Surname Lauderdale - Meaning and Origin
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Lauderdale: What does the surname Lauderdale mean?
The last name 'Lauderdale' is believed to be a topographic surname from Old English, originating from Scotland. It specifically denotes someone who lived near a riverbank, likely inspired by the Lauder Water in Scotland or something similar in England.
The origin of the name could have multiple interpretations, such as a reference to the person's place of residence or simply a physical description of the landscape near the person's home. It could also be a description of the scale and abundance of the riverbank's meadows and pastures, most likely derived from the words 'lauwere' and 'dael' in Old English which meant 'long meadow' or 'low valley'.
In modern times, the last name 'Lauderdale' can be found in many countries, but is particularly common in Scotland and the United Kingdom. It is sometimes also seen in America, Australia and Canada as a result of migration from Scotland and England.
The name 'Lauderdale' is an attractive, meaningful and unique surname which is sure to stand out from the crowd. Its roots go back centuries and are likely to remain in family trees for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisLauderdale: Where does the name Lauderdale come from?
The last name Lauderdale is commonly found in the United States, Canada, and Scotland.
In the United States, the last name is most heavily concentrated in the states of Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama. According to the 2000 census, there are over 1,000 people living in American households with Lauderdale as a last name.
In Canada, the last name is most heavily concentrated in the province of Ontario and the city of Toronto. It is also frequently found in British Columbia and Alberta. It is believed that many of the Canadian families with the Lauderdale name arrived there around the time of the American Revolution, when many settlers of Scots-Irish heritage moved north to escape persecution in the colonies.
In Scotland, the name is found mainly in the south of the country, particularly in the Borders area and the city of Edinburgh. The first recorded use of the name Lauderdale in Scotland was in 1294, when a John de Lauderdale was listed as a witness to a land transaction near Coldstream.
All in all, the history of the Lauderdale name shows a global dispersal, with connections to both the United States and Scotland as well as Canada. As such, it's a name that can be found in many parts of the world today.
Variations of the surname Lauderdale
The origin of the surname Lauderdale dates back to the 11th century in Scotland, with some variants of the name being found in records from the period. The name is derived from territorial origins, referring to the area around a castle known as ‘the Laweders’, in Scotland.
The most common variant of the surname currently found is Lauderdale. Variants of spelling include Lorader, Lawderdale, Lawderdaille, Lawderdaill, Lawden, Lourderdaill and Lourderdail.
Surnames of similar origin include: Lauders, Louterell, Loder, Lauder, Lawder, and Lauderdail. These have all been linked to the early territorial area of the same name.
The surname Lauderdale has a long and varied history, with many different spellings and variants of the same origin. Those who carry the name can trace their ancestry back to the 11th century in Scotland, when the area of Lauderdale was first mentioned. It’s possible to find different spellings of the name in records from throughout the centuries, with many of them still being used today.
Famous people with the name Lauderdale
- Stephen Lauderdale: American lawyer, politician, and Tennessee Supreme Court Justice from 1986 to 2006
- Kalpana Chawla: American astronaut and aeronautical engineer from Karnal, India; one of the seven crew members killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003
- Michael Lauderdale: American musician, sculptor, painter and songwriter
- Robert Lauderdale: Scottish civil engineer and railroad magnate who founded the Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway
- Debra Winger: American actress born in Cleveland Heights, Ohio
- Barry Lauderdale: American country music singer-songwriter
- Winifred Lauder-Frost: British artist active in the mid-20th century
- Elyse Willems: Canadian YouTube personality and television presenter
- Langley Lauderdale: Retired United States Navy Vice Admiral
- David Lauderdale: American journalist, author, historian, and radio personality from South Carolina