Surname Laughlin - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
A DNA Journey with iGENEA: Rethinking My Family Legacy & The Surname Laughlin
Engaging with iGENEA for a DNA test redefined my understanding of my family history and surname Laughlin. The anticipation, excitement, and undeniable sense of liberty the results brought with them reshaped my view about family legacies. It was an emotional and transformative journey that made me feel more connected to my ancestors.
Z. Laughlin
read moreLaughlin: What does the surname Laughlin mean?
The last name Laughlin is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "O'Lachtnain" or "Lochlainn". It carries the meaning of "from Norway" or "Viking." During ancient times, many Norsemen settled in parts of Ireland, and local people named them "Lochlann," meaning "land of the lakes" in Irish, which eventually evolved into "Laughlin." It represents a connection to Irish history, indicating that the ancestors of people who carry this name could have been from the Viking crowd who made Ireland their home. The name gained popularity as a given name, family name, and clan name across Ireland and Scotland, and its variants include Loughlin, O’Laughlin, McLaughlin, etc. Over the centuries, the name Laughlin spread around the world through migration, especially in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisLaughlin: Where does the name Laughlin come from?
The surname Laughlin is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "O Lochlainn" which means "descendant of Lochlainn". Originally, it was a given name used to describe someone from Norway (Viking settlers). Since the Vikings had a profound influence on Ireland during the Middle Ages, it naturally evolved into a surname in these regions.
The original form of the surname O Lochlainn was used predominantly in County Clare and County Galway on Ireland's western seaboard. However, British anglicization processes in later centuries led to several versions of the surname, including Laughlin, Loughlin, and O'Loughlin.
Today, Laughlin is mostly found in English-speaking countries including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that Laughlin is the 1,315 most common surname. It is particularly prevalent in the states of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, and Texas. Despite the spread of the surname, a significant proportion of those bearing the last name Laughlin can still trace their ancestries back to Ireland.
Variations of the surname Laughlin
The surname Laughlin is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Lochlainn". The name has gone through several variations in spelling as a result of linguistic adaptation across different cultures and regions. Some common variants include Loughlin, O'Loughlin, McLaughlin, Lochlan, and Lachlan.
In Irish tradition, prefixes such as "O" and "Mac/Mc" are added to represent "grandson of" or "descendant of," thus resulting in surnames like O'Loughlin and McLaughlin.
Another variant, Lochlann, was used to denote the Vikings who settled in Ireland, often referred to as the 'Norse of Lochlann'. Later, the name was anglicized to Lachlan and then Laughlin in Scotland particularly among descendants of these Viking settlers.
These names can also be found as surnames or given names as traditionally, Irish and Scottish people commonly use family names as first names. So, Lochlan, Lachlan, Laughlin can be used as first names too.
It's worth noting that although they share similar spellings and pronunciation, Laughlin and its variants should not be confused with the distinct Irish surnames Ó Leocháin or Mac Lauchlan, which have different etymological origins and histories.
Famous people with the name Laughlin
- Jim Laughlin: American basketball coach, who was head coach of the Detroit Pistons in the 1992-93 and the 1993-94 seasons.
- Richard Laughlin: American bassist, who was a member of the rock band Foreigner in the early 1990s.
- Billy Laughlin: American actor, who was a child star in the 1930s and 1940s, best known for playing the character Froggy in The Little Rascals.
- Tricia Laughlin Bloom: American actress, who was best known for her roles on The Love Boat and Growing Pains.
- Wendy Laughlin: English television presenter, who co-presented the BBC show Songs of Praise and Real Rooms.
- Mike Laughlin: American basketball coach, who was part of the UNC coaching staff from 1989 to 1993.
- John Laughlin Jr.: American film producer, who collaborated with director Brian De Palma in multiple films, including Scarface and The Untouchables.
- Steve Laughlin: American politician, who represented the 36th Congressional District of Washington from 1997 until his retirement in 2003.
- Ethel Laughlin: Canadian actress, best known for her performance in the Canadian television series Crossing Jordan.
- William Laughlin: American architect best known for designing the various towers of the Golden Gate Bridge.