Surname Laundry - Meaning and Origin

Laundry: What does the surname Laundry mean?

The last name Laundry is of French origin, and it was historically the name given to those who were in the occupation of cleaning and pressing fabrics. The name likely derived from the Norman French “lauder” or “ laundrer”, which meant “launderer” in Old French. In the Middle Ages, laundry was a skill that was passed from generation to generation, and many families in France made it their livelihood.

The Laundry family may have originated in the area now known as Caen, a region in Northwest France. In the 16th century, laundry businesses were common there, particularly in the castles and palaces of the nobility. As tradespeople, the Laundry family likely provided valuable services to the wealthy, which in turn provided them with financial security and a chance to be respected members of their community.

In the subsequent centuries, the Laundry family traveled from France to the United States. There, they continued their laundry trade and eventually established their own businesses. Sometimes, that included launderettes or dry cleaning shops, but it often also entailed pressing sheets and towels for hotel and motel chains. The Laundry’s diligence and hard work enabled them to become among the most successful businesses in their respective fields.

Today, the Laundry family is still found around the world, and the name continues to represent a tradition of hard work and success. The name is a reminder of the legacy of the generation that put everything they had into a craft they deeply cared for. Although the laundry business has evolved with the times, the Laundry family still remains unswervingly loyal to its roots.

Laundry: Where does the name Laundry come from?

The last name Laundry is most common today in England and Ireland. It is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages when people with this surname took to working in and managing laundry businesses. In Ireland, the name is an anglicisation of the Gaelic name "O'Londraith", meaning "servant of the followers of Londraith".

In England, the name is thought to have originated from a place name and is first found in the records in the mid-thirteenth century. A twelfth-century document recorded the family as "Landri" living in the city of York.

The surname Laundry is still very common in England today, with over 3,000 people sharing the surname in England alone. In the United States, the surname is also found, with an estimated 1,000 people sharing the surname across the country.

Although it is not recorded in the census, the surname is particularly associated with the city of Liverpool, with many records showing the family being particularly prominent there. Liverpool is often considered a city of opportunity, and it is possible that the family moved here to take advantage of the city's bustling port and the jobs available there.

Overall, the surname Laundry is most common in England and Ireland today, but it can also be found in the United States. It is associated with the city of Liverpool, showing that the family likely moved there for opportunity, and it is likely that the family has been involved in the running and management of laundry businesses throughout the centuries.

Variations of the surname Laundry

The surname Laundry has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these variants include Laundrie, Launderie, Landerie, Landry, Landrie, Launder, Lawndry, Leawndry, Laoundry, Loundrey, Loundry, and Laundrye.

The Laundry spelling is usually associated with British origin, and is believed to come from the Middle English word 'laundrie', which is a form of the Old French word 'landuri'. This is associated with housekeeping and laundry, indicating the family may have held an occupation dealing with washing, cleaning, or bleaching of clothing, blankets, and household linens.

The variant spellings of Laundrie, Launderie, Landerie, Landry, and Landrie are typically associated with French origin. It is believed to originate from the Old French word 'landri', which means 'land holder' or a landowner. The family who held this surname may have had ownership of rural land or a large estate.

The variants Launder, Lawndry, Leawndry, Laoundry, Loundrey, and Loundry are believed to have an English origin. This version of the surname is believed to possibly be derived from the word 'lonsdre', which was a term for a flat-bottomed boat used for river transport or fishing. It is believed that families with this version of the surname may have held a trade involving this type of transport or fishing.

Finally, the variant spelling Laundrye is believed to have both French and English origin, possibly deriving from a combination of the previous two variants. The family with this surname may have either been holders of rural lands or had involvement in the transport or fishing trade.

Famous people with the name Laundry

• Charlie Laundry: British actor, best known for his role in Game of Thrones and The Crown
• Carlos Laundry: Spanish soccer player who has played for FC Barcelona
• David Laundry: Canadian architect, designer of Montreal's tallest skyscraper
• Leticia Laundry: Brazilian actress and singer
• Gordon Laundry: British actor starring in Rotters' Club and The Revenant
• Kyle Laundry: American basketball player who has played for the Philadelphia 76ers
• Chuck Laundry: American comedian and Saturday Night Live castmember
• John Laundry: English photographer and winner of the Sony World Photography Awards
• Michelle Laundry: Australian scientist and award-winning scientific communicator
• Daniel Laundry: French fashion designer and creative director of Louis Vuitton menswear collections

Other surnames

Laundy