Surname Liddal - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Liddal: What does the surname Liddal mean?
The surname Liddal is of English origin and is derived from a locational name. The English "liddel" refers to a "loud valley" or a "valley with a noisy river". It could have been used to reference individuals dwelling near such geographical features. Notably, there is a Liddel Water - a river that flows on the border between Scotland and England, this indicates that the surname could also have geographical roots in this specific location. Similar to many other surnames, people began to use it as a means to identify themselves with their geographical origin or place of residence. Please note that surname meanings can vary as they originate over centuries from various sources.
Order DNA origin analysisLiddal: Where does the name Liddal come from?
The last name Liddal is of British origin. It is said to have derived from the Old Norse personal name "Hlidh" and "dalr", which translate to "slope" and "valley" respectively. The name suggests that the original bearers resided in or near such a geographical feature. The surname first appeared in records in the early 13th century in Cumberland, England. There were also several places named Liddel in border regions of England and Scotland, which could have contributed to the surname.
Today, the variant forms of the name, including Liddle, Lydal, Liddele, Liddall, and Liddell, make it challenging to track the exact distribution of the name. However, it is generally less common. According to surname distribution data, the Liddal surname is most prevalent in the United States. It may also be found, although less commonly, in England, Canada, and Australia. But, it must be noted that it is not among the most frequently found surnames in these countries.
Variations of the surname Liddal
The surname Liddal originates from Scotland and Northern England. Various spellings of this surname have emerged over time due to different factors, such as regional dialects and phonetic spelling by clerks or other officials. Variations of the surname Liddal include Liddell, Liddle, Lydell, Lydle, Liddall, Lidell, Lidall, Lydall, and Lyddall. These different spellings could have been used interchangeably for the same family in historical records.
A surname that shares the same origin, but has evolved quite distinctly, is the name "Lidell." Renowned individuals bear this variant, such as the English musician Jamie Lidell. Additionally, Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon, a prominent Greek-English dictionary, further highlights another variant with similar roots.
The root of these surnames is thought to be derived from the Old English word “hlith” meaning 'slope' and indicates the geographic location where ancestors resided. Further variations could possibly exist in other languages where the name has been adopted or anglicized.
Given the movements of people over time and alterations in recording practices, tracking surnames is quite complex and this list is not exhaustive but provides an overview of the main variants associated with the surname Liddal.
Famous people with the name Liddal
- Kaley Cuoco Liddell, American actress, producer, and author
- Luther Liddell, South African cricketer
- Duncan Liddell, Scottish footballer
- Zac Liddell, Australian professional golfer
- David Liddell, British Anglican bishop
- Richard Liddell, 1st Baron Ravensworth, British politician
- Robert Liddell, Bishop of Barbados
- Harold Liddell, British courtier, accountant, and politician
- Doug Liddell, CFL player
- Hugh Niven Liddell, Scottish admiral and civil servant