Surname Liddll - Meaning and Origin

Liddll: What does the surname Liddll mean?

The surname Liddell is of Scottish origin, specifically from the border region between Scotland and England. It derives from the name of a river and valley area known as Liddesdale, near the border between the two countries. The original spelling was "Lillesdal," where "dal" refers to a valley, and "Lilles" is a derivative of "litle," indicating the little or lesser valley. Over time, the name evolved into Liddell. It is thus considered a geographical or locational surname, typically given to individuals who resided in or came from that area. The surname Liddell was first recorded in the 12th century and has since spread around the world due to migration and diaspora. Notable figures bearing this surname include Alice Liddell, the inspiration behind Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," as well as various athletes, academics, and public personalities.

Liddll: Where does the name Liddll come from?

The surname Liddell has its origins in Scotland and northern England. It is derived from a place name, specifically from the region surrounding the River Liddel in Roxburghshire, Scotland. The name literally means "one who came from Liddel", with "Liddel" being a diminutive form of the Old English given name Lideard or "lily valley".

Significance of the surname was started by the Scottish Liddell family, where generations served as royal physicians in Scotland and England. The family also influenced English literature, when Alice Liddell inspired Lewis Carroll to write "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland".

Today, the surname Liddell is found not only in Scotland and England but also in countries where Scottish and English people emigrated. These countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, it's not amongst the most common surnames. In recent times, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell has brought some prominence to the name, particularly in the United States.

Variations of the surname Liddll

The surname Liddll has a few variants, most of them related to the main spelling. These include Liddle, Lyddle, Lyddall, Lydell, Liddel, Lydall, Liddale, and Lyddle.

These variations mainly stem from the way names were often recorded as they were pronounced, as spelling and literacy were not widely common in the Medieval era when surnames began to be used in England.

The name Liddll is believed to be derived from the Old English pre 7th Century "hlid", meaning slope, and "hyll," which means hill, indicating that the family lived near a hillside.

In Scotland, the name can be derived from a place in Roxburgh named as "Liddel," pronounced as Lyddle and thus spelled in a similar way. It's also a name of a river in the Border region named Liddel Water.

As for associated names, Liddell is a surname of the same origin and it, too, has its variations in spelling, which include Lidell, Liddall, and Lidill.

The name is also sometimes registered in the form of Lydiel, which may have the same or similar Old English geographic origin.

Famous people with the name Liddll

• Warren Liddle: American racecar driver, two-time Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year
• Jonathan Liddle: British former footballer for numerous teams, now a coach
• Julian Liddle: British rally driver and winner of the Dakar Rally in 2011
• David Liddell: Scottish poet and novelist
• Mark Liddell: British sportsman and manager, also an investor, broadcaster, and entrepreneur
• Karina Liddell: British television presenter, journalist, and author
• Richard Liddell: American actor and stuntman
• Christopher Liddell: New Zealand-American businessman and former White House official
• Rupert Liddell: Australian actor and musician
• Lucy Liddle: British actress, known for her roles in EastEnders and The Bill

Other surnames

Liddle