Surname Ludden - Meaning and Origin
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Ludden: What does the surname Ludden mean?
The surname Ludden is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname, O Luidhin, meaning "descendant of Luidhin." This Gaelic name is derived from the personal name Lugaidh, which was an ancient Irish male forename, related to the Old Irish god Lugh and the Welsh mythological figure Lleu Llaw Gyffes.
The surname has its origins in County Mayo in the Province of Connacht, in the western part of the Republic of Ireland. It is mainly found in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This suggests that the name was taken to the US by Irish immigrants during the 19th century.
The meaning of Lugaidh’s name itself is far from certain, with most linguists agreeing it either means Celebrated Host or Shining One. One of Lugh’s most important attributes was hospitality, so the first interpretation is common.
Some spelling variations of the name include Ludin, Ludden, Lodden, Ludden, Luedden, and Ludden.
The Ludden surname is associated with a strong sense of Irish identity and of belonging to an ancestral homeland. Those who bear the name often draw pride from the fact that their ancestors sacrificed much to create a better life in a new country.
Order DNA origin analysisLudden: Where does the name Ludden come from?
The last name Ludden is predominantly found in Scotland and Ireland today. In Scotland, it is most commonly found in the West Central Lowlands region. It is also found in other parts of the British Isles, such as England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as on the European continent. It is less common in other parts of the world; in the United States, there are fewer than 500 Luddens, with the majority located in California, Texas, and New York.
The origins of the name Ludden are uncertain, but it is believed to have come from either an Old English or Old Norse word. It is possible that the Ludden family originated in Scotland, as the language of the area had Norse roots. It is also likely that the name was adopted by norman settlers who arrived in the 11th century.
Other than Scotland, Ireland, and the British Isles, the name Ludden is generally quite rare, and it is not particularly common in surnames today. The name appears to have been recorded in ancient documents from the late middle ages, with the earliest documented spelling being Ludden. Over time, the name likely evolved to become the common spelling of the name, and it is likely that the concentration of people with this surname in certain areas are a result of this evolution process.
Variations of the surname Ludden
The surname Ludden has multiple variants and spellings due to its varied origins. Common variations of the surname Ludden include Liddon, Lyddon, Ludden, Luddon, Leaden, Leden, and Leeden. It is among the many Irish surnames that were Anglicized from Gaelic forms.
In some cases, the surname could be of Scottish lineage, and thus have its origins in the placename Lyddan, in the county of Roxburgh on the Scottish Borders. The name is derived from the Old English words ‘hlid or hlad’, meaning either “place of shelter” or “meadow.”
As is common among Irish surnames, some variants of Ludden have alternate spellings, such as Littin, Ludin, and Loughton. These alternate spellings likely arise from the regional dialects of Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and English.
In Ireland, the Ludden surname may have originated from the Gaelic name ‘Lochruidh’, meaning “Swift” or “Quick”. This surname and its variants are found particularly in Ulster, primarily in counties such as Donegal, Fermanagh, and Tyrone.
In some cases, the name may also originate from more than one language, leading to two separate branches of the same family having different spellings of the surname. For example, the family of Ludden in Donegal originates from the Gaelic ‘Lachtnain’, while the family of Ludden from Fermanagh originates from both Gaelic and English words ‘Lachtnain’ and ‘Louthon’.
It is clear that the surname of Ludden has multiple spellings and variants due to its varied origins. The surnames of Liddon, Lyddon, Ludden, Luddon, Leaden, Leden, and Leeden all stem from the same root, whether Gaelic, Old English or a combination of both.
Famous people with the name Ludden
- Betty White (stage name, real name: Betty Marie White Ludden)– Betty White is an Emmy-winning actress, comedian, and television host who has been in the entertainment industry for well over seven decades. She is best known for her starring role in the sitcom The Golden Girls and continues to be a beloved public figure.
- Patrick Ludden: Patrick Ludden is an Australian rugby union player who is currently playing for the New South Wales Waratahs and represents his country in national games. He is well-known for his speed and skill as a winger.
- Jane Ludden: Jane Ludden is an American poet and author of numerous plays and books. She is best-known for her collection of poetry titled The Shipping News and for her 1994 play Winter Work.
- Geena Davis: Geena Davis is an Academy Award-winning actress and the founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. She is best known for her roles in The Accidental Tourist, Beetlejuice, and A League of their Own.
- Michael Ludden: Michael Ludden is a British actor who is best known for his roles in the films Primrose Hill and Kill Me Now. He is also a musician and songwriter.
- Maurice Ludden: Maurice Ludden is a retired American professional basketball player who spent his playing career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) between the 1960s and 1970s. He played with the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks.
- PJ Ludden: PJ Ludden is a teen pop singer from Portland, Oregon, USA. She is known for her upbeat tunes and catchy lyrics.