Surname Ludlow - Meaning and Origin

Ludlow: What does the surname Ludlow mean?

The last name Ludlow originates from the English town of Ludlow in the county of Shropshire. The name likely derived from the Old English words hlude, meaning ‘noise’ or ‘hollowness’, and hlaw, meaning ‘hill’. Therefore, the name Ludlow can be roughly translated to mean ‘Hollow Hill’.

The Ludlow family predates the Norman invasion of 1066 and is first recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086, as the occupiers of Ludlow. During the Medieval period, Ludlow was an important administrative center and strategic military location, situated close to the Welsh borderlands.

The earliest recorded member of the Ludlow family was Sir Stephen de Ludlow, who owned considerable estates in Shropshire and Worcestershire during the reign of Henry III. The Ludlow family was influential in the area for centuries, with various members playing important roles in Ludlow’s government and economy.

In genealogical research today, the Ludlow surname still remains prevalent, and the family’s roots remain traced back to the small town of Ludlow. The town and its heritage remain of much importance to the Ludlow family today.

Ludlow: Where does the name Ludlow come from?

The last name Ludlow is most commonly found in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the name is found especially in the northeast region; namely, in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.

The first Ludlow in the United States were of English descent and the name was first recorded in the year 1636 in Dedham, Massachusetts. Today there are thousands of Americans with the last name Ludlow throughout the country.

In the United Kingdom, the most common areas of origin for the Ludlow surname are Shropshire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. There are records of the name dating back to the 12th century in these areas.

Today, those with the last name Ludlow are scattered throughout England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, making the Ludlow name one of the most widespread in Britain.

Despite its commonness, the handling and rendition of the name “Ludlow” has been arguably more unique and distinctive than many other similar surnames. For example, there are several variations of the name such as Luddlum, Luddlem, Ludlam, and Luddington.

At the end of the day, the unique spelling variations and localized patterns of distribution makes the last name Ludlow a truly global phenomenon and a source of pride for all its carriers.

Variations of the surname Ludlow

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Ludlow are:

Ludlowe, Luddelow, Ludlow, Luddell, Ludwell, Luddal, Lidel, Liddall, Liddel, Liddle, Luddall, Liddlee, Liddelow, Luddol, Ludel, Luitel, Luttel, and Luttrell.

The surname Ludlow is a habitational name, derived from the town of Ludlow in Shropshire, located on the River Teme. The name is thought to derive from an Old Welsh personal name, 'Llwyd', meaning 'grey', combined with 'hlāw', meaning 'hill'. It is an ancient name, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.

The first bearer of the name is thought to have been one Orm Ludelaw, recorded in the Anglo Saxon Wills of 1147. It was also recorded in the Assize Rolls of Buckinghamshire in 1290, when Henry de Ludlow was listed. The name is found in many forms during the Middle Ages, including Luitel and Luttel in the Staffordshire Husting Rolls of 1255.

The variants of the surname Ludlow include Ludlowe, Luddelow, Ludwell, Luddal, and Lidel. Ludel, Luddall, Liddlee, Liddelow, and Luddol are still found in parts of the United Kingdom today. Luttel and Luttrell were also common variants in the region.

Famous people with the name Ludlow

• Miles Ludlow, professional lacrosse player
• Jack Ludlow, actor who was in The Brain Strainer, The Bad Man's Bricklayer, and Rose of the Rancho
• Gary Ludlow, founder of United Animal Health
• Garry L. Ludlow, cinematographer, director, production designer
• Robert Ludlow, English actor
• Christopher Ludlow, English singer and songwriter
• Christine Ludlow, Australian artist and prolific illustrator
• Mary A. Ludlow, archaeologist, geographer and demographer
• Jonathan Ludlow, British professional golfer
• J. R. Ludlow, English engineer and educator
• John E. Ludlow, American marine aviator and naval commander
• Thomas B. Ludlow, American politician
• Lady Sarah Ludlow, English philanthropist
• Yale Ludlow, American composer and conductor

Other surnames

Ludloff