Surname Lydon - Meaning and Origin
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Lydon: What does the surname Lydon mean?
Lydon is an Irish last name, derived from the Gaelic name "O'Laideain," which originates from the word "laoidh" meaning a stanza or a verse. Thus, the surname is often thought to be connected with the arts, particularly poetry or music. It is mainly found in the western province of Connacht, particularly in County Galway. The name was first recognized in Galway where they held a family seat from ancient times. Like many Irish surnames, various spellings of the name have been recorded throughout history, including Leyden, Lydon, and Lyden, among others. One reputable source suggests that the original bearer of the name was a bard, hinting again at a poetic or artistic lineage. This surname, like many other Irish surnames, is quite common globally due to the large Irish diaspora.
Order DNA origin analysisLydon: Where does the name Lydon come from?
The last name Lydon is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "O'Lidin" meaning "descendant of Lidean." The surname is associated with the province of Connacht in the West of Ireland, and specifically with the county of Galway, where the family held a family seat as Chiefs in Moycullen and in the barony of Ross.
The first recorded spelling of the family name is that of Teag O'Lydane, which was dated around 1585, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The name underwent various spelling changes over centuries, with versions including O’Lydon, Lydan, and Leyden, eventually settling predominantly as Lydon, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, the surname Lydon is still most common in Ireland, especially in the provinces of Connacht and Munster. There are also significant numbers of people with the surname in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, largely due to the Irish diaspora in the 19th and early 20th centuries. People with the surname Lydon have distinguished themselves in various fields, including arts, politics, and sport.
Variations of the surname Lydon
The surname Lydon is of Irish origin and has several variants and alternate spellings. It is believed to have originated from the Gaelic name "O'Laideain". This name is primarily found in Connacht, primarily in County Galway and Mayo.
Variants and alternate spellings of this surname can include Lidon, Ledon, Lydan, Liadan, and Lyddon. The surnames Leyden and Leydon could also be considered variants, especially as they are more common in County Clare. Other surnames such as Liddane, O'Lydane and O'Lydon are also based on the same Gaelic root, but include the traditional Irish prefix meaning "descendant of".
It is important to understand that variations in the spelling of the surname may have occurred due to a number of reasons such as translation from Gaelic to English, regional dialects and accents, and changes over time. Therefore, it's always possible to encounter different versions of the surname that haven't been listed here. Note that people with these surnames may or may not be related, as surnames in Ireland were often adopted based on a patriarch or matriarch's popular or respected status in a community.
Famous people with the name Lydon
- John Lydon: Musician, former lead singer of the English punk rock band the Sex Pistols.
- Joanne Lydon: British actress
- Tommy Lydon: Former Major League Baseball player
- Julian Lydon: British historian and professor of modern British history at University College London
- Peter Lydon: Former Irish politician
- Paul Lydon: American actor
- Richard Lydon: Former Canadian Supreme Court justice
- James Lydon: American actor
- Richard Lydon: Former New York state senator
- David Lydon: British musician and former member of the band Sham 69
- Robert Lydon: Former American professional basketball player
- Vincent Lydon: American actor and director
- Peter Lydon: Former Irish Senator
- Tom Lydon: Founder and CEO of ETF Investment Strategies
- Kevin Lydon: American attorney and former naval intelligence officer
- Breen Lydon: Former Irish-Australian jockey
- Gerald Lydon: American politician from New York
- Edmond Lydon: Irish author
- Liam Lydon: Irish lawyer and former political activist
- Pat Lydon: Irish former Labour Court judge