Surname Southart - Meaning and Origin

Southart: What does the surname Southart mean?

The last name Southart does not appear in traditional surname databases and therefore doesn't have a commonly recognized meaning. It's likely an anglicized or modern version of an older surname. Breaking down the name: 'South' implies a direction or region and 'art' could potentially reference a trade or skill, possibly indicating a family origin from the southern region who were skilled in a certain craft. However, without more concrete historical data, this is speculative. Southart might also be a unique or less common last name, possibly specific to a certain family or group. The exact meaning could also be personal or hold meaning only known to the family line. It is also important to remember that surnames can be influenced by many factors, including occupational names, geographical names, descriptive or nickname-based names, or names based on parentage. Therefore, etymology can often only give limited insights about the original meaning of a surname.

Southart: Where does the name Southart come from?

The Southart surname is most common today in the United Kingdom. According to a 2015 survey conducted by Ancestry.com, about 4,100 people in the UK bear the surname Southart. It is most common in the cities of London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds. The name is also found in the United States, but it is much less common-- only about 350 people in the US have the surname Southart. This could be due to the name's British origin.

The surname Southart is derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century "Suthred", later Southred, which is a form of the Anglo-Saxon name Southern (from the Olde English word "suthron"). An Anglo-Saxon noble named Southred was recorded in the year 1066 in the Domesday Survey of that year, suggesting that the name has existed in Britain since then.

In terms of etymology, Southart means "from the south" and could have been used to indicate someone who came from the south of England. It also may refer to a "southerner", someone from the south compared to the north.

The current spelling of Southart may have come about due to how British surnames evolved after the Norman Conquest of 1066. During that period, surnames ending in "–red" were converted to "–art". This is also may explain why the variation "Soward" is also seen in Britain and the United States, as "–ward" is another suffix derived from the Olde English "-red".

Overall, the Southart surname is more common today in the UK than in the US, and likely has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon period. The alternative spelling of "Soward" is also seen in both countries, indicating the evolution the name has gone through over the centuries.

Variations of the surname Southart

The Southart surname can be traced to multiple countries and cultures. In England, it is thought to have been popularised by Cornish families' adoption or usage of several variations on the surname. These include: Southard, Southward, Southwood, Southwarde, and Sothard.

In Ireland, the surname is thought to have originated from a Norman family who adopted the surname during the 14th Century. The variations there include Sothard, Southard, and Southwood.

In Scotland, the name is thought to have developed from the Old English "sud", meaning south, with variations including Sithard and Sudhard.

In Germany, the Southart surname is thought to have developed from the Dutch Soutard, which in turn originates from the Middle German Suthard. Variations here include such diminutives as Suthhard, Suthardt, Suthard, and Suthardtm.

In Poland, the surname is thought to have developed from the Slavic "Budry," and variations include Budrys, Budroy, and Budra.

In France, one variant of the Southart surname is Souchard. It is thought to have derived from the Old French "souche," which means trunk of a tree.

Finally, in the United States, the Southart surname is thought to have derived from the Dutch Soutard. Variations there include such spellings as Sougart and Southerd.

Famous people with the name Southart

• Lee Southard: American actor known for his roles in The Young and the Restless, The Big Bang Theory, and Death Valley.
• Doug Southard: American professional baseball pitcher who previously played for the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, and Philadelphia Phillies.
• Shawn Southard: American mixed martial artist fighter who competed in the Bellator Fighting Championships.
• Dr. Stephen Southard: American director and professor of communication sciences and disorders at Marshall University.
• Jaeda Southard: American YouTuber who creates vegan and lifestyle videos.
• Billy Southard: American musician multi-instrumentalist, lead singer/guitarist of the band Kings Never Surrender.
• Amanda Southard: American publisher and assistant professor of creative writing at Full Sail University.
• Mackenzie Southard: American professional snowboarder who competes in slopestyle, superpipe, big air, and halfpipe events.
• Carson Southard: American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, known for her solo albums and collaborations with the folk-rock band The Soft Fires.
• Mandy Southard: American certified yoga instructor, vegan lifestyle coach and health enthusiast.

Other surnames

SouthallSouthard