Surname Wadlow - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wadlow: What does the surname Wadlow mean?
The surname Wadlow is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational name derived from an old place in England known as "Wadehlawe". This place name is composed of the Old English pre 7th-century elements "wæd" which means "ford" (a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across) and "hlaw" meaning "hill", "mound" or "tumulus". So, the surname could literally mean "hill by the ford". Since locational surnames were often taken by those who moved from their birthplace to reside elsewhere, it is plausible that the original bearers of the Wadlow surname were people who moved away from such a location. Variations of the surname include Wadlowe, Wadelow, Wadelowe among others. Like many surnames tracing their roots back to ancient times, interpretations may vary. The use of surnames was not common until after the Norman Conquest in 1066, and it was then that names as we know them today began to be used. Therefore, each interpretation should be considered a best possible explanation but not a definitive one.
Order DNA origin analysisWadlow: Where does the name Wadlow come from?
The last name Wadlow is a common surname found predominantly in the United Kingdom. It is most commonly found in the areas of Lancashire, Middlesex, North Yorkshire, and Surrey.
It is also found commonly in Australia and America. Wadlow is believed to be of English origin and is derived from the Old English name "Wadlow". It is thought to be a habitational name from Wadlow or Wadlowe, the modern town in Cheshire.
In 2018, the top ten places for the surname Wadlow in the UK were mostly in the Midlands and Central England. Northamptonshire had the highest concentration of the name with more than one thousand people with the surname living in the county. Other than Northamptonshire there were more than one hundred residents with the last name living in each county in the top ten; East Sussex, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Gloucestershire, and Cambridgeshire.
The name Wadlow can also be found in the English-speaking world, including Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. In the US, most of the Americans bearing this name can be found in states such as California, Ohio, New York, and Texas. As most surnames, different branches of the family exist within different countries, bearing the same last name.
Variations of the surname Wadlow
The surname Wadlow evolved from multiple sources, including the Old English personal name Wadloff and the Middle English spelling Wadlaw. Both of these variations are compounded from the words “Wad,” meaning “to pledge or to wager,” and “loff,” meaning “people.”
Wadlow, which is the most common spelling, can also be spelled as Wadlowe, Wadlew, Wadleigh, Wadley, Wendell, Weddall, Waddell, Weddle, Weddlea, Wedler, Wedlow and Wedley. Some less common variants of this surname include Weddlo, Wedlea, Waddelow and Wededell.
The numerous variations of this surname shed light on its complex heritage. In the United States, some of the earliest records of the Wadlow name date back to the colonial era, and the various spellings indicate that Wadlows have been present in multiple countries throughout the world for many years.
In addition, families with the surname Wadlow often have other similar surnames, such as Widd:ow, Widau, Widu, Widow, Wydeow, and others that are related to the original Wadlow spelling.
Overall, the variations and spellings of the Wadlow surname showcase its rich and diverse history from a variety of cultures and countries. It sits at the core of many Wadlow family trees, as its strong presence throughout the ages creates a way to trace the family’s history and legacy.
Famous people with the name Wadlow
- Robert Wadlow: Robert Wadlow was the tallest person in history, officially confirmed by the Guinness World Records. He lived from 1918 to 1940 and was from the United States.
- Harold Wadlow: Harold Wadlow was an American philosopher, author, and educator, who was the dean and professor of philosophy at The University of Texas at Austin.
- Al Wadlow: Al Wadlow was an American professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1943 to 1946.
- Olson Wadlow: Olson Wadlow is an American actor and comedian most known for his role in the film, Crossroads.
- Kenneth Wadlow: Kenneth Wadlow was known as "The Voice of Birmingham" and was an American radio host, best known for hosting the popular "Sunday Morning Jazz Brunch" show on WAQY.
- Omer Wadlow: Omer Wadlow is an American football coach, currently serving as the special teams coordinator for the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football.
- Troy Wadlow: Troy Wadlow is an American football coach and former player, currently serving as the offensive line coach for the Houston Texans of the National Football League.
- David J. Wadlow: David J. Wadlow was an American lawyer who served as the managing partner of the law firm, Southerland & Gwathmey.
- Cassandra Wadlow: Cassandra Wadlow is an entrepreneur, usually known by the moniker “Cassy Wadlow”, who has held prominent positions on a variety of Venture Capital-funded companies.