Surname Ladd - Meaning and Origin
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C. Ladd
read moreLadd: What does the surname Ladd mean?
The surname Ladd is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and derives from the Old English word "ladde," meaning a servant or a man of humble birth. The name evolved to "lade" in Middle English and then later to "laddie" in Scottish dialect, both of which refer to a young boy or a young man. Thus, Ladd could have been a nickname given to a person who worked as a servant, or it could denote a person's youthful demeanor or physical attributes. It could also be related to the geographical term "lode," referring to a watercourse or a road, suggesting that the name-bearer was someone who lived near such a place. The name became hereditary as the occupational and patronymic system evolved in English society. In recent times, the surname Ladd is found predominantly in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisLadd: Where does the name Ladd come from?
The surname Ladd is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English term "ladde" which means "manservant" or "attendant." The surname was used in Middle English to denote a servant or a young man of humble position, leading to usage as a surname. Less frequently, it may also be an occupational surname for someone who worked as a 'leader' or transporter of water and ale, from the Middle English 'lade,' or 'load.'
There may be a Scottish association as well, linked with the Scottish term "lad" or "laddie" indicating a young man. The name gained some usage in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but the majority of families carrying this surname are primarily in England.
Today, the name is quite common in the United States, England, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, the Ladd surname is particularly prevalent in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts, in line with the region's strong historical ties to England. However, it's important to note the global dispersion of surnames has resulted in Ladd becoming less concentrated over time.
Variations of the surname Ladd
The surname Ladd is of Anglo-Saxon origin and it means "assistant" or "servant". It originates from the Old English term "ladde" or "lad" implying a man of humble birth. It can be seen in old texts spelled variously as Ladde, Lade, or Ledde as spelling conventions weren’t standardized in the Middle Ages.
In the 13th century, "Ladd" evolved from a nickname to a surname, and it proliferated in many areas in England under different variants. One such derivation is Ladson, which suggests "son of Ladd." In Scotland, Ladd is rare but the surname Laidlaw, which carries similar connotations, is more common.
In the US, it's likely that other Germanic or Jewish surnames morphed into Ladd upon immigration due to similar pronunciation. For instance, the Jewish surname Ladin or the German surname Ladt.
Neo-Gaelic variants found in Ireland include O'Leathlobhair, Anglicized as Lawlor, which similarly traces back to meanings of humility and service.
It's clear that the 'Ladd' name tradition has permeated many cultures with its connotations of service and humble beginnings.
Famous people with the name Ladd
- Alan Ladd: renowned American actor, known for his roles in films such as Shane, The Great Gatsby, The Unforgiven, and other noteworthy Hollywood films.
- Diane Ladd: actress and producer, known for her works in Wild at Heart and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
- Cheryl Ladd: actress and singer, best known for her role as Kris Munroe in the television series Charlie's Angels.
- Jordan Ladd: actress, known for her roles in films such as Cabin Fever and Club Dread.
- David Ladd: actor and film producer, known for The Big Red One, Damien: Omen II, and Pacific Heights.
- Elliot Ladd: hockey player who currently plays for EG Heimsbirg in the ICE Hockey League AlpenLeague.
- Gale Ladd: actress known for her work in The Navigator.
- Alfred Blalock: American cardiac surgeon is known for his pioneering work on the Blalock-Taussig shunt, a procedure for treating congenital heart defects.
- Irina Ladd:Russian rogue trader who was found guilty for stealing $2 million from her employer and sentenced a prison for 4.5 years.
- Lewis Ladd: American physician and politician, he served as the Governor of Vermont from 1834 to 1836.