Surname Lightell - Meaning and Origin
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Lightell: What does the surname Lightell mean?
The last name Lightell is derived from a combination of two Old English words, leoht (which means ‘light’ or ‘bright’) and wella (meaning ‘spring’). As such, the name can be interpreted to mean ‘spring of light’ or ‘light well’, both of which suggest a location or feature of physical illumination. This interpretation is confirmed by historical records linking the name to locations with names such as 'Lootwaell' (Old English for 'bright spring') located in Yorkshire, England.
The last name Lightell is believed to have been first used by the Anglo-Saxon settlers of Britain in the early Middle Ages. The family has since spread throughout the British Isles and beyond, with many people bearing the name migrating to the United States during the 1800s and early 1900s.
The name Lightell has close connections to Christianity, having been used by figures such as Bishop Robert Lightell of Southwark in the 19th century. This is consistent with the interpretation of the name, as it suggests that those of the Lightell family are associated with being a source of illumination – both literal and metaphorical.
The name Lightell is both unique and inspiring. It carries with it the essence of potential, of hope, and of guidance – a reminder to those who bear it of the importance of being a source of light for others.
Order DNA origin analysisLightell: Where does the name Lightell come from?
The last name Lightell is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the United States Census Bureau, there were 1,637 people with the last name Lightell in the United States in 2020. The majority of Lightells (744 individuals) were living in California, followed by Florida with 533 individuals, and North Carolina with 182 individuals.
The name Lightell is of Spanish origin, with many American immigrants with this name deriving from the early Spanish settlers in the United States. The surname is also associated with people of English origin, with some families arriving in the United States as early as the 1600s. Many Lightells originated from the Pacific Northwest, and there are notable Lightell families in Oregon and Washington.
Lightells have also been found in other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The Lightell name is particularly rare in Great Britain, where there are fewer than 100 individuals bearing the name. As of 2020, Australia is home to only 36 individuals with this surname.
Overall, the last name Lightell is most prominently found in the United States, although its presence is small in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Lightell
Variations of the surname Lightell include Lightle, Lighten, Lighting, Lightner, Lighton, Lightfoot, Lightwood, Lighthill, and Lightbody.
Lightle is a variation that is very closely related to the surname Lightell, most likely deriving from it. It is a variant spelling of Lightell, and can also be spelled Lightl. It is found mainly in England, with earliest records appearing around 1620.
Lighten is an Irish variant of Lightell, and appears to be an anglicized version of McLoughlin. It is derived from the medieval given name Lochlainn, meaning “warlike”. The earliest records of the surname are found during the Plantation of Ireland in the early 17th century.
Lighting is a less common variation of Lightell, often found in the form of Lightoing or Lightonng. This spelling appears to be a phonetic variation of Lightell, and is mainly found in England. There are records of the surname appearing as early as 1637 in Devon.
Lightner is another variant of Lightell and is most commonly found in Pennsylvania. It is believed to have been derived from the old German name Licht and is also a variation of the name Lichtenauer.
Lighton is derived from the Old English word lēoht. It is believed to be a variation of Lightell and is mainly found in England and Scotland. The earliest records of this surname date back to 1612 in Suffolk.
Lightfoot is most likely a variation of the surname Lightell and is found mainly in England. It is derived from the Middle English līhtfot, meaning “light-footed”, and is an occupational name given to someone who was quick on their feet.
Lightwood is another variant of Lightell, and may also be spelled Lightwoode or Lightwoode. It appears to be a habitational name given to people who lived near a forest or wood with a lot of light. There are records of this surname as early as 1607 in England.
Lighthill is a variation of Lightell, thought to have been derived from the Old English lēoht and hyll, meaning “light hill”. It is mainly found in England, and the earliest records of the surname date back to 1589 in Oxfordshire.
Lightbody is a variant of Lightell that is thought to be derived from the Old English līht and boda, meaning “light messenger”. It is mainly found in Scotland and the earliest recorded date of the surname is 1604 in Aberdeen.
Famous people with the name Lightell
- Patrick Lightell: Patrick Lightell was a popular American actor who is best known for his roles in The Twilight Zone, The Wild Wild West and Superboy.
- Bryan Lightell: Bryan Lightell is a comedy writer and actor who has won two Emmy Awards. He is also the creator of the popular show, Last Man Standing.
- Cory Lightell: Cory Lightell is a former professional basketball player who played for the Orlando Magic.
- Ken Lightell: Ken Lightell is an American entrepreneur who founded the IT solutions company Lightell Technologies.
- Chris Lightell: Chris Lightell is an American singer-songwriter who is best known for his powerful voice and unique songwriting style.
- Bill Lightell: Bill Lightell is an American screenwriter who wrote films such as Stuart Little and Robots.
- Jeff Lightell: Jeff Lightell is a famous American music producer and composer. He has worked with various artists, including Bruno Mars and Rihanna.
- Jan Lightell: Jan Lightell is a visual artist specializing in illustration and graphic design. She has done work for publications such as Wired and The Washington Post.
- Dominic Lightell: Dominic Lightell is a British mechanical engineer who has worked with projects like the Eurofighter Typhoon.
- William Lightell: William Lightell is a talented American saxophone player who has performed with the likes of John Coltrane and Branford Marsalis.