Surname Loftis - Meaning and Origin

Loftis: What does the surname Loftis mean?

Loftis is an English surname with medieval English and Norwegian roots. The name is geographic, stemming from the Old Norse word "lopt-hus," which translates to "air house" or "upper house", most likely used to refer to those who dwelt in an upper story or loft of a building. It is also possible that it pertains to those living in a place called Loftus, a small town in North Yorkshire, England. Surnames were often linked to places of dwelling or regions to identify people in earlier days. Over time, the word evolved into Loftis and became a surname used in England, eventually spreading to other English-speaking countries through migration. As with many surnames, different spellings exist, including Loftus, Loftice and Lofthouse.

Loftis: Where does the name Loftis come from?

The surname Loftis is of English origin. It is believed to have originated from the village of Loftus in North Yorkshire, England, during Medieval times. The name translates to "Loft House" in Old English, indicating it was likely associated with individuals living in houses that had a loft or upper room.

In the Norman times, we find the surname as "de Loftus" denoting a geographical origin. Later, it was disseminated through England and Ireland due to migration and conquests. The Loftus family also established their presence in Ireland after the Anglo-Norman invasion, becoming influential figures within the country's political and religious spheres.

The surname Loftus was later changed to Loftis, particularly in the United States where the spelling variation became popular. Loftis is a common surname in America today, particularly within the southern states. The surname is also found in England, Ireland, and Australia, but it not as commonly seen in these nations compared to America. Despite that, Loftus is still more common than Loftis in Ireland and England.

Variations of the surname Loftis

The surname Loftis has several variants and spellings that originated from the same source. Some of these include Loftus, Lofthouse, Loftice, Loftiss, and Loftos.

The name itself is of Anglo-Saxon origin and can be traced back to the time of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It is likely a habitational name, coming from Lofthouse in West Yorkshire or North Yorkshire. The name Lofthouse meaning 'the house with the loft', is derived from the Old Norse words "lopt" (loft) and "hus" (house).

There's another belief that Loftis could be of Irish origin, as a variant of Loftus. Loftus is of dual origin, an anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Lachtnáin, itself derived from Lachtnán (meaning 'milk-colored' or 'pale') and an English surname of Anglo-Norman origin mainly found in Ireland.

Additionally, there are other surnames that could be related to Loftis or Loftus through spelling variation or regional pronunciations.

However, variations can also occur as a result of misspellings and transcription errors. A person's name might have been recorded differently in different documents, leading to variations in spelling. Currently, there may exist numerous overlooked or unrecognized versions of the family name Loftis.

Famous people with the name Loftis

• Kristy Loftis, American actress
• Jason Loftis, former NFL wide receiver
• Brian Loftis, American actor
• Jack Loftis, former Texas State Representative
• Katherine Loftis, American civil rights activist
• Mason Loftis, Olympic swimmer
• Zach Loftis, YouTube celebrity
• Caroline Loftis, former Miss Maryland
• Edward Loftis, American songwriter
• Pamela Loftis, award winning author
• Crystal Loftis, singer and songwriter
• John Loftis, former mayor of Torrance, California
• Amy Loftis, former beauty pageant contestant
• Rachel Loftis, actress
• Jessica Loftis, American singer

Other surnames

LoftinLofting