Surname Tudor - Meaning and Origin
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Tudor: What does the surname Tudor mean?
The surname Tudor is Welsh in origin, specifically derived from the Welsh forename "Tewdwr" or "Tudur," which in turn is derived from the Brythonic word "Toutorix," meaning "ruler of the people." It was used as a first name before it became a surname. The surname gained popularity in England due to the Tudor dynasty, which took the throne in the late 15th century. The Tudor dynasty, including famous monarchs such as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, left an indelible mark on the history of England. This association with royalty has entrenched the surname Tudor as unique and notable. Today, the name is synonymous with an era of English history (Tudor period, 1485-1603), characterized by significant changes in religion, politics, and artistic expression. It's also associated with Tudor-style architecture, a style that was popular during this period. Despite its historical origins, the surname Tudor is still in use today.
Order DNA origin analysisTudor: Where does the name Tudor come from?
The last name Tudor is most commonly found in North America, especially in the United States and Canada. It is especially prevalent in areas of Eastern Canada, including the province of Quebec. The Tudor name likely originated in Wales and was carried to North America by immigrants who settled in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The first recorded use of the Tudor name in North America is attributed to Robert Tudor, who immigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from Wales in 1710. From Pennsylvania, descendants of Robert Tudor migrated to other parts of the United States, including the Midwest, the South, and the West Coast.
The Tudor name has also been found in the Caribbean, especially in Jamaica. This is likely due to the numerous descendants of Welsh immigrants who settled on the island after the British colonial era.
Since the Tudor name is so prevalent in North America, it is not uncommon to encounter it in areas where Welsh ancestry is strong, such as Appalachia and the Ozark mountain region. It is also common in cities with high Welsh immigration, such as Chicago and Toronto.
Variations of the surname Tudor
The surname Tudor has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Tudur Ale (in Welsh), Tudorazzo, Teodore, Teodoro, Täufer, Teveto, Tate, Taylors, Teviot, Tedder, Teeton, Tetlow, Tetro, and Tutor, among others.
Tudor is thought to have originated from the Welsh personal name Tudur. The personal name Tudur was derived from the Old Welsh words ‘Tud’ (meaning ‘territory’ or 'land') and ‘mawr’ (meaning ‘large’ or 'great’). This personal name was the original patronymic surname of the Tudors, an important Welsh family who provided several monarchs for England in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
The spelling variants of Tudor were derived from a variety of languages including Latin, German, and Dutch. The Latin version Teodore is derived from the Greek name Theodore, meaning ‘gift of God.’ The German variant Täufer is derived from täufeln, which means 'to baptize.' The Dutch variant Teveto comes from the Dutch words te veter, which mean ‘to sail.’
The variants of Tudor and other surnames of the same origin represent an attempt to latch onto a certain element of a family’s past. Variants of Tudor also emphasize the history of the Tudor family and the diverse influences on their culture.
Famous people with the name Tudor
- Henry VIII: The reigning monarch of England during the Tudor period (1485-1603).
- Elizabeth I: The daughter of Henry VIII and the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty.
- Edward VI: Son of Henry VIII and the King of England from 1547-1553.
- Mary I: Daughter of Henry VIII and Queen of England from 1553-1558.
- Lady Jane Grey: Granddaughter of Mary I and Queen of England for nine days in 1553.
- Margaret Tudor: Henry VIII's older sister and Queen of Scots from 1503-12.
- James V of Scotland: Son of Margaret Tudor and King of Scotland from 1513-1542.
- Catherine of Aragon: Henry VIII's first wife, Queen of England from 1509-1533.
- Thomas Cromwell: Powerful adviser to Henry VIII, Lord High Chancellor of England from 1532-1540. 10.Robert Dudley: Favourite courtier of Elizabeth I and husband of Amy Robsart. 11.Amy Robsart: Wife of Robert Dudley and a great love of Elizabeth I. 12.John Dee: Adviser on astrology and the occult to Elizabeth I. 13.Robert Cecil: statesman and adviser to Elizabeth I and James I. 14.Humphrey Gilbert: Jointly sponsored with his half-brother Walter Raleigh the expedition of 1583 to North America. 15.Walter Raleigh: Prominent courtier of Elizabeth I who is widely associated with the settlement of Virginia in the US. 16.Thomas Howard: Powerful member of the court of Elizabeth I who was married to Catherine of Aragon's daughter, Lady Mary, and ultimately held the title of Duke of Norfolk. 17.Sir William Cecil: Secretary of State and influential member of court under Elizabeth I and father of Robert Cecil. 18.Bess of Hardwick: Powerful courtier of Elizabeth I who was married to four husbands and is the most prolific female builder of Tudor England. 19.Michael Stanhope: Elizabeth I confidante and intimate of the court. 20.Jessie Dormer: Close friend of Elizabeth I quoted in Thomas Fuller's book Worthies of England.
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Comments or additions to the name "Tudor"
09.02.2024
Teviot I heard this is another version, is that right.