Surname Lawder - Meaning and Origin
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Lawder: What does the surname Lawder mean?
The surname Lawder is of Scottish origin, primarily originating among the Strathclyde-Briton people in the Scottish/English Borderlands. The name is derived from the old English words "hlaw," meaning "hill," and "dun," meaning "fort." So, Lawder essentially means "hill fort," indicating that the ancestors of the Lawder clan likely lived in or near a fortified hill. Like many surnames, it was likely topographic, given to someone who lived near a notable physical feature. It might also be locational, related to a place named Lawder. As family names came into common use in Scotland from the 11th to the 12th centuries, the Lawder representatives were known to contribute significantly to local communities, assuming roles of leadership and taking part in regional disputes. Although this surname has been historically concentrated in the United Kingdom, later migrations have led to its dispersal and the establishment of Lawder families in various countries around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisLawder: Where does the name Lawder come from?
The surname Lawder is of Scottish origin, stemming from the ancient Scottish region of the Borders. It initially appeared as a family name in Berwickshire where the Lawder family was seated from very ancient times. Historically, they existed on their estates in this county before the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Over time and with migration, the surname has spread and has been modified in spelling as Lowder, Lander, Lawther, and others. The name is not very widespread, but it can be found in various regions around the world due to the Scottish diaspora. Today, it can be encountered in a variety of countries, including Scotland, England, and the United States, among others. However, despite its spread, it is not common and is considered more of a unique or rare surname. As with many surnames, the concentration of individuals with the Lawder surname varies by region and country.
Variations of the surname Lawder
The surname Lawder appears to have a few variant spellings including Lauter, Lauder, and Loader. These may be due to translation challenges or updating the name to better fit into different language contexts.
As far as surnames of the same origin, the name Lawder is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from "hludere," an Old English word meaning "loud" or "noisy". Therefore, surnames with a similar source or related meaning include Loud, Loudan, and Louden.
The Lauder and Lawder surnames are especially popular in Scotland, so Scottish names of similar derivation could possibly include McNab (meaning "son of the abbot," a position usually associated with education and knowledge), Craig (from "crag" or "rock," suggesting durability or stubbornness), or Ross (meaning "peninsula," suggesting origin in a specific geographic area).
Please note that association and equivalency with these names would greatly depend on individual family histories and migration patterns. Thus, while a surname may sound or be spelled similarly, it doesn't always guarantee a shared origin.
Famous people with the name Lawder
- Bridget Lawder: former chair of the Labour party in Northern Ireland
- Luke Lawder: Australian filmmaker
- Charles Lawder: former mayor of Santa Monica, California
- David Lawder: American journalist
- Richard Lawder: English general practitioner and former member of parliament for Teesdale
- Graham Lawder: Guyanese football striker
- Graham Lawder: American artist
- Ryan Lawder: Australian field hockey player
- Tammy Lawder: Canadian curler
- Brandon Lawder: British singer-songwriter