Surname Southard - Meaning and Origin

Surprising Links and Unforeseen Turns: A Detailed DNA Report on My Surname, Southard through iGENEA Test

Undergoing the iGENEA DNA test revealed surprising and unexpected details about my heritage and surname, Southard. The test unearthed my strong genetic ties to the Celtic tribes, detouring from my previous assumption of a UK-centric lineage. Furthermore, the widespread presence of my surname in Scandinavia came as a surprise and pointed toward potential Viking roots.

H. Southard

Southard: What does the surname Southard mean?

The surname "Southard" is considered to be of English origin. It's derived from the Old English term "suthweard," which translates to "southward." In the context of surnames, it pointed to a person who lived on the south side or the southern area of a region or settlement. Therefore, the Southard surname could be considered a topographic name given to individuals based on geographic characteristics of their dwelling place. The use of such names was quite common in Middle Age England, as it allowed better differentiation between individuals living in close proximity, especially in cases where they shared a common first name. The occurrence of the name Southard is more frequent in England and United States. The variations of the name include Southworth, Southwood, and Suthard. Like with most surnames, the spelling and pronunciation could have changed over time and across regions.

Southard: Where does the name Southard come from?

The last name Southard is mainly found in the United States today. According to Ancestry.com, the majority of people with this surname are found in eastern states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts. There are also Southards in California, Texas, Georgia, and other states along the east coast.

The last name Southard is originally of English origin. It is thought to be derived from a variety of place names throughout England, including Southward in Yorkshire. Southards within the United States can trace their roots back to English settlers who came to America in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Southards are usually concentrated in the same areas and states. As of 2020, Southards are the 13,854th most common surname in the United States. This makes it a somewhat rare surname.

Southard is also an occupational surname, referring to tailors or seamstresses. According to Family Search, "The surname Southard is derived from the Old English word suthward, which means the same as Seamstress in modern English."

Overall, the Southard surname is mainly found in the United States today. Although not as common as other last names, there is a long and rich history to this name and today there are many Southards across the US who are proud to share the name.

Variations of the surname Southard

The surname Southard is an English patronymic name meaning “son of Southern”. It is found in many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Southar, Souther, Southey, Suthard, and Suther.

Southar, Souther and Southey are the earliest recorded spellings of this surname. These variations date back to the 13th century, when names were often recorded under a variety of spellings. Southar and Souther are variants of the same name, though they were likely also interchangeable.

Suthard and Suther are also variations of Southard. However, these variations are likely a result of the development of surnames over time, as they have adopted a more German-influenced spelling. This type of spelling is often seen in records from the 1600s and 1700s.

In addition to these variations, there are also a myriad of surnames that have origins in the Southard name. Such surnames include Southall, Southcoat, Southgate, Southham, and Southerland. All of these variations have a common origin, as they all derive from “son of Southern”. Moreover, some of these surnames have variants that reflect the various spellings of Southard.

In conclusion, there are numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Southard. These variations are evidence of the development of surnames over time.

Famous people with the name Southard

• Alex Southard: American professional skateboarder.
• Kenton Southard: American college basketball coach.
• Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey): English singer and songwriter, former member of The Beatles.
• Deborah E. Southard: American college professor of biology.
• Jordan Southard: American actor and martial artist.
• Ruth Clancy Southard: American writer and librarian.
• Jesse Southard: American sports reporter.
• Fred Southard: American politician.
• Nathan Southard: American journalist and author.
• William Southard: American representative and senator.
• H. Scott Southard: American politician.
• Scott Southard: American professor of management.
• Emily Southard: American author.
• David Southard: American gallery owner.
• Christina Southard: Australian volleyball player.
• John Southard: American politician.
• Marlena Southard: American writer and illustrator.
• Joe Southard: American film screenwriter.
• Roald Southard: American biochemist.
• Daniel Southard: British missionary.

Other surnames

SouthallSouthart