Surname Waddel - Meaning and Origin

Waddel: What does the surname Waddel mean?

The surname Waddel is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the pre-7th century Old English term "waedel", which means 'ford' or 'shallow part of a river.' It was likely given to those who lived near such a place, hence a topographic name. However, it may also have been used to indicate someone who regularly traveled across a ford, perhaps a merchant or a messenger, thereby taking on an occupational sense. Variations of this surname include Waddell, Waddle, Wadel, Wadehill and others. Waddel is most common in England, especially in areas adjacent to a river. Like many surnames, the spelling of Waddel has evolved over centuries and can vary widely; this is due in large part to a lack of standardized spelling rules during the times when most of these surnames first came into use.

Waddel: Where does the name Waddel come from?

The last name Waddel is most commonly found today in the United States and Canada. It is also prevalent in the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and Scotland. The earliest known Waddel family can be traced to Ayrshire, a county in Scotland in the 12th century.

The Waddel family spread out slowly over the next few centuries, with some settling in Ireland and other parts of the British Isles. It was not until the early 1700s that the first Waddel immigrants arrived in the North American colonies.

In the United States, the Waddel surname is most common in the South Atlantic states like North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. In Canada, the name is most common in Ontario and British Columbia.

Today, the last name Waddel remains relatively uncommon, estimated to make up less than 0.1% of the population. Despite its rarity, the Waddel name continues to be used by many families and has a rich history in North America. As a result, it is possible to find many records, documents, and stories about the Waddel family online.

Variations of the surname Waddel

The surname Waddel is of English and Scottish origin, and the spelling variations of the family name include Waddell, Wadle, Wadle, Waddil, Waddill, Waddall, Waddel and Waddely. The surname is derived from a place name, and is believed to be a habitational name derived from Waddesdon in Buckinghamshire, England.

Other similar-sounding names of Scottish origin that may be related to Waddel are the surnames Waddington, Wadell, Wadlington, Waddles, Wattles, Weddell, Weddles, Widdle, Widdleson, Woddles, Woddleson and Wuddell.

In England, the name Waddell is common in Cumbria and Durham, while Waddington is specific to Lancashire. In Scotland, the most notable locations where Waddel (or variations thereof) is commonly found are Angus, Aberdeenshire, and the city of Edinburgh. The name was also found in Ireland, where it was Anglicised from various Gaelic names.

Waddall is less common, but can still be found in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. Waddely is a variation of Waddell, and is found primarily in Freuchie, Scotland. Finally, Waddil is found in the United States.

Famous people with the name Waddel

• Lesley Waddel, Scottish actress
• Robert Waddell, Australian rower
• Ryan Waddell, American model and actor
• John Waddel, Irish actor
• Corey Waddel, American singer
• Austin Waddel, Indian-American actor
• Mark Waddel, Canadian photographer
• Reid Waddel, Australian former rugby league player
• Peter Waddel, British classical composer
• Doug Waddell, Canadian former ice hockey player

Other surnames

WaddellWaddey