Surname Waddell - Meaning and Origin

Redefining Heritage: A Journey of Personal Discovery through My Waddell Lineage

Always proud of my surname, Waddell, my understanding of my personal identity and heritage underwent a significant shift upon learning my iGENEA DNA test results. The results, illuminating previously unknown aspects of my ancestry, invited a reassessment of the meaning of my surname and my perception of my roots.

V. Waddell

Waddell: What does the surname Waddell mean?

The surname Waddell is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is believed to be derived from the old English word "wad," which means "woad," a plant cultivated for its leaves, which yield a blue dye. The suffix "dell" can be translated as "valley". Therefore, a potential interpretation of the name is "woad-valley," possibly indicating that the original bearers lived near such a location or perhaps were involved in woad cultivating or dyeing. Waddell may also be a topographic name denoting someone who lived near a particular valley. This name has various spellings including Waddel, Weddel, Weddell, Waddle, and Woodall. Like many surnames that began as descriptors, it conveys information about the history, geographic background, or perhaps occupation of a family's patriarch. The name's first recorded spelling can be traced back to Hugo de Wedale in the year 1165, during the reign of Scottish King Malcolm IV. The name also has a presence in England where it was common among Anglo-Saxon cultures.

Waddell: Where does the name Waddell come from?

The last name Waddell is most commonly found in the United States and the United Kingdom. It originated in Scotland and was associated with a branch of the pedigree of Strathbogie, which led to the Earls of Waddell. In the United States, the surname is most common in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. These states happen to be the traditional heart of American Scots Irish settlement, which explains why this surname is more common there.

In the United Kingdom, the surname is most common in Lancashire, England, however, it can be found throughout Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland as well. This is because the surname originates in Scotland and, as mentioned before, is associated with the Strathbogie branch of the family.

In terms of occupations, those with the surname Waddell were most likely to be farmers or labourers in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland. In the United States, however, many of the early settlers with the surname likely adjusted to a more industrialized occupation.

In terms of specific locations, it’s likely to find the surname Waddell in small towns and rural areas throughout the United States as well as Scotland and England.

Variations of the surname Waddell

The surname Waddell has several variants in spelling and pronunciation. These include Wadel, Waddle, Waddill, Waddill, and Wadell. Other variants, which may or may not be related to Waddell, include Waddill, Wadlow, Waddel, Waddles, Wadel, Wadley, Wadleigh, Wadlington, Wadwell, Wadle, and Waddington.

The surname Waddell has Scottish or Northern Irish origins. In Scotland, the surname may be derived from the sept of the surname MacQuoid, with the Gaelic form of the name being MacUghaid. The MacQuoid sept originated in Galloway in the south-west of Scotland.

In Northern Ireland, the Waddell surname may be of English or Scottish origin. Some Waddell families in Northern Ireland trace their ancestry back to the English sept of the Wadsley or Waddsley. Other Waddell families may be descended from Scottish settlers who emigrated to Northern Ireland in the 1600s and 1700s.

The surname Waddell is fairly common in the United States, where there are estimated to be between 40-50,000 bearers of the name. The Waddell surname is particularly common in the American states of Pennsylvania, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Famous people with the name Waddell

• Wendy Waddell: She was one of the most recognized names in the women’s sports movement in the U.S. and was a influential leader in both the advancement of Title IX and the spread of recreational sports.
• Georgia Waddell: A former Tuskegee Airman, she was a notable member of the US Women’s Army Corps and the first black female officer of the US Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program.
• Dr. Gregory Waddell: A leading figure in the medical and mental health community, he is widely known for his expertise in addressing the physical and psychological effects of trauma and loss.
• Jeanette Waddell: A Canadian singer songwriter, she is best known for her alt-country songs, which often feature social and political concerns.
• Bob Waddell: A former professional American football player, he was an offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings.
• Darnell Waddell: A Philadelphia-based jazz saxophonist, he has recorded a wide variety of music styles and has collaborated with a number of leading jazz artists.
• J.L. Waddell: A prominent zoologist and ichthyologist, he authored many popular works on fish and other aquatic life, including The Fishes of Japan.
• Jack Waddell: A former professional American Basketball Association player, he was an All-Star selection in 1975 and was named to the All-Defensive Team in 1974.
• Preston Waddell: A blues musician from Chicago, he was a founding member of the rock and soul band the Impressions, and was known for his unique harmonica and guitar playing.
• Veda Waddell: A church leader and entrepreneur from Decatur, Alabama, she was noted as one of the leading figures in the African-American civil rights movement.

Other surnames

WaddelWaddey