Surname Hodwalker - Meaning and Origin
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Hodwalker: What does the surname Hodwalker mean?
The last name Hodwalker is of English origin and is derived from the Middle English 'hodwater', referring to an occupation. Specifically, a Hodwalker was a person who carried hods, which were wooden trays used to carry bricks, plaster, and mortar, usually on their back.
This was a common job, especially during the Middle Ages when many buildings were made using basic masonry techniques and brick construction. Therefore, anyone bearing the name Hodwalker may have come from a family of brick and mortar carriers.
Today, people with the last name Hodwalker may still have a connection to this historic trade if their family has been living in the same area for generations. However, the Hodwalker surname may also be used by people of other professions as the Hodwalker name spread out of its original area and into other counties, becoming more common over the centuries.
Due to its age, there is not much specific information about the Hodwalker family name. Nevertheless, it is one that is full of historical significance which still resonates today.
Order DNA origin analysisHodwalker: Where does the name Hodwalker come from?
The surname Hodwalker does not appear to be particularly common today. It was found in the English census records from 1881 and at that time the surname was the most frequent in county Cambridgeshire and its surrounding regions. However, since then the name has become far less frequent and does not appear in a lot of modern day census records.
It is possible that people with the last name Hodwalker may have had ancestors who moved away from the Cambridgeshire region, as this could explain why the name is so rare today. Alternatively, it is also possible that the surname is now being spelt differently due to traditional alterations in spelling that often occur.
The surname Hodwalker does still exist, however, and is still found in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world. It has also been found in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, France, and other countries. It is likely that those who do have the surname Hodwalker are likely to have a common ancestor that originated in Cambridgeshire, although perhaps that ancestor changed their surname due to spelling alterations or they immigrated to a different area of the world many years ago.
Variations of the surname Hodwalker
Hodwalker is one of the many variants of the popular surname Hotchkiss. It is an English language and Anglo-Norman surname, which likely has its origin from township names in the West Riding of Yorkshire such as Hothwaite or Huddlestone. Hotchkiss is believed to be derived from the Old Norse personal name “Höðr” or “Hóti,” which means “spider.” Variants of the Hodwalker lastname include Hotchkiss, Hadcock, Hodd, Hoad, Hood, Huddlestone, Hudleston, Hothwaite, and Huddersfield.
In America, Hodwalker is often associated with German-American, English-American, French-American, and Dutch-American descent. The surname has many different spellings, including Huddlestone, Hotchkiss, Hattock, Haddock, Hodersfield, and Hoetzel. It is most common in England, but also appears in Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and other parts of the British Isles.
Given the many variants of the surname, Hodwalker is an unusual lastname. It is not particularly easy to trace the origins of the family and the exact geographical area in which the Hodwalker name originated. However, due to its popular English and Anglo-Norman roots, it is likely that the Hodwalker family originated in a part of England or the British Isles.
Famous people with the name Hodwalker
- David Hodkinson: Former Welsh international rugby player who represented Wales in the 1970 Five Nations Championship.
- Don Hodwalker: Former NFL player who played defensive back for the Green Bay Packers from 1967 to 1970.
- George Hodwalker: British actor and stand-up comedian known for his roles in TV shows such as Coronation Street and Life on Mars.
- Eddie Hodwalker: Contemporary British painter and sculptor who is best known for his vibrant abstract works.
- Mark Hodwalker: Professional lacrosse player who plays as a midfielder for the Colorado Mammoth in the National Lacrosse League.
- Cynthia Hodwalker: Award-winning author of crime-thrillers and science fiction novels.
- William Hodwalker: 19th century British barrister and judge, who was relevant in the legal field of criminal justice.
- Brian Hodwalker: Retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League between 1976 and 1981.
- David Hodwalker Jr.: British diplomat, who served as the Ambassador to the Organization of American States in 2018-2019.
- Lizzie Hodwalker: Australian swimmer who has represented the country as a member of several national teams, most recently the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.