Surname Lordan - Meaning and Origin
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Lordan: What does the surname Lordan mean?
The surname Lordan is a patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic personal name Lord, meaning “lord” or “sovereign”. The name is of ancient origin and found throughout Ireland and Scotland, primarily in regions of Kerry, Cork and Connacht. It has become one of the most common surnames of Irish origin.
The name is derived from the Olde Irish lord, which is made up of two distinct elements: the Old Norse element hlåfr, meaning “lout, ox, kneeling servant”; and the Proto-Celtic element *ordo, meaning “speech, order, command”. Combined, the elements connote someone belonging to the nobility, with the power to command.
Lordan is also a popular surname in Northern Europe, especially in Norway, where it is derived from the common Norse personal name Hláfr and the Old Norse lordr, meaning “lord” or “master”. In Denmark and Sweden, the surname is derived from the frequently used personal name Lars.
The surname Lordan is also found in the United States, where it has several variant spellings, such as Lords, Lorden, Lordin, Lordial and Lordain. In modern times, the Lordan surname is primarily regarded as being of Irish origin. It is often used in honor of family members with a prominent sociological standing, such as a king, royalty or high-ranking aristocrat. While the surname traces its origins to the distant past, it is still commonly found throughout the world today.
Order DNA origin analysisLordan: Where does the name Lordan come from?
The last name Lordan is most commonly found in Ireland today. This surname is believed to have originated with the Ó Lorcàin clan, an Irish house who occupied land in County Limerick in the counties of Kerry, Clare, and Cork since the 15th century. According to research into the Lordan surname, it is likely derived from an Irish-Gaelic word meaning “spear-lord”.
The name appears to have made its way to the U.S. in the late 1900s as a result of Irish immigration. The 1910 U.S. Census recorded more than 1,000 Lordans living in the U.S., with the majority of them living in New York and Massachusetts. Today, many descendants of this Irish family still live in these two states, while others have since moved to other parts of the country.
In Ireland, Lordan can still be found in Counties Limerick, Cork, and Kerry. Interestingly, there is a small village in County Kerry called Lordan, which is thought to have been named after the Lordan family. Lordan is also a prominent surname in the United Kingdom, with many Lordan families found living in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Variations of the surname Lordan
The surname Lordan is of Irish origin, derived from the Old Irish name O'Lorrdain. This name was most commonly found in County Galway, in the west of Ireland, and derives from the Clan O'Lorrdain of Connacht. It is also an alternate spelling of the less common surname, 'Lordan'. Other variants and spellings of the surname Lordan include: Lorendan, O'Lordan, Lardane, Lardain, Lordane, Lorrdan, Lorrdane, Lairndane, Lardainne, Lairndean, Lorrdan, and Lordain. The variations in spelling of this surname are due to its ancient origins, as well as scribes' and recorders' varying interpretations in how to spell the name.
Among the variants of Lordan, the surnames 'Lordan' and 'Laird' are the closest in meaning. The surname Lordan or Laird originated from Old Welsh and Proto-Celtic roots as an aristocratic title given to a landholder who held his land directly from the monarch or another ruling figure, as opposed to the lower ranking tenant farmers. This title is now popularly used as an alternative to the Lordan surname.
Furthermore, Lordan can also be spelled as "Luden" or "Ludon", which was another alternate form of the surname used in the early 20th century. This form originated from an old Irish family in County Galway, and was taken up again by the Irish travelling community after 1959.
Overall, the surname Lordan has branched out to many alternate spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. This is due to its ancient origins, as well as scribes' and recorders' varying interpretations in how to spell the name.
Famous people with the name Lordan
- Maeve Lordan: Irish singer-songwriter known as half of the music duo "Her Name Is Calla" and for other musical collaborations.
- Justice James Lordan: Judge of the Supreme Court in Australia from 1934-1950.
- Seamus Lordan: Irish politician who was a former Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) who served from 1997-2011.
- Jack Lordan: Irish fashion designer and creative director who has worked for designers such as Stella McCartney and Gareth Pugh.
- Aisling Lordan: Irish film, television and theatre actress who has appeared in several stage productions and films since 2000.
- Clodagh Lordan: Irish actress most well known for her portrayal of Siobhán in the 2017 film Handsome Devil and for her roles in Rebel Heart and Three Too Much.
- Robert Lordan: American actor who has been featured in television series such as Sleeper Cell, Medium and NCIS.
- Sean Lordan: Irish Gaelic football player who has represented Galway County in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
- Hilda Lordan: Irish poet who was the former editor of Poetry Ireland Review.
- Dennis Lordan: American basketball coach and former professional player who was a former assistant coach for the NBA's Houston Rockets.