Surname Ladds - Meaning and Origin

Ladds: What does the surname Ladds mean?

The surname Ladds is believed to have an Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English given name 'Laedda'. This name was used as a byname meaning 'prince' in Old English. Therefore, Ladds could be understood to mean 'son of the prince' or 'of the prince', indicating a familial relationship or service to a prince. Since surnames were often given based on occupation, location, or personal characteristics, those bearing the name Ladds could have had an ancestral connection to a princely house. However, it is also possible that it was used metaphorically for someone considered to act like a prince in their community. One must remember that early surnames were linked to the original bearer's personal, occupational or locational characteristics and variations of the name can be found in different regions and time periods. Like many surnames, an exact, single meaning may not be fully definitive or universally applicable to all those who bear the name.

Ladds: Where does the name Ladds come from?

The surname Ladds is predominantly English in origin. It is a derivative of the Old English term "Ladde," which traditionally was used to describe a young man or a servant. So, it is believed to be an occupational name for a servant or a nickname for a young man. It is also possible that it evolved from the medieval given name, "Ladd," contributing to its prevalence as a surname.

The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown as "Ladde" in the early 14th century in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex. The Ladds family name was first found in Norfolk, England. Some emigrated to America, and it can be seen in early American history in states like Massachusetts and Maryland.

Today, Ladds as a surname can be found in moderate numbers in North America and Australia, whereas in the UK, the distribution is sparse with a higher concentration of people named Ladds in Norfolk and surrounding areas. However, it is not particularly common in any specific region. Family history sites also show some measure of the Ladds surname in New Zealand. In general, it remains a relatively rare surname globally.

Variations of the surname Ladds

The surname Ladds is relatively uncommon and may have different variations and similar surnames, with their origin primarily rooted in the Middle English slang for a young boy or servant.

Some variant spellings could include Lads, Lad, Ladd, Lade, or even Lead. In some cases, surnames that are spelled differently can have the same or similar origin. For example, the surnames Ladson and Ladson can also be connected to Ladds as a diminutive form, implying "son of Lad." In such a manner, Ladds might be linked to other surnames beginning with “Lad…” or ending with “…dds,” such as Laddson or Ladden.

These surnames may be derived from old English, where ‘lad’ was used to denote a young man or boy. Surnames were often descriptive or occupational in nature, so these surnames may have originally referred to someone young or someone who served as a man-servant or foot-soldier.

However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that surnames can also be highly dependent on regional variations and phonetic spellings. Therefore, this is not an exhaustive list, just a suggestive one. Individual family histories and ancestries may provide further variations and spellings.

Famous people with the name Ladds

• Alan Ladd: American actor, born in 1913. He appeared in films such as ‘Shane’, ‘The Big Sleep’, and ‘The Boy with Green Hair’.
• Cynthia Ladds: British actress and accomplished singer. She has acted in films and television, and earlier was part of a girl group called Sister.
• Jennifer Ladds: a local singer-songwriter from London. She has released a few albums exclusively on cassette.
• Matthew Ladds: British Gramophone Award winning violinist who tours internationally as a soloist.
• Stephen Ladds: British sculptor whose works were exhibited at a few galleries in Italy.
• Angelique Ladds: American academic, best known for her lectures on feminist economics.
• Michael Ladds: American poet, who has published several volumes of his work, themed mainly around the experiences of African Americans.
• Verona Ladds: South African writer and playwright, responsible for the scriptwriting of a number of television series.
• Lee Ladds: American composer and conductor. He is perhaps best known for his collaboration on the music for the Broadway musical Singin’ In The Rain.
• Emma Ladds: English professional lawn tennis player, born in 1997. She currently competes regularly on the challenger circuit.

Other surnames

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