Surname Arthur - Meaning and Origin

Revealing the Stories In My DNA: A Journey of Self-Discovery Through My Surname 'Arthur'

Having undergone the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered a profound link between my surname Arthur, and my genetic lineage drawn primarily from the British Isles. This discovery has transformed my understanding of personal identity and heritage, connecting me with my past and imbuing my surname with profound meaning.

X. Arthur

Arthur: What does the surname Arthur mean?

The surname Arthur is of Celtic origin and has several possible meanings. It is often associated with the legendary British king, Arthur, and thus can be interpreted as "bear king" as it is derived from the old Celtic elements artos ("bear") and viros ("man") or rigos ("king"). Furthermore, Arthur is also considered taken from the Roman clan name Artorius, which means plowman in Latin. As a last name, Arthur continues to be used widely across English-speaking countries. The exact origin of the Arthur surname is disputed and might have evolved from any of these meanings or sources. Nonetheless, it is popularly associated with the image of a noble and brave bear king, immortalized in Arthurian legends.

Arthur: Where does the name Arthur come from?

The last name Arthur originates from the ancient Celtic language. It is derived from the personal name "Arthur," which likely means "bear," from the Celtic word "artos." The name could also stem from Roman family name "Artorius," which itself is of unknown etymology.

This surname became famous due to the legendary King Arthur, a British leader who, according to medieval histories and romances, led the defense of Britain against Saxon invaders in the late 5th and early 6th centuries. The personal name Arthur was rarely used in the Middle Ages, but grew in popularity during the 19th century, consequently, the last name followed the same trend.

Today, the surname Arthur is common in English-speaking countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, it is most prevalent in the states of New York, Ohio, and California. In England, it is most common in Lancashire. It also exists in France, mostly in the northern regions. Despite these local concentrations, Arthur is a common surname found throughout these countries.

Variations of the surname Arthur

The surname Arthur originates from Celtic or British folklore, signifying noble or brave. Apart from its most common spelling "Arthur," there are slight variations and derivations of the name that are used as surnames. These include Artur, Arther, Arthurs, MacArthur, and McArthur.

The names Artur and Arther are mostly used in countries like Portugal, Germany, and Poland. Arthurs is often found in English-speaking countries, while MacArthur and McArthur are specifically Scottish derivations, where the prefixes 'Mac' and 'Mc' signify 'son of.'

Several variations of "Arthur" are also found in different languages due to translation, although they are not often used as surnames. For example, "Arturo" is used in Spanish and Italian, "Artur" in Portuguese, "Artair" in Scottish, "Artus" in French, "Arto" in Finnish, "Artuur" in Dutch, and "Artūrs" in Latvian.

Occasionally, "Arthur" may be used as a surname due to metronymics, where a mother's first name becomes a child's surname, or patronymics, where a father's first name is used as a child's surname. This practice, while not common, can also contribute to the variety of Arthur surnames.

Famous people with the name Arthur

• Chester A. Arthur: The 21st President of the United States.
• Beatrice Arthur: An American actress and comedian known for her roles in the TV shows "Maude" and "The Golden Girls."
• Jean Arthur: An American actress and a major film star of the 1930s and 1940s.
• Arthur Arthur: A British Film Director.
• James Arthur: A British singer-songwriter who won the 9th season of X Factor UK.
• Joseph Arthur: An American singer-songwriter and artist.
• Portia Arthur: A Ghanaian author and fashion influencer.
• Julia Arthur: A Canadian actress of the 19th and early 20th century.
• Robert Arthur: An American radio and film writer and producer.
• Bea Arthur: An American actress best known for her work on the TV show "The Golden Girls."
• Julian Arthur: An English rugby player. Please note that some of these names include middle names or pseudonyms where 'Arthur' is used instead of an actual surname.

Other surnames

ArthursArthurson