Surname Lanwerd - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Lanwerd: What does the surname Lanwerd mean?
The last name Lanwerd is of Dutch origin and is thought to be derived from the personal name Lanwer, a combination of two elements: “lan” which means ‘land’ and “werd” which means ‘guard’, ‘watchman’ or ‘protector’. The literal meaning of the name is therefore something like ‘the land-guard’ or the ‘protector of the land’.
Lanwerd is an old family name which has been associated with the Dutch region of Friesland in the North-west of the country. Historically Friesland has been known for its rich agricultural land and many people with the Lanwerd name were involved in farming and other land-based trades. The family owned substantial tracts of land and were often thought to be the guard or protectors of the nation’s valuable agricultural resources.
The modern meaning of the name could be taken to mean ‘guardian of the land’, be it through original land possession or farming today, or more figuratively as having an affinity for the land and taking responsibility for its protection and guardianship. Whatever the interpretation, the name Lanwerd carries with it a sense of belonging and connection to the Dutch land.
Order DNA origin analysisLanwerd: Where does the name Lanwerd come from?
The last name Lanwerd is most commonly seen in the Netherlands. It is one of the most common family names in the province of Friesland, particularly in the small villages near the Lauwermeer. The area of Friesland where the name is concentrated is also known as Tietjerksteradeel, or simply the 'T-streek' (T-area).
The name meant a place where people were called "Lanwerds", which literally means "Lanwer's people". The area was owned by a powerful family at some point, and presumably given the name as a symbol of ownership.
The earliest known mention of the surname was in 1539, in a deed of payment of a loan made to one "Hendrick Lanwerds". The surname has been spelled in many ways over the years, including Lanwerdt, Lanward, and Landerd.
Today, the name is still most popular in the Netherlands, although people with the name can be found in other countries around the world, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. It is most common in Friesland; in fact, the name can be found in many of the small villages in the province.
Variations of the surname Lanwerd
Lanwerd is a Dutch surname which is derived from a combination of two old Dutch words, ‘land’ and ‘weerd’. 'Land' means land or home, while ‘weerd’ means pasture or meadow. So, the literal meaning of the surname is ‘home meadow’ or ‘pasture of the home’.
The variants and spellings of the surname Lanwerd include Lanward, Lanwert, Lanherd, Lanherdt, Lanweert, Lanwerdt, Lanweerd, Lanwirdt, and Langerd.
Other surnames and variants of the same origin are Landwerd, Landerd, Landert, Landweert, Lammers, and Leenders.
It is worth noting that Lanwerd and its variants have become scattered across many countries. In the Netherlands, the highest numbers were found in the provinces of Gelderland and Drenthe, while in other countries including the United States and Canada the highest concentrations are in the states and provinces of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Alberta.
The popularity of the Lanwerd surname has spread and resulted in the related surnames being seen in many other countries, including the British Isles, where the spellings Lander, Launder, and Lawnder are also used.
Finally, in Germany and other countries, the surname is spelt Lanwerth, Landerdt, Landherdt, and Lanhart.
Overall, the surname Lanwerd and its related variants are popular in many countries and have many spellings in different parts of the world, depending on the local language standard.
Famous people with the name Lanwerd
- Ans Holtrop-Lanwerd: Dutch author and literary scholar.
- Kees van Lanwerd: Dutch artist.
- John van Lanwerd: Dutch Thuiswinkel Lifetime Achievement awardee.
- Erna van Lanwerd: Dutch basketball player.
- Ester van Lanwerd: Dutch author.
- Evert van Lanwerd: Dutch football coach.
- Jan Willem van Lanwerd: Dutch Aardrijkskunde professor.
- Mamadou Barry van Lanwerd: Dutch-born Guinea-Bissau professional football player.
- Betti Lanwerd: Dutch actress.
- Frits van Lanwerd: Dutch paralympian.