Surname Laswell - Meaning and Origin
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Laswell: What does the surname Laswell mean?
The last name Laswell is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from several sources, one being the Old English words “lasse” and “wilu” which mean “in the woods”. Another potential meaning comes from the combination of Old Norse and Old English words that could mean “fisher village”.
The name Laswell could also have been derived from the Medieval Latin “la swella” which described a marshy area near a stream or river. A third possible source is the Irish Gaelic “Lios an mhuilin” which translates to “fort of the mill”.
Laswell is a very common last name in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. It is considered to be a moderately rare name in Europe, with only a limited number of bearers.
Over the years the meaning of the name Laswell has evolved and can take on different meanings depending on where it is used. For example, in Scotland, the name is said to signify “strength and authority”, while in the United States it is often associated with “honesty and loyalty”.
No matter where it is used, the last name Laswell can be traced back to its roots from a variety of sources. Long after its initial creation, the name continues to signify dedication and perseverance.
Order DNA origin analysisLaswell: Where does the name Laswell come from?
The last name Laswell is most common in the United States today. Most people with this surname trace their roots to the British Isles, with the majority of families located in England, Wales, and Scotland.
The name Laswell is most similar to the surname Leslie, which is derived from the Old French "le-siecle" and is thus related to the surname Laswell. It was first recorded in 1181 in Scotland by Richard Laswell, Baron of Witham.
In America, the earliest instance of the surname is found in the records of Thomas Laswell in Virginia in 1637. Laswell family histories were also recorded in North Carolina in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the surname spread to other parts of the country as settlers migrated west. As of 2020, the surname Laswell is the 8,913th most common surname in the United States.
The surname Laswell is most frequent in the Harrisonburg area of Virginia, which is the region with the highest concentration of Laswells in the country. Other hot spots for this surname include California, Texas, and Ohio, as well as other states along the East Coast. Cawood in Harlan County, Kentucky is also known for its association with the Laswells.
In the United Kingdom, the most recent records show that the surname Laswell is most common in Scotland and Wales. Though the surname is largely uncommon in the British Isles today, it is known to have more significant numbers in the lands of Galicia, Spain; Canada; and Australia.
Variations of the surname Laswell
Laswell is a surname of English and early American origin, probably deriving from a lost place name. It might come from either the Old English words 'hlauwe' meaning hill and 'halh' meaning a corner or nook, or the Old Norse word 'laes' meaning an assembly or gathering and 'vollr' meaning a field or meadow. Alternatively, it could be a variant of the surname Littlewale or Littlewell.
Variant spellings of the Laswell surname include Luswell, Lasuell, Loswell, Loseel, Lasyel, Leseul, and Luzwell. Other spellings could be Lewiswell, Lowiswel, Leweswell, Lesuell, Losewell, Lewsell, Lewesel, and Lesvel.
Surnames of the same origin include the following: Lessavel, Lessawe, Lesawel, Lasswel, Luzwell, Lousseal, Louser, and Louzyel. Other possible surnames of similar origin include Levcell, Lowel, Losenge, Lesage, Leouzel, Lewsse, and Lausier.
Famous people with the name Laswell
- Bill Laswell: internationally acclaimed producer, multi-instrumentalist, and bassist.
- Alex Laswell: former professional NHL hockey player.
- M. J. Laswell: former professional golfer.
- Krizz Kaliko: rapper and songwriter.
- James Laswell: Grammy-nominated record producer.
- Mark Laswell: American basketball player.
- Randall Laswell: American painter and sculptor.
- Jeff Laswell: American musician and singer-songwriter.
- JT Laswell: actor and comedian.
- E. J. Laswell: British actor and director.
- Violet Laswell: Canadian photographer, filmmaker and curator.
- Anna Laswell: American television and film producer.
- Charles Laswell: American architect.
- Prudence Laswell: award-winning children’s author.
- Adam Laswell: television producer and screenwriter.