Surname Lavender - Meaning and Origin
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Lavender: What does the surname Lavender mean?
The last name Lavender is of English origin and it typically served as an occupational or habitational name from the Old French "lavandier". This term was derived from the Latin word "lavandarius" which means "to wash", which was originally used to describe someone who washed linen as an occupation, a launderer or a washerman.
Alternatively, Lavender could also be a locational name, denoting someone who lived in regions where lavender plants were found or known for. Lavender is also the common name for a genus of plants known for their fragrant purple flowers and various uses in the culinary and cosmetics industries.
Thus, the surname Lavender carries the notion of cleanliness, purity, and a connection with nature which is epitomized by the lavender plant itself. The name also has associations with nobility and royalty, as both were known to use lavender in various ways, from scented water to perfumes.
Order DNA origin analysisLavender: Where does the name Lavender come from?
The surname Lavender is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has multiple interpretations. It possibly stemmed from a nickname for someone who sold perfumed water, which was originally imported from the Mediterranean areas in the Middle Ages. The name Lavender could also come from an Old English personal name, Lefan, thus 'Lefan's share (of land)’. Another theory is it might trace back to a location named Lavender, although no such place in Britain has been found supporting this claim.
In terms of place-based evidence, a notable instance of the name was reported in Sussex, South East England, in the late 13th century. Hence, it could be hypothesized that the name has strong English origins.
Today, the surname Lavender can be found in various parts of the world due to migration over centuries, but it is still more common in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, England, Australia, and Canada. It's essential to note the actual commonality could differ due to various factors such as local demographics and historical migration.
Variations of the surname Lavender
The surname Lavender is of English origin, derived from the Old French "lavandier" which means launderer. It was often given as an occupational name to individuals who worked as a washerman or launderer. This middle English surname has several variants and can be spelled differently at times, based on region, dialect, pronunciation, etc.
Some of these variants include Lavandre, Lavandier, Lavendere, Lavinder, Lavendel, and Laveunder. Other surnames that have the same or very similar meanings or origins are also sometimes seen as variants, such as Lavand, Lavande, and even Lefandre, which might have roots in the French version of the name.
It is also important to note that misspellings might also occur in historical documents due to illiteracy or errors in transcriptions. These miswritten forms could include Lovender, Leavender, Lavendor, Lawender, or Lavandar.
Despite the variations, these forms all have a common root and point back to the original meaning of someone involved in laundering or related crafts. However, the accuracy of these connections often depends on individual family histories and genealogy research.
Famous people with the name Lavender
- Ivana Lavender: A Slovakian actress who starred in the 2016 movie The Red Captain.
- Pete Lavender: A former English cricketer who played for Middlesex County Cricket Club.
- Randy Lavender: A former American football quarterback who played in the NFL for four seasons.
- Corbin Lavender: An American singer/songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
- Glenn Lavender: An American jazz musician, composer, and record producer.
- Eloise Lavender: An English actress who has appeared in productions such as Jane the Virgin and Pretty Little Liars.
- Sasha Lavender: A Canadian-American former ice skater who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Vicky Lavender: A Jamaican-American musician and former member of the reggae band I-Threes.
- Alexander Lavender: A British civil servant who served as High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Jamaica from 2011-2014.
- Kayla Lavender: An American make-up artist who has worked on several films and television series, such as The Haunting of Hill House.