Surname Lloyd - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Unraveling the Celtic and Viking Roots of Lloyd: My Ancestral Discovery through iGENEA DNA Analysis
Through a DNA analysis journey with iGENEA, I was able to trace the rich lineage of my surname, Lloyd, back to Celtic and Viking ancestors. The process began with a cheek swab and culminated in a revelation of a complex, diverse ancestral history.
X. Lloyd
read moreLloyd: What does the surname Lloyd mean?
The surname Lloyd originated from the Welsh word "llwyd" which means "grey". It was often used metaphorically for someone who is elderly or wise. During the Middle Ages, it was a common practice to use nicknames as surnames. In Wales, colors were often used in this way to identify individuals, leading to the surname, Lloyd. Like many surnames, Lloyd's meaning is not definitive, and could be interpreted in other ways depending on the historical and geographical context. For example, it could be referring to someone with grey hair, or possibly denote a connection to certain places or properties. It’s also considered a patronymic surname that derives from a personal name – in this case from the Welsh name Llwyd. This surname is common in countries such as England, Wales, the United States and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisLloyd: Where does the name Lloyd come from?
The last name Lloyd is of Welsh origin and it derives from the Welsh word 'llwyd' or 'clwyd', which translates to 'grey'. It was traditionally used as a nickname for individuals with grey hair or perhaps those who habitually wore grey clothing. Over time, it evolved into a surname. The first recorded spelling of the family name is dated around the 14th century.
Today, Lloyd is a common last name in English-speaking countries, especially in the United Kingdom where its Welsh origin lies. In particular, Wales and the west Midlands in England have a significant number of people with the Lloyd surname. It is also prevalent in other countries like United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Some people bearing this surname may have their roots connected to Welsh ancestry. Celebrities like actor Christopher Lloyd and singer Cher Lloyd, politician David Lloyd George, and athlete Carli Lloyd are just a few famous persons bearing this surname.
Variations of the surname Lloyd
The surname Lloyd originates from Wales and it means "grey" in Welsh. It was often used to refer to someone with grey hair or perhaps someone who habitually wore grey clothing. Over the years, however, the spelling and phonetics of the name have evolved, leading to numerous variations.
The surname may appear as Loyd, Llwyd, or Flood, among others. In some cases, the double 'L' has been replaced by an 'F', giving rise to names like 'Floyd'. There's also a variant, 'Loyde'. Interestingly, 'Flloyd' and 'Floyde' are less common modifications of the name but can still be found.
Lloyd is often combined with other Welsh elements to form compound surnames. For example, 'Lloyd-Jones', 'Lloyd-Thomas', 'Lloyd-Williams', etc.
In terms of given names, 'Lloyd' is sometimes used as a first name, predominantly in Wales. Furthermore, it also serves as a middle name, e.g., 'John Lloyd Smith'.
Despite its diverse spellings and adaptations, each variant maintains a connection to the original and uniquely Welsh origins of the surname 'Lloyd'. It keeps getting passed on from one generation to another, serving as a direct link to a person's ancestry and cultural heritage.
Famous people with the name Lloyd
- Rob Lloyd: American scientist, inventor and entrepreneur.
- John Lloyd: British television producer and comedy writer.
- Hal Lloyd: American film actor.
- Edward Lloyd: American landowner and merchant.
- Flora Lloyd: American stage actress.
- Henry Lloyd: English barrister and judge.
- Lamont Lloyd: Canadian professional basketball player.
- Harold Lloyd: American silent film comedian.
- Jessie Lloyd: American pioneer author and poet.
- Stephanie Lloyd: American professional salsa dancer and instructor.
- Hugh Lloyd: British comedian, actor, and writer.
- Nick Lloyd: British rugby union player.
- Chris Lloyd: American television and radio personality.
- Stan Lloyd: Australian rules footballer.
- Catriona Lloyd: British childcare practitioner and author.
- Dion Lloyd: Australian rugby league player.
- Ella Lloyd: American stage actress.
- Stallyn Lloyd: American NFL player.
- Boyd Lloyd: American artist.
- John Luther Lloyd: American singer and songwriter.