Surname Lofting - Meaning and Origin

Lofting: What does the surname Lofting mean?

The surname Lofting is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Middle English word "lofting," which refers to a room or gallery in a building, often implying a place higher up, such as an attic or a loft, where items are stored or where certain works are performed. This profession-associated surname might have been initially given to someone who worked in such areas, such as a storekeeper or an artisan. Like many other English surnames, Lofting is a topographic surname, which was given to someone who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. It is also worth noting that the famous British author who wrote the Dr. Dolittle series, Hugh Lofting, also carried this surname. Over centuries, the name Lofting has seen numerous variations in its spellings, owing to changes in languages and regional dialect differences. However, regardless of spellings, surnames record the occupations, locations, characteristics, or significant events of individuals, making them essential elements of our individual and collective identities.

Lofting: Where does the name Lofting come from?

The surname Lofting is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English 'lofthús', which translates to 'loft house'. It's likely an occupational or locational surname, originally denoting those who lived in or worked in a loft house. The surname seasonably became Lofting or Loftin, among other variations, over time.

It became known in the late 19th and early 20th centuries mainly because of Hugh Lofting, the British author who created the classic children's character Dr. Dolittle. Despite this, the surname Lofting is relatively rare today. While it can be found around the world, thanks to global mobility, it remains most prevalent in England, particularly in the North and Midlands. It is also sparsely found in other English-speaking countries, such as the United States, Canada and Australia. Overall, it is not a common surname but stands out due to its association with literature.

Variations of the surname Lofting

The surname Lofting can be spelled in several ways to include Loftin, Lofton, Loften, Lofting, Lofoten, Loftingh, and Loftingen. Some surnames may have emerged as variants of Lofting over time and due to regional accents and various dialects.

The name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and may be derived from an old English word 'loft' which means 'upper room' or 'attic'. This might have been used as a nickname for those living in a house with a loft, or perhaps a status name for individuals living 'on high', in other words in a hilltop dwelling.

It has been seen that throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling. Furthermore, regional influences and migrations throughout history could have also resulted in variations of this surname in different parts of the world.

Your specific ancestry, the history of your family name and the evolution of the name itself can provide a lot of insight to your personal history and make a compelling family narrative. Hence, genealogical research can be very helpful in this context.

Famous people with the name Lofting

• Hugh Lofting: English author of the Doctor Dolittle books.
• Jo-Ann Lofting: Canadian screenwriter and story editor.
• Robert Lofting: English actor.
• John Lofting: English entrepreneur and philanthropist.
• Christy Lofting: Canadian actress.
• William Lofting: American politician and former member of the New York Senate.
• Arthur Lofting: Canadian architect, scholar, photographer and lecturer.
• Robert Lofting: British actor.
• Michael Lofting: American film editor and director.
• Heather Lofting: Canadian singer.
• Mary Lofting: British artist and writer.
• Christopher Lofting: American sculptor.
• Lewis Lofting: American racing driver.
• Edward Lofting: English poet.
• Richard Lofting: English actor.
• Charles Lofting: English composer and pianist.
• John Lofting Jr.: American entrepreneur and philanthropist.
• Percival Lofting: British author.
• Adam Lofting: American painter.
• Miles Lofting: British actor.

Other surnames

LoftinLoftis