Surname Twaddle - Meaning and Origin

Twaddle: What does the surname Twaddle mean?

The last name Twaddle is believed to be a topographic name for someone who lived near swampy ground, derived from the Middle English word "twaddel" which would have referred to this type of environment. The surname is thought to have originated in Yorkshire, but is also found in some other parts of Great Britain.

The etymology of the name Twaddle suggests a rather negative connotation, as the word "twaddle" is often defined as foolish or inane talk or writing. It is possible the family name was derived from a nickname, used to describe someone who was known for being talkative and not particularly articulate.

The use of a surname in this way in British society dates back to a period when recognising a family by name was a strong way of displaying their individual identity and status in the community. Members of the Twaddle family are believed to have been farmers, with some also involved in manufacturing.

Today, the surname Twaddle continues to be a distinct one, with families bearing the name featuring prominently in some areas of England and Scotland. It is a great source of pride for those who carry the name, to have a shared origin story that speaks of the strength, resilience and courage of the Twaddle family.

Twaddle: Where does the name Twaddle come from?

The last name Twaddle is most common in the United Kingdom, particularly in the regions of Yorkshire and Lancashire. According to the website Forebears, Twaddle is the 16,105th most common surname in the U.K.

Twaddle is also still found in some areas of New South Wales in Australia, mainly in the mid to lower Blue Mountains region.

The surname Twaddle is believed to derive from the Middle English word twaddel, meaning ‘chat’ or ‘conversation’. In some cases, it might also have been used as a nickname for somebody prone to talking at length, or even as an occupational name for somebody who often chatted, perhaps a barman or barber.

In the U.S., the surname Twaddle is far less common, with Forebears estimates suggesting that only around 110 people in the entire country bear the surname. The highest concentrations are across Washington, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and California.

Overall, the last name Twaddle is still relatively common today in the U.K., and can also still be found in some areas of Australia and the United States. Its origins point to the Middle Ages, when it almost certainly began life as a nickname.

Variations of the surname Twaddle

Twaddle is an English surname with multiple variants, spellings and origins. Most commonly, the surname Twaddle is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name Twadda, which in turn comes from the Old Norse nickname Thvadi. The variant spellings of Twaddle include Twaddell, Twaddill, Twadley, Twaddles, Toddle, and Twdall.

The Twaddle surname is most likely derived from an occupational term or description of a person. In medieval England names were often derived from a person’s job or position in life. For instance, someone who was a builder may have been called ‘Builder’ or ‘Build’ and one who operated a mill might be called ‘Mill’ or ‘Miller’. In this case, Twaddle and its variants may have been used to describe someone who was a garrulous speaker, one who talked too much or too idly.

Twaddle might also be derived from the Germanic given name Thwadi or the Old Norse Thvadi. Thwadi was a personal female name, deriving from an element meaning ‘thought’ or ‘opinion’. Thvadi was a nickname: the Old Norse form of the same element meant ‘foolish talk’. It is quite possible that the Twaddle surname was adopted as an English variant of either of these given names by someone living in an area formerly under German or Norse occupation or influence.

Twaddle is also related to surnames such as Tweddle, Tweedle, and Twittle. All of these surnames have numerous variant spellings and meanings and are of English, Scottish and Irish origin. Although the origin of each of these surnames may vary, they all likely share a common origin with the surname Twaddle.

Famous people with the name Twaddle

• Donna Twaddle, former Member of Parliament for Redditch in England
• David Twaddle, American academic
• Adam Twaddle, English singer-songwriter
• Timothy Twaddle, Australian rules footballer
• Patrick Twaddle, English professional cricketer
• Richard Twaddle, Canadian jazz bassist
• Mark Twaddle, American businessman
• Jason Twaddle, English broadcaster
• Stephen Twaddle, British television presenter
• John Twaddle, American stand-up comedian

Other surnames

Twaddell