Surname Waddill - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Waddill: What does the surname Waddill mean?
The surname Waddill is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English elements "wad," meaning "woad" (a yellow-flowered plant once used to make dye) and "hyll," meaning "hill". Therefore, the surname could originally refer to someone who lived near a hill where woad was grown. It's a geographical type of surname known as a topographic name. Please note, surnames can have multiple origins and meanings as they may have developed independently in different locations. Therefore, this should be considered one interpretation of the surname Waddill.
Order DNA origin analysisWaddill: Where does the name Waddill come from?
The last name Waddill is most commonly found today in the United States. Traceable roots of this surname, derived from the personal name Wadd, can be found in Scotland, the borders, and Northern England.
The two earliest records of the name Waddill come from the 16th century in Dumfries, Scotland, and Westmorland, England. Both records describe a William Waddel and his son, Arthur Waddel.
At the time, migration from area to area was not uncommon. Many families moved from Scotland and England to Ireland, and then to the United States and Canada. The Waddill surname also spread around the world, as descendants moved to countries like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Today, the Waddill surname is primarily found in the United States. According to the 2020 US Census, there were almost 4,000 people with the last name Waddill living in the United States. The most common states for the Waddill surname are Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas, and Georgia.
This just goes to show how far the Waddill surname has come, as it has traveled and spread across the world over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Waddill
The surname Waddill seems to originally have been an English name, and is derived from the Old English words "wad" and "wil" which mean "wonder" and "desire". Variants of this surname include Wadill, Wadel, Wadil, Waddel, Waddell, Waddel, Wadwill, Wadden, Wadwell, and Wadwells.
Waddill is not a common surname, however there are some regional variations such as Waddilove, Wadley, and Waddington. The surname Wadill is also seen spelled as Wadhill and Wadwell. Variants of this surname can be found in the United States, France, England, Germany, and Sweden.
In some parts of the world, the surname Waddill may have been modified over time, leading to other surnames of similar origin. Some of these variants are Wettel, Woodall, Waddill, Wadley, and Weddle. Another spelling variation of this surname is Wadel, which is also found in Germany and France.
In some cases, Waddill may be a nickname derived from the Old English words “wadda” and “wil” which mean “to hunt” or “desire”. It is also possible that the Waddill surname originated as a nickname for someone with the Old English given name Wadwulf, which means “wolf” or “one who is loyal”.
The Waddill surname may have been changed over time due to immigration or spelling errors. As such, some of the variants of Waddill could include Waddle, Wadduwa, Waddie, and Wadmull. Another related surname of the same origin is Waddey, which can be found in North America and Europe.
Famous people with the name Waddill
- Benjamin Waddill: An early African-American leader in the state of Mississippi.
- Dwight Waddill: American actor who appeared in many movies and television shows throughout his career.
- Ira Waddill: American judge who served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1889-1895.
- Philip Waddill: Former chairman and CEO of Frito-Lay.
- Steve Waddill: Former professional football player in the National Football League.
- Thomas Waddill: Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives in the 1990s.
- Charles Waddill: Member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1810-1817.
- Michael Waddill: American author and historian.
- Travis Waddill: Former professional basketball player for the New York Nets.
- Mark Waddill: Former drummer for Christian metal band, Stryper.