Surname Waldrop - Meaning and Origin
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Grasping the Waldrop Lineage: Unveiling Secrets of My Heritage through iGENEA DNA Test
My journey into genetic testing with iGENEA allowed me to explore a wealth of data hidden within my DNA. It not only confirmed my heritage, through the precision and depth of its findings, but also gave me insight into the unique history behind my surname, Waldrop.
C. Waldrop
read moreWaldrop: What does the surname Waldrop mean?
The surname Waldrop is of English origin and has a geographical context associated with its meaning. It is believed to be derived from the Old English terms “weald,” meaning forest, and “throp,” meaning settlement or village. Therefore, Waldrop can be interpreted as “forest settlement” or “forest village.” The name is believed to be a locational surname referring to a person who lived or came from such a place. Variations of the name may include Waldrup or Waldroup. As with many other European surnames, the spelling of Waldrop may have changed over the years, and it could have been influenced by factors such as regional dialects, illiteracy or immigration. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de Waldrup, in the "Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire," dated 1273. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop," often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling. Today, the name Waldrop is found in many English-speaking nations worldwide.
Order DNA origin analysisWaldrop: Where does the name Waldrop come from?
The last name Waldrop is most common today in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 3,800 living individuals with this surname. Additionally, Waldrop is among the top 5,000 surnames in the United States. The origin of the name is German, and the surname was first recorded in medieval times.
The largest number of Waldrops today is located in Georgia, followed by Alabama and North Carolina. Within those states, the cities with the highest numbers of individuals with this surname are Marietta and Decatur in Georgia, and Gastonia and Hickory in North Carolina. The city with the greatest concentration of the name is Summerville, Georgia, with a population of 462 Waldrops residing there.
In other countries, Waldrop is dispersed in smaller numbers. For example, in Canada there are 242, and in England there are 828. It can also be found in Australia, Denmark, and Ireland.
Today, most Waldrops have roots in the United States. The name is most associated with southern hospitality and a sense of community. They can be found in the United States as well as abroad, and they can trace their roots all the way back to the Middle Ages.
Variations of the surname Waldrop
The surname Waldrop is believed to be of German origin and to have derived from the name "Waldhrop" which is believed to come from the Germanic German word "halderof" which means "wooden shingle". It is also believed that it could have been an occupational surname for someone working as a thatcher or a roofer, specializing in wooden shingles. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Waldrop are as follows:
Variants: Waldrap, Waldropp
Spellings: Waldrop, Waldroup, Waldrope
Surnames: Waldhrop, Weldrop, Walderop, Waldroff, Waldropf
The surname Waldrop can also be found in various spellings throughout Central and Eastern Europe in countries like Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, and Czech Republic under the forms: Wałdrow, Wałdrop, Valřrop, and Vašek. In France it is found as Valderop, while in the Netherlands it can be found as Walderop. Waldrop is also an Americanized version of the German Waldhrop.
In terms of variations of the name Waldrop, it is believed that the spelling Walderop, which is the spelling used in the Netherlands and Flanders, is the oldest still in existence. The name Waldrop with an “o” appears to be the most common in The Netherlands, while Waldhrop with an “h” is the more common spelling in Germany. Waldrap and Waldropp are also variants that appear to be more popular in the United States.
The last name Waldrop is currently in a time of increasing popularity due to its status as an Americanized version of the original German Waldhrop. This has caused other, more historically accurate spellings of the name to become less common and consequently forgotten.
Famous people with the name Waldrop
- Richard A. Waldrop, (born 1942) American newspaper editor
- Chris Waldrop, (born 1962) American Strength Coach
- Bob Waldrop, (born 1964) American Activist and Author
- Julie Waldrop, (born 1965) American athlete
- Robert Waldrop, (born 1966) Contemporary Christian Music Pianist and Artist
- Paul Waldrop, (born 1968) American academic administrator
- John Waldrop, (born 1970) American politician
- Calista Waldrop, (born 1977) American actor
- John Waldrop, Jr., (born 1983) American country music musician
- Joe Waldrop, (born 1986) American professional baseball player
- Zachary Waldrop, (born 1989) American actor
- Sarah Waldrop, (born 1999) American model