Surname Wordlaw - Meaning and Origin

Wordlaw: What does the surname Wordlaw mean?

The surname Wordlaw does not have a clear, definitive meaning as it doesn't appear to directly originate from common words in English or other languages. It's possible that Wordlaw could be a variant of Wardlaw, a Scottish topographic name derived from the Old English words 'weard' meaning 'watch or guard' and 'hlaw' meaning a 'hill', essentially meaning 'lookout hill'. In this interpretation, Wordlaw would mean 'guardian of the law' or 'one who watches or guards the law'. However, the meaning could widely vary based on the cultural and geographical origins or history associated with the specific family line. Like many surnames, its meaning would be shaped by its historical, social and familial context. Therefore, without a specific context or further historical information attached to it, it's hard to provide a precise meaning of the last name Wordlaw. It's always recommended to investigate the particular genealogy and family history for a more accurate and personalized interpretation.

Wordlaw: Where does the name Wordlaw come from?

The surname Wordlaw is not very common and its origins are not clearly defined due to its rarity. It is probable that it is of Scottish origin, as it bears similarity to certain Scottish naming conventions and geographical names. An example is the location name Wardlaw, which comes from the Old English words 'weard' and 'hlaw', meaning 'watch hill' — a hill from which a lookout is kept.

Today, the surname Wordlaw is still quite rare, so there isn't a region in which it is particularly common. According to available data, it can be found sporadically in the USA. However, it is difficult to provide a precise location of prevalent usage due to its infrequent occurrence. Since many Scots emigrated to the USA, Canada, Australia, and other countries during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, it is plausible that the name could be found there. Many surnames have also evolved over time, and Wordlaw may have variations that are more common. Research is further complicated by the high incidence of spelling alteration in historical documents.

Variations of the surname Wordlaw

The surname Wordlaw, originating from the name of the village, Wardlaw in Scotland, has several variants or alternate spellings due to historical and regional factors. These include Wordlow, Wardlaw, Wardley, Wardlow, and Wardle. Despite the variations in spelling, these names likely all came from the same root words in Old English which means "watch hill".

The specific surname Wordlaw, however, is much less common and doesn't have many direct variations itself. Variant spellings of this surname based on different phonetic transcriptions, dialects and accents could potentially include 'Wordloh' or 'Wurdlaw'.

These surnames can also be extended with prefixes, suffixes, or clan affiliation markings based on cultural or personalized preference e.g. McWordlaw, O'Wardlow, Wordlawson, while individuals may also use double-barrelled names such as Wordlaw-Smith or Wardlaw-Jones.

It's important to note that the actual variations and extended forms of the surname might be influenced by personal and family choices, and it might not be possible to list all potential spellings, variants or surnames of the same origin. The pronunciation of 'Wordlaw' or its variants will also be subject to regional accents and dialects.

Famous people with the name Wordlaw

• Wayne Wordlaw: Wayne Wordlaw is a retired National Basketball Association (NBA) referee who officiated for nearly 25 years. He is most known for officiating both the 1995 and 1997 NBA Finals and the historic Michael Jordan-led 1996 Chicago Bulls Championship run.
• David Wordlaw: David Wordlaw is a former professional basketball player who had a successful career in the American Basketball Association (ABA). He scored 6,863 points in his ABA career and was named an All-Star twice.
• Lawrence Wordlaw: Lawrence Wordlaw is an actor who has appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions. He is most known for his roles in Silverado, The Neverending Story, Breakin' and Police Story III: Super Cop.
• Andrea Wordlaw: Andrea Wordlaw is an American music producer and vocalist. She has worked with numerous popular artists such as Nas, will.i.am, and J. Cole and has produced or been featured on several hit songs.
• Donna Wordlaw: Donna Wordlaw is an American poet, novelist and playwright. Her works have been produced across the country and she has received several awards, including the Roberta B. Williams Award for outstanding literary achievement.

Other surnames

Wordle