Caldwell
What is the origin of the last name Caldwell?
Meaning and origin
The last name Caldwell, of Scottish origin, derives from a habitational name referring to a place of the same name in North Yorkshire, England. The name is derived from Old English elements: "cald," meaning "cold," and "well," indicating a spring or stream. The Caldwell surname may also be derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cathail," suggesting a Scottish Highland origin.
The longer story
Caldwell is of English and Scottish origin. It is a locational surname derived from various places in England and Scotland that share the name. The name is composed of the Old English words "cald," meaning "cold," and "well," meaning "a spring or stream." The name suggests that the original bearers lived near a cold well or spring.
His philosophical and political theories had a lasting impact on American politics.
The surname Caldwell has been recorded in various forms throughout history, including Caldewell, Cawdewell, Caudwell, and more. These variations are a result of regional or phonetic influences over time. The name has spread beyond its original locations and can be found throughout the English-speaking world.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#327
Caldwell was the 327th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 93,944 people, about 32 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Where it is found
Countries linked to Caldwell.
Surnames like Caldwell
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Caldwell is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.