Judd
What is the origin of the last name Judd?
Meaning and origin
The last name Judd has its origin in the Old English personal name "Jordan," derived from the Hebrew name Yarden, meaning "descend" or "flow down." As a patronymic surname, Judd indicates "son of Jordan" and was first recorded in medieval England. The name eventually evolved into various spellings, including Jordan, Jurdan, Jurdain, and Judd.
The longer story
The last name Judd, like many surnames, is a fascinating reflection of history and culture. Upon delving into its meaning and etymology, several noteworthy facts emerge.
The surname Judd has English origins, primarily found in the region of Staffordshire, a county located in the West Midlands of England. It is classified as a patronymic surname, derived from the given name "Jude," itself a diminutive of the medieval name "Jordan." The name "Jordan" can trace its roots to the Hebrew name "Yarden," which means "descend" or "flow down."
In the United States, the highest concentration of individuals with this surname is found in the state of Utah. This observation suggests a potential connection to the Mormon pioneer settlers who arrived in Utah during the mid-19th century.
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.
#1,991
Judd was the 1,991st most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 18,110 people, about 5.9 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Judd
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Judd 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.