Meaning and origin
The last name Waddell derives from the Old English personal name "Wadda," itself derived from the pre-7th century word "wad," meaning "to wade" or "to go through water." Often associated with individuals residing near rivers or water bodies, the name Waddell can be traced back to ancient Middle English and Scottish origins, signifying descent from a personal name.
The longer story
The last name Waddell originates from Scotland. It is a surname of Scottish Gaelic origin and is derived from the Old Norse personal name “Odall”, which means "prosperity". The name is found predominantly in Scotland, particularly in the areas of Lanarkshire, Glasgow, and Ayrshire.
One source suggests that the name Waddell has its roots in the Clan Fergusson. The clan is said to have originated in the 12th century when Gilleasbuig, the son of Ferchar, became the first chief of the clan. The name Waddell may have been adopted by members of the clan at some point in its history.
The Waddell surname is relatively rare in the United States. It can be traced back to Scottish immigrants who arrived in America in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
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.
#1,691
Waddell was the 1,691st most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 21,301 people, about 6.9 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Waddell
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Waddell 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.