Surname Judd - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'J'
Unlocking History and Making Global Connections: A Personal Experience with iGENEA DNA Test
Embark on a captivating genetic journey with the iGENEA DNA test. Discover your hidden heritage and connect with distant relatives through this easy, comprehensive, and rewarding process.
M. Judd
read moreJudd: What does the surname Judd mean?
The surname Judd is of English origin and is derived from a medieval personal name, Judd, which is a variant of the personal name Jordan. It comes from the Hebrew name Yarden, and its popularity in the Middle Ages was primarily due to the crusaders who would bring back water from the Jordan River to baptize their children. The river's name in Hebrew, 'Yarden,' means "one which descends," referring to the river flowing down to the Dead Sea. So, the surname Judd could indirectly mean "one who descends." However, it's important to note that surnames often evolve over centuries, with spellings and meanings changing over time, and the environments they are used in. So, it is more accurate to consider the name as identifying someone's ancestors with the first name Judd or Jordan. Also, as a surname, it represents a person's familial identity rather than a specific meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisJudd: Where does the name Judd come from?
The surname Judd has Anglo-Saxon origins and it is primarily used in English-speaking countries. It is believed to have originated from a personal name, either from "Ead" meaning "prosperity" or "fortune" in Old English or from the Hebrew name "Yehudi" meaning "praised".
As a surname, Judd started to appear in England during the Middle Ages. Early records show its use in the county of Kent as early as the 13th century. As people began to migrate, the name Judd started to be found in other parts of the world. During the period of British colonization, it was brought to North America and other parts of the English-speaking world.
Today, Judd is still most common in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and the UK. According to recent statistics, it ranks as the 3,641st most common surname in the world. Approximately 67,349 people bear the Judd surname globally, with the majority found in the United States, followed by England, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Judd
The surname Judd has variations and spellings that due to factors such as translation, regional differences, translation errors and accents. Judd is a primarily English surname, a variant of the given name Jordan. It was often turned into a surname during the Middle Ages for individuals named Jurd or Jud, short forms of Jordan.
Common variations and spellings of the surname Judd include: Jud, Jude, Jod, Jode, and Judds. A few more complex variations might include Judson, Judsen and Judkins, derived by adding the suffix '-son' or '-kins', meaning 'son of Jud'.
It is also worth mentioning that there might be some surnames that sound similar or are occasionally mistyped as Judd, like Judge, Hudd or Rudd, but these are not recognised as variants, as their origins are different.
For each of these variations, there can also be surnames with the addition of 's, often used to mean "child of," such as Jude's or Judd's. Despite these potential variations, "Judd" is the most universally recognized and commonly used spelling of the surname.
Famous people with the name Judd
- Naomi Judd: American country music singer, songwriter, and activist
- Ashley Judd: American actress and political activist
- Wynonna Judd: American singer, songwriter, and actress
- Judd Apatow: American film director, producer, writer, and actor
- Judd Hirsch: American actor best known for his roles in “Taxi” and “Grandfathered”
- Phil Judd: New Zealand musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer
- Adele Judd: American country singer-songwriter and television presenter
- David Judd: American ice hockey player
- Fletcher Judd: American politician and public servant
- Dan Judd: American football player and coach