Surname Lakes - Meaning and Origin
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Lakes: What does the surname Lakes mean?
The last name Lakes is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is an occupational surname which refers to someone who lived near a body of water, probably a lake. It is derived from the Middle English word “lak” which means “to lie” or “to remain” combined with the Old English word “ceosel” which means “wide expanse of water”.
The surname Lakes first appeared in England during the Middle Ages, and its earliest recorded use can be traced to William del Lacke in 1185 in Buckinghamshire. It was a popular name among families in the south and east of England, particularly in counties such as Norfolk, Cambridge and Kent.
The original bearers of the Lakes surname were likely involved in the fishing or boat-building industries as associated with lakes, and today individuals with this name often have a strong connection to their local waterways and water-based activities. Lakes families may also have a long history of sailing, hunting and exploring the English waterways.
Given the origins and history of the name, it is appropriate to describe the family Lakes as one interwoven with the landscape and activities associated with English lakes and rivers.
Order DNA origin analysisLakes: Where does the name Lakes come from?
The last name Lakes is relatively rare; however, it is found throughout the United States and in many countries around the world. In the United States, the most common locations are California and Texas, with small pockets of Lakes found in the Northeast, Midwest, and South.
In California, most Lakes can be found in the greater Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas. There are also numerous Lakes listed in the Sutter, San Joaquin, and El Dorand counties of California. In Texas, many Lakes are living in or close to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
Internationally, Lakes can be found in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and various countries in Europe, such as Italy and Germany. Smaller numbers of the surname have also been found in Russia, South Africa, and India.
The surname Lakes is likely derived from the Middle English lak, meaning “a shallow pond, lake or marsh.” It is very probable the surname was given to those who lived on or near a lake, and later adopted as a surname.
Variations of the surname Lakes
The surname Lakes is a locational surname, derived from an area named Lak or Lake, meaning a lake or one dwelling near a body of water, which was usually a source of livelihood as well.
The earliest recorded spelling of the surname Lakes is Leche from the records of 1086. Variants of Lakes include Lake, Leek, Laik, Lecke, Lek, Lech, Lees, Leese, Leach, Liam, and Lakin.
The Lake spelling is most common in England and Wales, while Leech is found more often in Scotland, where it is thought to have emerged from the Old English word flow, which means a stream.
The spelling variations of Lakes indicate how the surname may have been transmitted between different countries over time. For example, Lakes may have been spelled Leche in England, while Lees may have been used in Germany and Leach in Ireland.
In Scotland, Lakes may also have been spelled Lachen, Leckie, or Leckey. In both Scotland and Ireland, the surname Lakes was sometimes spelled with an ‘h’ at the end, such as in Lekh, Leche, Lechh, and Likhe.
Other variants of the Lakes surname include Lacs, Laque, Lax, Laqueaux, Lackey, and Laqueau, as well as spellings of Laxton and Lawston in England.
The Lakes surname is also seen in the Jewish tradition, where it is spelled Lech, or Lakesh. Elsewhere it can be found as a combination of surnames such as Lakeman, Leekman, and Lakeman.
Famous people with the name Lakes
- Yvonne Lakes, American Singer and Actress
- Whitney Lakes, American Painter
- Owen Lakes, American Actor
- April Lakes, American Actress
- Tessa Lakes, American Politician
- Sarah Lakes, American Author
- Layla Lakes, Australian Rapper
- Sean Lakes, Australian Golf Player
- Logan Lakes, British Painter and Sculptor
- Harvey Lakes, Canadian Film Producer
- Jason Lakes, Canadian Author
- Shane Lakes, Canadian Hockey Player
- Jayden Lakes, Indian Model
- Paige Lakes, Irish Model
- Isabelle Lakes, Irish Actor
- Karl Lakes, German Soccer Player
- Evan Lakes, American Singer
- Hunter Lakes, American Surfer
- Kenneth Lakes, British Actor
- Rio Lakes, British Race Car Driver