Surname Liddy - Meaning and Origin

Liddy: What does the surname Liddy mean?

The surname Liddy is an anglicised variant of the Gaelic surname Ó Leide. The literal translation of the Ó Leide is the 'descendant of the physician', suggesting the first bearer of this name was a skilled healer.

Tracing the surname to its origin, the name has its root in the ancient and proud kingdom of Dalriada, which was located in Scotland and northwest Ireland. The kingdom was founded in the 5th century and extended from Cowal in modern day Scotland to Islay, in the Hebrides archipelago.

The influence of the kingdom is seen in the prevalence of the surname Liddy is seen mainly in the four provinces of Ireland. There are also families found in Scotland and Wales.

In the 19th century, there is record of the surname Liddy in Cork, Wexford and Monaghan in Ireland. There are also considerable numbers of the name in England, particularly in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Due to the varied locations of the surname bearer, the Liddy family has made its presence in a variety of occupations such as farming, the clergy, medicine and the law.

Overall, the Liddy family descended from a long history of Gaelic roots, one filled with blood and honour. Despite the displacement of the family through the centuries, the family has managed to maintain a faithful descendancy throughout its bearers, and the Liddy name can be found throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Liddy: Where does the name Liddy come from?

The last name Liddy is most commonly found in the United States and Ireland. In the US, it is typically found in the Midwest and Northeast. In Ireland, the last name is found in counties around Dublin and Cork.

In the United States, the last name is most often seen in Ohio, where it ranks 57th in the state. In Michigan, it is the 617th most common last name. Other states where the last name appears frequently are Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

In Ireland, Liddy is most commonly found in Dublin and the surrounding counties. The county Dublin has the highest number of Liddys. The last name is not as commonly found in North or West of Ireland.

Outside of the US and Ireland, Liddy is not a particularly common family name. It does appear in various parts of the United Kingdom, as well as in the Netherlands and Germany.

Overall, the Liddy name is not a common one. But in the US and Ireland, the last name is more and more common, especially in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States and in counties around Dublin and Cork in Ireland.

Variations of the surname Liddy

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Liddy are Liddy, Lidey, Lidea, Ledea, Lidee, Leddy, Liddy, Leady, and Lyddy.

The Liddy surname is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name “Mac Giolla Léite”, which means “son of the devotee of Saint Leite”. Leite was the name of a seventh century Irish saint, and many bearers of this surname are said to be descended from him. The name Mac Giolla Léite was anglicized to several different spellings, including Liddy.

The Liddy surname is believed to have originated in County Cork and then spread to other parts of Ireland, particularly County Clare. The variants and spellings can still be found associated with the counties today. In many cases, the spelling of the name changed as families migrated to England or overseas. This may explain why some of the more unusual variants, such as Lyddy, are now rarely seen.

The Liddy name is also found in the US and Canada, primarily the result of Irish emigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is one of many Irish surnames found in these countries and is easily recognizable because of its unique spelling variants.

The Liddy surname can be seen as a reminder of the long and rich history of Ireland and the many families who left their homes to start new lives overseas. Today, the name still stands as a testament to their courage and resilience in the face of adversity and continues to be passed down through the generations.

Famous people with the name Liddy

• G. Gordon Liddy: G. Gordon Liddy is a former FBI agent and White House counsel to President Richard Nixon. He is best known for his involvement in the Watergate scandal, where he was found guilty of burglary, conspiracy, and contempt of court.
• Cathy Liddy: Cathy Liddy is an American voice actor best known for her work in various video games, including Portal 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, and God of War: Ascension.
• Colin Liddy: Colin Liddy is an American entrepreneur who founded the business incubator Plug and Play in 2006. Other notable ventures include Zoosk, Dropbox, and Uber.
• Thomas Liddy: Thomas Liddy is an American novelist and screenwriter known for his work on the television show The West Wing. He’s also written several novels, such as The Family Hour and his latest novel, The Animal Prophet.
• Anne Liddy: Anne Liddy is an Irish writer and scholar of English literature. Her book Irish Women in Print, 1750-1920 is considered a classic in the field.
• Kathleen Liddy: Kathleen Liddy is a producer and director of films and television shows, particularly in the horror and science fiction genres. Her most notable credits include Maniac, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, and Jumanji.
• James Liddy: James Liddy is an American composer and musical director. He’s known for scoring films such as The Kids Are All Right, In the Bedroom, and The Village.
• David Liddy: David Liddy is an American author and illustrator. He’s written and illustrated numerous children's books, including The Adventures of Sam & Friends and The Mystery of the Missing Monkeys.

Other surnames

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