Surname Louden - Meaning and Origin

Louden: What does the surname Louden mean?

The last name Louden is believed to be of English or Scottish origin, with records of the surname as far back as 1296. The name is thought to be derived from a placename or a topographical feature, as many surnames were derived from such features. In Scotland, the earliest known references of the name are found in the East Lothian region, where landowner Robert de Louden is believed to have lived in the 13th century. In England, there are records of John Louden in the 13th century from Somerset and from Robert de Louden in Oxfordshire in the 13th and 14th centuries.

The original meaning of the name may have been derived from an old English word ‘hlud’, meaning ‘loud’, as many of the earliest recorded examples of the name in Scotland and England are found with spellings such as Ludden, Loudan and Loughden. It is possible, therefore, to suggest that the name originally denoted a person who was noisy and cause a disturbance. This could have meant the person was prone to shouting a lot or that they lived nearby a loud or boisterous place.

An alternative derivation of the name originates from a Scottish placename called Loudoun, located close to Galston, East Ayrshire. Here, old records show that Lord Annculus de Loudun was heredity commander of the area, suggesting that many people with the surname may have originated from here.

Overall, the surname Louden likely has multiple origins, deriving from a combination of sources including older English placenames or topographical features, as well as Scottish placenames.

Louden: Where does the name Louden come from?

The last name Louden is most commonly found throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland. According to the British National Archives, the surname was first present in Scotland in 1479. The name has Scottish Gaelic and Norse origins, and may derive from the Old Norse name 'Hlud' which means 'loud, or famous'. The Louden version of the name is said to have first come about in Scotland during the 12th century.

In more modern times, the name is still well established in Scotland, as well as having spread to other parts of the UK, and into the US and Canada. The Scotland Speaks website notes that the name is believed to still be quite common in the Scottish Borders, particularly in Lauder, a small village in this region. Other areas that host prominent Louden family populations include Fife, Aberdeenshire, and parts of Glasgow.

The family name Louden is also found in Northern Ireland, where it is most commonly found in Antrim, Armagh, and Down. In the US, the Louden surname can be found in Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, and other states, with Louden families of German descent. In Canada, the name is particularly prominent in New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario.

Variations of the surname Louden

The surname Louden is an anglicized form of the Scottish name MacLoudon or MacLouden, which is derived from the Gaelic patronymic Mac Labhdainn. The traditional meaning of the name is "son of labhdainn", which is Mackintosh of the Loudon Clan in the Highlands.

Variants and spellings for this surname are MacLoudon, MacLouden, MacLudan, MacLudden, MacLudon, MacLudden, MacLoudon, Loudun, Loudon, Loudin, Loudan, and Louden. All of these variants come from the same Gaelic origin.

The most common variations and spellings of the surname today are Loudon, Louden, and Loudin. If you are searching for any kinship to the Loudon Clan in Scotland, these are the most likely names you will find in records and genealogical documents.

In some cases, variations of the name Louden may include variants of the original root. For example, some people may have adopted the surname MacLoudon or MacLouden, which includes a different spelling of the same Gaelic root.

The surname Louden has also been Anglicized in other parts of the world. In some regions, these variations may include Laudan, Laudon, Laudin, and Lauden. In addition, some of these Anglicized versions may have adopted additions to them over time such as de Louden or van Louden.

Famous people with the name Louden

• Chris Louden: Former professional baseball player.
• Gavin Louden: Actor, known for his roles in I Zombie and the ABC sitcom The Middle.
• Joey Louden: He is a gridiron football player.
• Wallace Louden: Politician and former US Representative from Illinois.
• Jim Louden: Former professional golfer.
• Paul Louden: Automobile racing driver.
• Wayne Louden: actor, known for the movie Manhattan.
• Mike Louden: the former president of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
• Steve Louden: Former professional boxer.
• Elaine Louden: Actress, known for her roles in Scary Movie 4 and the TV series “How to Live with Your Parents.”
• Phil Louden: Former bass guitarist for The Left Banke.
• Lauren Louden: Actress and stage performer, known for her roles in “Mamma Mia!” and “The Michael J. Fox Show.”
• Donald Louden: Software engineer, best known for his work on the Monterey Waterfront project.
• Valerie Louden: Judge of the Superior Court of California who was appointed by Governor Gray Davis.
• Holly Louden: Entrepreneur and investor who co-founded the Louden Investment Group.
• Robert Louden: Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey.
• Scott Louden: Violinist and composer, known for his work in musical theatre.
• Brook Louden: Singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the Australian band Little Birdy.
• Carl Louden: TV producer and film editor, best known for his work on the classic British series “Top of the Pops.”
• Kevin Louden: Film director, producer and winner of multiple awards, known for his work on “The Producers” and “The Big Lebowski.”

Other surnames

LoudenstoneLouder