Surname Lusty - Meaning and Origin

Lusty: What does the surname Lusty mean?

The origins of the surname Lusty are disputed, but it is likely that it developed as a locational surname from a place name or a nickname. It is speculated that it is derived from an old Norman name, de Lusty, although this is not certain. It is a relatively uncommon surname in England today, with fewer than 2000 families still bearing it.

The most common suggestion for the meaning of the Lusty surname is that it is derived from the French noun “lausty” which means “joyful” or “rejoicing”. This definition is supported by the Oxford English Dictionary, suggesting that it potentially has religious or spiritual connotations. It is thought that the “Lusty” name might have been given to a happy or merry person in the Middle Ages.

There is also a theory that the surname originates from l’Ousti, which is a French word for a person from the Haut-de-Caux region in Normandy. Again, this is speculation as there is little evidence to back up this theory.

The Lusty name is not particularly common, and there are not many people who bear it. Nevertheless, those who do have deep family roots and are proud of their name. To paraphrase an old proverb, “a Lusty by any other name would smell as sweet”.

Lusty: Where does the name Lusty come from?

The last name Lusty is found primarily in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is quite a common surname there, particularly in London and its surrounding areas. It is a toponymic surname, derived from a place name, and derived from the Old English word lys-tig, meaning 'clearing in a wood' or 'meadow'.

The Lusty surname is associated with several notable people, including the British-Canadian educational theorist and school administrator Herbert E. Lusty, and New Zealand poet and playwright Barry Lusty.

Today, the Lusty surname is continued across generations by descendants with ties to the British Isles. It is common in Great Britain, as evidenced by the 1881 UK census in which more than 800 individuals were recorded with the Lusty surname. Beyond Britain, the surname is also seen in Irish records. It is also common in other countries across the world, especially those with historic ties to Britain. For example, it is a common surname in Australia, Canada, the United States, South Africa, New Zealand, and other former British colonies.

Variations of the surname Lusty

The surname Lusty has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants include Lusted, Lusteed, Lustyed, Lusate, Lusat, Lust, Liosty, Ljosty, Ljostie and Ljosti.

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Lusty share a common source, with the general meaning of ‘proud’ or ‘haughty’. These variants can be traced back to several regions throughout Europe and the British Isles. The surname is thought to have originated from a root word from either Old English or Germanic origin, with the root word ‘lust’ meaning ‘pride’ or ‘haughtiness’.

The variants of the surname include those stemming from English, Scottish and Irish origins. The surname is popular in Scotland due to its old roots in the Scottish-Gaelic language. The spelling of the surname there is often Lusaidh or Luasaidh and the meaning is still the same, of proud or haughty.

The variants have been known to be altered over time and place depending on the preferences of those passing it on. Different spellings or variant surnames are often seen when tracing the family histories of those with the surname Lusty. Even within the same geographic area, multiple spellings or surnames are seen due to the evolution and alteration of the surname over time.

The variants of Lusty are highly varied with a long history but always sharing the same source, of proud or haughty. Despite the many different spellings, the origin of the surname and its meaning remain the same throughout Europe and the British Isles.

Famous people with the name Lusty

• John Lusty: actor who has had roles in films such as Widow's Peak (1994) and Hot Fuzz (2007).
• Diana Lusty- actor who is known for her role as Stephanie in the 1998 horror movie I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.
• Stephen Lusty: bass player and vocalist of the UK rock band Boo Radleys
• Jetty Lusty: world-renowned dancer who has performed in multiple ballets and musicals, including Pinocchio, The Nutcracker, and Cats.
• Vic Lusty: award-winning screenwriter, producer, and director known for his film projects such as He Who Gets Slapped (1924) and The Masked Bride (1925).
• Victoria Lusty: singer-songwriter, and record producer who has released several albums including Flaunt (1999) and The Wolf Inside (2001).
• Benjamin Lusty: Emmy-award-winning sound engineer and member of The Recording Academy.
• David Lusty: professional rugby player who competed for the England National team.
• Jenifer Lusty: actress who is known for her roles in the films, Mimic (1997) and American Psycho (2000).
• Michael Lusty: photographer and visual artist with works that have been featured in galleries and museums around the world.

Other surnames

LustenbergerLustig