Surname Southerlan - Meaning and Origin
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Southerlan: What does the surname Southerlan mean?
The last name "Southerlan" appears to be a variation of "Southerland" or "Sutherland", originating from Scotland. It is a geographical surname that refers to a person who came from the region of Sutherland in the highlands of Scotland. The name "Sutherland" literally translates to 'southern land,’ as it was viewed from the vantage point of the Viking raiders from the Orkney and Shetland Islands situated to the north of mainland Scotland. Therefore, "Southerlan" likely also signifies a connection to this southern land. The spelling variant could have emerged from non-standardized practices of recording names in historic times or could simply represent family-specific modifications. As with most surnames, it could potentially trace lineage, occupational role, geographical origin, or even a prominent ancestor.
Order DNA origin analysisSoutherlan: Where does the name Southerlan come from?
The last name Southerlan is most commonly found in the United States today. It's believed to be of British origins. Census records suggest that it first started to appear in the late 1700s when people began to move from England and Scotland into the colonial regions of the United States.
As the name spread, it began to show up in different areas throughout the US. Today, Southerlan is still most strongly represented in the southern states, although small numbers of the name can be seen all throughout the country, and even in parts of Canada.
The 2020 United States Census listed the geographic distribution of the Southerlan last name – the two states with the highest populations were Alabama and Florida. The subsequent states (in order) with the most people bearing the surnamne are Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Arkansas.
When looking at major metropolitan areas, most Southerlans appear to be concentrated in cities in the states mentioned above, particularly Birmingham, AL, Jacksonville, FL, Atlants, GA, Memphis, TN, Dallas, TX, and Richmond, VA. In addition, one can spot smaller pockets of the Southerlan surname around the US – especially in certain parts of California, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and other states.
Although the Southerlan surname is not as common today as it once was, it is still seen in most areas of the United States. It is generally concentrated in the southeast region of the country, and its presence can still be found in numerous metropolitan cities as well.
Variations of the surname Southerlan
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Southerlan are Southerland, Southerlin, Southland, Southlin, and Southerling.
Southerland is the most commonly used variant of the surname, originating in Scotland in medieval times. It can be found in a variety of spellings and is derived from Old English souther and land, which describe someone from the south. It can be seen in various records with spellings such as Sochland, Suchland, Sovland, and Suthland.
Southerlin is another variation of the surname Southerland and is relatively rare. It is derived from Old English souther and lin, meaning a person from the south. This spelling can be seen as early as the 15th century, but its origin is uncertain.
Southland is a variant of the surname, but is less common today. It derives from Old English souther and land and was used mainly in Scotland and Ireland. This spelling can be seen in Norman records from the 12th century.
Southlin is another rare spelling of the surname and is a variant of Southerland. It originates from Old English souther and lin and was used mainly in Scotland and Ireland in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Finally, Southerling is yet another variation of the surname Southerland. It is derived from Old English souther and ling,which can be interpreted to mean someone from the south. This spelling can be seen in medieval records, but its origin is uncertain.
Famous people with the name Southerlan
- John Southerlan: American actor best known for his role as Boone Karlson in the television series The 4400.
- E. Frederic Southerlan: an American Civil War veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor for his service.
- Meg Southerlan: American film and television actress, best known for her roles in the films Legally Blond and High School Musical 2.
- Bob Southerlan: professional baseball player in the early twentieth century.
- Lisa Southerlan: American professional soccer player who has represented the United States in several international tournaments.
- Michael Southerlan: British composer and sound designer for film and television.
- Ann Southeran: American artist and philanthropist, credited with spearheading the Rome Prize for excellence in the arts.
- Benjamin Southerlan: American writer and illustrator, best known for the book series Ghostopolis.
- Dann Southerlan: pioneer in the field of audio engineering and Grammy-winning producer.
- Ian Southerlan: award-winning American fantasy and science fiction author.