L is for …

Based on: Reaney, P H, (ed. Wilson, R M), 1997, Oxford Dictionary of English Surnames, 3rd ed., OUP, Oxford, unless otherwise stated.

Lamb

Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred:  Robert & Elizabeth Lamb, parents of Joseph Lamb, born about 1831, Smethwick, Staffordshire.

A nickname from the animal, or a shortened version of Lambert.  This could be from St Lambert, venerated in Medieval Flanders, or Old English lamb and hierde, lamb-herd.

Lazenby

Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred: Hannah Lazenby, born about 1805, Drax, Yorkshire.

From village of Lazenby, North Yorkshire (or Lazonby, Cumbria).

Lidgbird

Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred: John Lidgbird, born about 1830, Church Broughton, Derbyshire.

Not covered by Reaney.  I can’t find anything about this.

Littler

Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred: Joseph Littler, born, about 1696, Longdon, Staffordshire.

Not covered in Reaney, but from Little, perhaps to distinguish two men of the same name.  Littler ismply being the superlative.

Lunn

Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred:  Samuel Lunn, born about 1836, Linton, Derbyshire.

A variant of the Norse lundr, for dweller by a grove.

There are several places in England, for example Lund in Lancashire, East Yorkshire, and North Yorkshire, Lunt in Merseyside, and Lound in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Suffolk.  Any of these could apply.

Lydall

Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred:  Edward Henry Lydall, born 1895, Brownhills, Staffordshire.

From Liddel, Cumbria, or Roxbourghshire.