Origins of the Ludlow Name
The surname Ludlow is of habitational origin, derived from the town of Ludlow in Shropshire, England. The placename itself stems from Old English "hlud-hlaw", meaning "the hill by the loud river" (referring to the roaring waters of the River Teme).
Early records of the name appear shortly after the Norman Conquest, as families migrating from the Shropshire region took the name of their origin town to identify themselves in official tax rolls and parish registers across neighboring counties.
Distribution & Migration
DNA testing of male Ludlows indicates that there are at least five (and likely more) unrelated Ludlow families traceable back to Steventon, Berks; Darenth, Kent; Shipton Moyne, Gloucs; Hill Deverill, Wilts and Ludlows that changed their name from Ludlum. Further there are Ludlows from Ireland that almost certainly began as Laidlaw's in Scotland.
Today, Ludlows are to be found all over the British Isles, North America, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
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A one-name study is an ongoing project. If you bear the surname, have Ludlow ancestors, or hold family records, we would love to hear from you.
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