Surname Wallduck - Meaning and Origin
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Wallduck: What does the surname Wallduck mean?
The last name Wallduck is an interesting and unique name of Scandinavian origin. It is believed to have originated in Old Norse, meaning literally "wall duck". It is derived from the combination of two roots, wall and duck. The "wall" component corresponds to the Old Norse word völlr, meaning a flat field, whereas the "duck" component corresponds to the Old Norse word álka, meaning a waterfowl.
Therefore, the name Wallduck likely originated as a way to denote someone who resided near a flat field near a body of water that was populated by ducks. Alternatively, it could have been a nickname given to someone because they had an affinity for ducks or Lived near a body of water populated by them.
The Wallduck surname is still relatively uncommon today, though it may be found in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. This name is also occasionally used as a first name in Scandinavian countries.
Order DNA origin analysisWallduck: Where does the name Wallduck come from?
The last name Wallduck is not particularly common today, although there may be individuals with the name scattered around the world. The surname is thought to have originated in Sweden, where it is still found today; one of the earliest records of it appeared in 1526.
Centuries later the name was spread to other parts of Europe and North America with Swedish immigrants and their descendants. In the US, most of the Wallduck families settled in Illinois, Minnesota and New York and many still reside there today.
Throughout history, records have also been found in Canada, Australia, South Africa, India and other countries, indicating that people with this name migrated and settled worldwide. Even though the last name is not particularly popular or widespread today, it may have been much more common in the past, especially before migration led to the huge diasporas we can observe right now.
Overall, the surname Wallduck is not particularly common today, although it has likely been much more widespread in earlier centuries. Most families with this last name settled in the United States and Canada, though it is likely to be found in other countries as well, especially in areas with a significant Swedish population.
Variations of the surname Wallduck
The surname Wallduck (also spelled Walldouck) has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. Some of these variations include Waldouck, Walloduck, Willdock, Willdouck, Wallduc, Wylock, and Wildick.
The etymology of the surname Wallduck traces back to Old English, and refers to someone who was a professional resident of a walled town. The Old English words “weall” (meaning wall) and “duk” (meaning duck, or to duck) combined to form the name. This suggests that the original Wallduck holders were individuals involved in the management of a urban walled settlement, likely engaged in the overseeing and protecting of the gates and walls.
Another popular origin of the surname is one of Scottish and Irish descent, with the Gaelic variation of the name coming in the form of Mac Cuil. This form of the surname is derived from the Gaelic phrase “mac cuil” (son of the back) and likely refers to someone who worked in the weaving of tapestries in which the back of the tapestry was exposed to the public.
The earliest recorded spelling of the Wallduck surname in records from the 14th century, and appears in the charter of the Eburun Manucipet (1279-1327). The charter recorded a landowner and tenant duo, Godrid Wyloc and Its Wyloc.
The name has also been documented in county records from the late 14th and early 15th centuries in Essex, Hampshire, Kent, and Surrey. Records show that some members of the Wallduck family were given military titles in Scotland in the 16th century, leading some to believe the name originated from Scottish and Irish roots.
The Wallduck surname is still fairly common today and can be found scattered throughout the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Wallduck
- Willem Wallduck (Dutch-born British artist)
- Stephen Wallduck (Australian historian and author)
- Don Wallduck (American football coach)
- John Wallduck (American actor and stuntman)
- Ron Wallduck (British cartoon animator)
- Mark Wallduck (American documentary filmmaker)
- Philip Wallduck (American poet)
- Deborah Wallduck (American entrepreneur and author)
- Jan Wallduck (Dutch painter and sculptor)
- Laurence Wallduck (British theatre director and writer)