Name Directory by Last Name: Last Names Starting with La

The surname Langlois has its roots in France, deriving from the Old French term "langlois," which translates to "the Englishman" or "the one from England." This surname likely emerged during the medieval period, particularly in the 12th century, when the Norman Conquest brought significant English influence to French culture. The name is often associated with individuals who may have had connections to England, either through trade, military service, or migration.

The surname Latham has its historical roots in England, particularly in the northern regions, where it is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "lath," meaning "a barn" or "a farm." The name is thought to have first appeared in the 13th century, with early records indicating its association with various locations named Latham, such as Latham in Lancashire. Over time, the surname became linked to specific occupations, particularly in agriculture and land management, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of its bearers.

The surname Larsdatter has its roots in Scandinavian naming traditions, particularly in Norway and Denmark, where it historically indicated lineage. The suffix "-datter" translates to "daughter of," suggesting that the name was used to denote a female descendant of an individual named Lars.

The surname Langford has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English elements "lang," meaning "long," and "ford," referring to a river crossing.

The surname Langley has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English elements "lang," meaning "long," and "leah," meaning "wood" or "clearing." This suggests that the surname originally referred to someone who lived near a long clearing in a forest or a long stretch of land.

The surname Larsdr has its historical roots in Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden and Norway, where it is derived from the Old Norse name "Lárus," meaning "laurel" or "victory." The suffix "dr" indicates a patronymic origin, suggesting that the name originally denoted "son of Lars." This naming convention was common in Norse culture, where lineage and familial ties were of great importance. Over time, the surname Larsdr would have been associated with various occupations, often linked to agrarian lifestyles or trades prevalent in rural communities.

The surname Laird has its historical roots in Scotland, deriving from the Scots word "laird," which means "landowner" or "lord." This term was used to denote a person of some social standing who owned land, particularly in the Lowland regions of Scotland. The surname likely emerged in the medieval period, around the 12th century, as feudal systems became more established, and land ownership became a significant marker of social status.

The surname Landis has its roots in the Germanic and Dutch regions, deriving from the Middle High German word "lant," meaning "land" or "territory." It is believed to have first appeared in the medieval period, particularly in the areas that are now modern-day Germany and the Netherlands. The name likely referred to individuals who were landowners or those who worked the land, reflecting the agrarian society of the time.

The surname Lavoie has its historical roots in France, particularly in the region of Normandy, where it first appeared in the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old French word "la voie," meaning "the way" or "the path," which likely referred to a geographical feature or a route that was significant to the community.

The surname Laughlin has its roots in the Gaelic name "O'Lochlainn," which translates to "descendant of Lochlann," a term historically used to refer to Norse settlers from Scandinavia. The name first appeared in Ireland, particularly in the province of Ulster, during the early medieval period.

The surname Lacy has its historical roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old French name "Lacy," which itself is believed to have originated from the Latin "Lacius." The name first appeared in the 12th century, particularly after the Norman Conquest of 1066, when many French names were introduced into England. The Lacy family was associated with the lands of Lacy in Normandy, and the name is often linked to the noble lineage of the Lacy family, who held significant estates in England, particularly in Herefordshire and Shropshire.

The surname Lacey has its historical roots in medieval England, deriving from the Old French name "Lacée," which means "from Lassy," a place in Normandy. The name first appeared in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066, when many Normans settled in England, bringing their surnames with them.

The surname Land has its historical roots in various European regions, particularly in England and Germany, where it is derived from the Old English word "land," meaning "land" or "ground." This surname likely originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a specific piece of land or a geographical feature, or it could have been occupational, referring to someone who worked the land. Over time, the surname has been associated with agricultural roles, reflecting the agrarian societies of medieval Europe.

The surname Layton has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances dating back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Old English elements "leah," meaning "clearing" or "meadow," and "tun," meaning "enclosure" or "settlement." Thus, Layton can be interpreted to mean "settlement by the meadow" or "farm in the clearing." This surname likely originated as a locational name, referring to individuals who lived near or were associated with a specific geographical feature.

The surname Langdon has its historical roots in England, with its earliest appearances traced back to the medieval period. The name is derived from Old English elements, specifically "lang," meaning long, and "dun," meaning hill or hillock, suggesting a geographical origin related to a long hill.

The surname Laporte has its historical roots in France, deriving from the Old French word "porte," meaning "door" or "gate." This suggests that the name may have originally been a topographic surname for someone who lived near a gate or door, possibly of a fortified town or a significant building. The surname can be traced back to the medieval period, with its earliest appearances recorded in various regions of France.

The surname Lanier has its historical roots in France, deriving from the Old French word "laniere," which means "strap" or "thong." This suggests that the name may have originally been occupational, referring to someone who made or sold leather straps or thongs, possibly for use in various trades. The surname first appeared in historical records in the 13th century, particularly in regions of northern France.

The surname Lawler has its historical roots in Ireland, particularly deriving from the Gaelic name "O'Leathlobhair," which translates to "descendant of Leathlobhar." The name Leathlobhar is believed to mean "the half-illustrious" or "the half-heroic," suggesting a lineage that may have had noble or significant connections. The Lawlers were primarily associated with the province of Leinster, particularly in counties like Kilkenny and Wexford.

The surname Lathrop has its historical roots in England, specifically deriving from the Old English elements "laet" meaning "to lead" and "hrop" which refers to a "river" or "stream." The name is believed to have originated in the medieval period, with early records indicating its presence in the 13th century. Lathrop was likely associated with individuals who lived near a river or stream, suggesting a geographical connection to water bodies.

The surname Laroche has its historical roots in France, deriving from the Old French word "roche," meaning "rock" or "stone." This surname likely originated as a topographical name for individuals living near a notable rock formation or cliff, or it could have been a nickname for someone with a strong, steadfast character. The earliest records of the surname date back to the medieval period, with variations appearing in different regions of France.