Surname Lake - Meaning and Origin
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Exploring Ancestral Surprises Through iGENEA DNA Test: A Journey Into the Depth of 'Lake' Surname
When I opted to unravel my heritage through the iGENEA DNA test, I wasn't prepared to face the eye-openers about my surname 'Lake'. From unexpected geographical origins to historical migratory patterns, the journey through my family history was a cascade of surprises.
T. Lake
read moreLake: What does the surname Lake mean?
The surname Lake is of English origin and is believed to have been derived from the Middle English term "laik", which means "play". It is a topographical surname for someone who lived by a stream or a topographic name for someone who lived by a lake. During the Middle Ages, it was often used to describe someone who was a fun-loving, merry person. Alternatively, it could be an occupational name for a person who was a sportsman or a court jester. It is also quite common for English surnames to be derived from places, so individuals with the surname Lake may have ancestors that lived near a lake. Like many surnames, over time, the spelling and pronunciation of Lake may have changed and thus it can be found in many variants. Today, this surname is quite prevalent in the United States, England, and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisLake: Where does the name Lake come from?
The surname 'Lake' is of English origin and it is derived from the Middle English word 'lake,' which means stream. It was commonly used to denote a person who lived by a stream or a water body. The name can be traced back to medieval times in the British Isles, particularly in regions of Cornwall and Devon. Today, it is a common last name in England and other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Apart from the geographical derivation, the surname 'Lake' may also be an anglicization of the Irish Gaelic surname 'Loch,' which also means lake. Like many other surnames, it started being used as a form of identification once cities started growing and more people had the same first name. The surname 'Lake' can also be found in different forms such as 'Lakes' or 'Lakin.' Despite its origin and widespread use in English-speaking countries, it is shared by a relatively small number of people, making it a somewhat unique, albeit well established, surname.
Variations of the surname Lake
The surname "Lake" originates from Old English roots, indicating a geographical feature. It was traditionally assigned to those living near or by a lake. As such, there can be many variations to this surname based on region, dialect, or spelling choices made over time.
Common variations of the surname "Lake" include Lacke, Lakke, Laks, Leake, Leak, Leyk, Laik, Laike, and Leck. It also has some assimilations such as "Atterlake" meaning ‘at the lake’. Depending on its geographical location, in Scotland, the equivalent might be found as "loch", as "llyn" in Wales or "mere" in some parts of England.
The surname can also be found in its unchanged form in many other languages like the French, Italian, Spanish, or Dutch, hence branching out to texts of different languages, some of which are still spoken today.
As surname spelling was not standardized until the last few centuries, many of these spelling variations have been recorded in historical documents for the same individual. So, if you're researching the family history of someone with the surname "Lake," it's important to consider all potential spelling variations.
Famous people with the name Lake
- Gary Lake: British para-athlete and swimmer known for his many world records and European medals in the S8 classification, Paralympic gold medalist.
- John Lake: Canadian politician, first mayor of Enoch Cree Nation after Treaty 6 was signed.
- Bobby Lake: American radio and television host and cassette musician, known for the WKKC-FM show Bobby Lake's Home Grown.
- Thomas J. Lake: American actor in the television and film industry.
- Olga Lake: Russian ballerina, principal dancer of the Mariinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg.
- David Alan Lake: American actor, writer and producer, known for The Adventures of Superboy and Mystery Guest.
- Steven Lake: American actor best known for his roles on the television series The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless and the movie Friday the 13th Part 5.
- Chad Lake: American singer and songwriter, frontman of the alternative rock band Blitz.
- Nicky Lake: British comedian, actor in films such as Absolutely Anything, and voicing the character of "Norman" in the TV series Norman Picklestripes.
- Jordan Lake: American actor, best known for his role in the series The Ranch, as well as for the film Love, Simon.