Surname Lark - Meaning and Origin
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Lark: What does the surname Lark mean?
The surname Lark is derived from the Middle English word lark, which has an Old Norse origin. The word was originally used to refer to a small bird, likely the skylark, that was known for its uplifting song and beautiful soaring flight.
By the 14th century, the word had become an English surname that was given to an individual who possessed an uplifting personality or was known for singing. It was most likely given to someone who was a cheerful and joyous person, or someone who was an excellent singer or musician. Alternatively, the name may have been given to someone who lived near a colony of skylarks.
The same word also appears in various European languages. In Danish, it is "lærke", in German it is "Lerche" and in Swedish it is "lärka". In Belgium, it is sometimes spelled "Larque".
Regardless of its origin, the surname Lark has a deep and symbolic meaning, as it suggests a positive, uplifting energy and having a good outlook in life. It has been shared among generations for hundreds of years and continues to carry this cheerful and joyous energy today.
Order DNA origin analysisLark: Where does the name Lark come from?
The last name Lark is particularly common in the United Kingdom. A quick search on the website Forebears, which tracks the frequency and geographic origin of surnames, reveals that the surname Lark is most common in Oxfordshire. Other countries in which the surname Lark is relatively frequent include Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Jersey.
The surname Lark is also found in the US, although not nearly as often as it is in the UK. Again, a quick check on Forebears shows that the surname Lark is most common in Maryland, followed by Illinois, Florida, and Georgia. It's also particularly well represented in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Alabama.
The surname Lark most likely originates from the bird of the same name. It is thought that the name may have been given to people who were "known for a particular affinity or skill with the bird". It's also possible that the surname Lark was adopted in other countries by those with English or Irish heritage.
Overall, the surname Lark is particularly common in the UK, particularly in Oxfordshire, but can also be found in the US in states such as Maryland, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Alabama.
Variations of the surname Lark
The surname Lark has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Examples of variant spellings are Larc, Larken, Larkin, Larks, and Larkson. Other surnames of the same origin include LaRoche, LeRoc, Larocca, DeLaRoch, LaRochefort, and Rochet.
The Lark surname can be traced back to pre-Norman Conquest England, when it derived from the personal name Lawrence. This name was brought to British shores by the Normans in 1066. The Lark surname originated as a patronymic nickname of a son of Lawrence, hence the variants of Larc, Larken, LaRoche, and Larkin.
In some instances, the Lark surname may also have derived from the old English pre 7th Century words ‘laece’ or ‘laerce’, meaning ‘teacher’ or ‘scholar’. In this case, it is likely that Lark was an occupational surname for a teacher or scholar.
Variant spellings of the Lark surnames include LaRochefort, DeLaRoc, LeRoc, and Larocca. It is believed that these variants are of French origin, and that the people bearing them followed the Norman Conquest to England.
The Lark surname can also be seen in Scotland, where it may have derived from the old Gaelic word ‘Lorc’, meaning ‘a man from Norway’. This suggests that the name may have its roots in Viking ancestry.
In total, the surname Lark has a range of variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, which are likely to have developed over the centuries. It is believed that the earliest variants were linked to Norman invasion, with regional variants arising in Scotland and France.
Famous people with the name Lark
- Barry Lark: Former professional rugby union player for the Scotland national rugby union team.
- Mary Lark: American professional golfer who competed on the LPGA Tour.
- Anthony Lark: Sky Sports presenter and former racing driver.
- Dmitriy Lark: Ukrainian professional football player.
- Jack Lark: English actor, most known for his role as “Admiral” in the 2019 film D-Day.
- Scotty Lark: Contemporary saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist who performs in a variety of jazz styles.
- Cecil Lark: Australian rules football player who represented West Australia in the VFL.
- Everett Lark: Voice actor most widely associated with video game voice-overs as well as lending his voice to various comedic podcasts and films.
- Richard Lark: Former British cyclist who rode in the 1964 Olympic Games for Great Britain.
- Eddy Lark: British actor, most notably known for his role as “Tommy” in the 2019 movie The Fixer.