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Waldrop History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Waldrop History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Scotland
England

The surname Waldrop is thought to have emerged in the borderland region between Northern England and Scotland. The name is derived from the Old Norman "warderobe," a name given to an official of the wardrobe, and was most likely first borne by someone who held this distinguished position. 1

The name is "from the office of keeper of the royal wardrobe. The wardrobe was a repository not only for articles of dress, but for furniture not actually in use, and for foreign spices and confections." 2

Early Origins of the Waldrop family

The surname Waldrop was first found in Scotland, where Robertus de Warderob witnessed a charter by Countess Margaret of Buchan in favor of the Abbey of Arbroath in 1210. "John de Wardroba laid claim to certain lands in Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire, c. 1270, and Randinus de Warderoba witnessed a quitclaim of Beeth Waldef in Fife, 1278. Alisaundre de la Garderobe of Edinburghshire and David de la Garderobe of Fife rendered homage [to King Edward I of England] in 1296. John de Gardropa was appointed proluctor in Aberdeen, 1317, and Adam de Gardropa confirmed the transfer of lands to John Crab there in 1351. Thomas Vardrop de Gothynys acquired a fourth part of Thenstoun, 1450, and in 1465 as Thomas Wardropare de Gothnys he had a charter of confirmation of the lands of Thanystoune in the thanage of Kintore. Alexander Wardroper and James Wardroper witnessed a charter of lands in Scone, 1491." 2

Further south in England, Joscelin de la Warderob(e) was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Berkshire, 1219, 1220; Thomas de Garderoba was found in Yorkshire in 1286; John atte Warderobe was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327; and Thomas Warderope was registered in 1334. 3

Early History of the Waldrop family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Waldrop research. Another 168 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1270, 1296, 1450, 1525, 1527, 1531, 1547, 1606, 1608, 1671, 1738, 1758, 1782, 1797, 1801, 1803, 1804, 1808, 1814, 1826, 1830, 1834, 1843 and 1869 are included under the topic Early Waldrop History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waldrop Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wardrop, Wardrope, Wardrobe, Waldrop, Waldroppe, Waldrope, Waldropp, Waldrep and many more.

Early Notables of the Waldrop family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was John Wardrop of Kilpatrick, scion of the family, and James Wardrop (1782-1869), a prominent Scottish surgeon who was known for his "Essays on the Morbid Anatomy of the Human Eye," as well as for his extraordinary surgical skills. He was " the youngest child of James Wardrop (1738-1830) by his wife Marjory, daughter of Andrew Marjoribanks of Marjoribanks, was born on 14 Aug. 1782 at Torbane Hill, a small property which had belonged to his forefathers for many generations. It adjoined the parish celebrated as the birthplace of the Hunters and...
Another 332 words (24 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Waldrop Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waldrop Ranking

In the United States, the name Waldrop is the 2,754^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 4

Waldrop migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Waldrop Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Henrich Waldrop, who served as a mercenary soldier with the British during the American Revolution, and settled in North America in 1784

Waldrop Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Henry Waldrop, who settled in Indiana around 1891

Waldrop Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

J. P. Waldrop, aged 33, who landed in America, in 1904
C. P. Waldrop, who settled in America, in 1907
Mrs. John P. Waldrop, aged 28, who landed in America, in 1909
John P. Waldrop, aged 39, who immigrated to the United States, in 1910
Mary E. Waldrop, aged 1, who settled in America, in 1910
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Waldrop migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Waldrop Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William Waldrop was recorded in the 1871 census in Ontario
William Waldrop, who was recorded in the 1871 census of Ontario

Contemporary Notables of the name Waldrop (post 1700) +

Bernard Keith Waldrop (1932-2023), known professionally as Keith Waldrop, an American poet, translator, publisher, and academic who won the National Book Award for Poetry for his 2009 collection Transcendental Studies: A Trilogy
Tony Waldrop (1951-2022), American academic administrator, researcher, and gold medalist athlete, 3rd President of the University of South Alabama
Robert F. Waldrop (b. 1971), American former professional NFL football defensive tackle
Howard Waldrop (b. 1946), American science fiction author
Rosmarie Waldrop (b. 1935), German-born, American poet, translator and publisher
Frank Waldrop, American author, former editor of the Washington Times-Herald
Nancy A. Waldrop, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Virginia, 1980 5
Mitchell Waldrop, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Texas 16th District, 1930 5
Joseph R. Waldrop (1825-1872), American politician, Member of Alabama State House of Representatives, 1869 5
Ike Waldrop, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alaska, 1972 5
... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Waldrop Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Superna sequor
Motto Translation: I follow heavenly things.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 28) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html