Show ContentsLotlow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Lotlow is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived on a hill beside a babbling river which was later referred to as Ludlow Lotlow is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. Habitation names form the other broad category of surnames that were derived from place-names. They were derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Other local names are derived from the names of houses, manors, estates, regions, and entire counties.

Early Origins of the Lotlow family

The surname Lotlow was first found in Shropshire at Ludlow, a market town close to the Welsh border and in the Welsh Marches. The first listing of the place name dates back to 1138 where it was listed as Ludelaue and literally meant "hill or tumulus by a rapid," derived from the Old English words hlude + hlaw. 1 Ludlow was called by the Britons Dinam, or "the palace of princes," and by the Saxons Leadlowe, and Ludlowe. One reference claims Robert de Montgomery, kinsman of the Conqueror, fortified the town with walls, and erected most of its stately castle in which he lived until his death in 1094. Yet another reference claims the castle was built by Walter de Lacy in the late 11th century as possession of Ludlow Castle descended through the Lacy family until 1115. Mother Ludlam's Cave or Mother Ludlum's Hole is a small cave in the sandstone cliff of the Wey Valley at Moor Park, near Farnham, Surrey. The earliest record of the place occurs when a monk named Symon found a spring rising in the cave in the 13th century. Mother Ludlam was claimed to be a white witch who lived in the cave. Her cauldron has been kept in Frensham Church nearby for centuries.

Early History of the Lotlow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lotlow research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1551, 1588, 1590, 1617, 1634, 1664, 1680, 1692 and 1728 are included under the topic Early Lotlow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lotlow Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Lotlow are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Lotlow include: Ludlow, Ludley, Ludloe and others.

Early Notables of the Lotlow family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Roger Ludlow (1590-1664), an English lawyer, magistrate, military officer, and colonist who helped found the Colony of Connecticut, he directed Boston's first fortification, Castle William in 1634; Edmund Ludlow (Ludlowe) (c. 1617-1692), an English parliamentarian, best known for his involvement...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lotlow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Lotlow family to Ireland

Some of the Lotlow family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Lotlow family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Lotlow or a variant listed above: Roger and Sara Ludlow settled in Nantasket in 1630 with their six children; Edward Ludlow arrived in New York with his wife and five children in 1823..



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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