LOFTS
Lofts is an English surname of toponymic origin that owes its roots to the Old English word loft, meaning an upper room or attic. The name appears in its simplest form as an attribution to a person who lived in or near a loft, or as an occupational reference to an individual who worked in such a loft.
In some instances the surname has been suggested to function also as a nickname. A person described as tall, proud or eminent could naturally be described as lofty, and consequently the name was applied in this way. The character or status of the individual, rather than a physical dwelling, would therefore be reflected in the surname.
Recorded spellings of the name include Loft, Lofts, Loftes, Loftus, Lofthouse and Loftis. The variation Lofthouse is anglicised from the pre‑7th‑century term lopt, used by the Vikings who settled in the British Isles. This term, when combined with the Old English hus (house), produced the description of a dwelling with an upper storey. Houses with a loft were uncommon in the Middle Ages, which suggests that a bearer of the surname may have enjoyed a comparatively higher social status.
The earliest surviving record that can be identified is that of Matthew at le Loft in the 1279 Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire, during the reign of King Edward I, the so‑called “Hammer of the Scots.” The same period also provides the name of Hugh ate Lofte in the Assize Court rolls of Kent, dated 1317.
Later documentation shows the name in ecclesiastical registers. In 1626 the christening of Elizabeth Loft, daughter of Matthew and Debora Loft, was recorded at St. Dunstan’s in the East, Stepney. In 1713 John Lofts married Tabitha Thompson on 19 May at St. Martin’s in the Fields, Westminster. Such entries demonstrate that the name was present in various parts of England, from the south of Kent to the heart of London.
The surname persists to the present day, albeit less frequently than more common English surnames. Its concentration remains strongest in English counties with a medieval heritage, reflecting the historical pattern of habitation in loft‑bearing houses.
Typical given names associated with the Lofts surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- Christopher
- Daniel
- David
- John
- Malcolm
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
Female
- Allyson
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Gillian
- Jean
- Joan
- Meriel
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Rachel
- Samantha
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Lofts in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Lofts are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Ginger cookie.
There are approximately 903 people named Lofts in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,995th most common surname in Britain. Around 14 in a million people in Britain are named Lofts.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Lofts
- Norah Lofts - Writer (1904 to 1983)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.