Snodgrass

Snodgrass is a Scottish and Northern English surname of Old Norse origin. It is believed to have originated from the Old Norse personal name Snóðr combined with the word grass, meaning greener pastures or lush grassland.

Origins

The surname Snodgrass is believed to have been first recorded in Scotland dating back to the 14th century. The name was likely brought to Scotland by Norse settlers during the Viking Age, and it eventually spread to Northern England.

Distribution

The distribution of the Snodgrass surname is largely concentrated in Scotland and Northern England, particularly in regions such as Dumfries and Galloway, Yorkshire, and Northern Ireland.

Notable People

Notable individuals bearing the surname Snodgrass include:

  • Joel Snodgrass (1784–1856) – Scottish poet and writer known for his works depicting rural life in Scotland.
  • Marjorie Snodgrass (1911–1998) – British botanist and environmentalist known for her research on native plant species.
  • Tommy Snodgrass (born 1985) – English footballer who has played for various clubs in the Football League.

Cultural References

The surname Snodgrass has also been used in various literary works and pop culture references. Most notably, the character "Augustus Snodgrass" appears in Charles Dickens' novel The Pickwick Papers.

In contemporary times, the Snodgrass surname continues to be passed down through generations, preserving its ancient Norse roots and contributing to the cultural tapestry of Britain.

There are approximately 430 people named Snodgrass in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around seven in a million people in Britain are named Snodgrass.

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Ireland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • Craig
  • David
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Peter
  • Robert
  • Stephen
  • William

Female

  • Anne
  • Carol
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Gillian
  • Hayley
  • Jane
  • Jennifer
  • Kathleen
  • Kathryn
  • Margaret
  • Marlene
  • Mary
  • Ruth
  • Wendy

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.