SUNDERLAND

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Sunderland

Origin and Meaning

Sunderland is an English locational surname derived from the name of the city of Sunderland in the northeast of England. The name "Sunderland" comes from Old English, meaning "separated land," referring to its location at the mouth of the River Wear where it meets the North Sea.

History and Distribution

The surname Sunderland is most commonly found in the regions surrounding the city of Sunderland in Tyne and Wear, County Durham, and Northumberland. It has historical roots in these areas, with families adopting the name to denote their connection to the city and its surroundings.

Notable Individuals

  • Thomas Sunderland (1819–1887): An English industrialist and philanthropist known for his contributions to the development of Sunderland and its shipbuilding industry.

  • Alice Sunderland (1902–1975): A British writer and poet best known for her works reflecting life in the industrial North East, including themes of social change and hardship.

Variants

Variants of the surname Sunderland include Sanderland, Saunderland, and Sownderland. These variations may have arisen due to regional accents, dialects, or clerical errors in historical records.

Coat of Arms

The Sunderland family crest typically features symbols such as a shield with a design representing aspects of the family's heritage or achievements. However, specific coat of arms designs may vary among different branches of the Sunderland family.

References:

  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.

  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 3,798 people named Sunderland in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,452nd most common surname in Britain. Around 58 in a million people in Britain are named Sunderland.

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Andrew
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert

Female

  • Christine
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Laura
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Rachel
  • Sarah
  • Susan
  • Yvonne

Similar and related surnames

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

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