Surname Sutherland - Meaning and Origin

Embracing Sutherland: A Journey of Personal Identity and Heritage Through DNA Testing

Unraveling my personal identity and heritage through the Sutherland lineage using the iGENEA DNA test has deepened my self-understanding and fostered a stronger sense of connection to my family's roots.

U. Sutherland

Sutherland: What does the surname Sutherland mean?

The surname Sutherland is of Scottish origin and is derived from a geographical location. It means "southern land" in Old Norse, denoting people originating from the southern area of the region known as Caithness in Scotland. The name first appeared in the 12th century when a Flemish nobleman named Freskin was granted lands in this part of Scotland and his descendants adopted the name. Over time, the Sutherlands became a powerful and influential clan in the Scottish Highlands. The County of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland was named after this family. Therefore, Sutherland as a last name can indicate ancestral lineage to this clan and region of Scotland.

Sutherland: Where does the name Sutherland come from?

The last name Sutherland is most commonly found in Scotland and other areas which were under Scottish control historically. It is regarded as a Scottish clan name and is associated with an ancient Scottish noble family. However, it is also found in England, Ireland, and other countries across the world with links to Scotland.

Today, the last name Sutherland is very common in Scotland, with over 16,000 people bearing the name living there. It is also the 223rd most popular surname in England and Wales, with around 7,000 people sharing the last name. For those living in Australia and New Zealand, Sutherland is the 43rd and 40th most popular last name, respectively.

Outside of the United Kingdom, Sutherland can be found in Canada, the United States, and South Africa. In Canada, it is the 112th most popular last name, with over 2010 people bearing the name. In the USA, Sutherland is the 560th most popular surname and is found in all 50 states, with California having the most Sutherlands with over 1000 bearing the name. In South Africa it is one of the more uncommon names, but still appears in the top 1000.

No matter where you go in the world, it’s likely that you will find someone with the last name Sutherland, making it a truly global surname.

Variations of the surname Sutherland

The surname Sutherland is derived from the Old Norse name “Suðrland”, meaning “southern land”. It is thought to have originated in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, an area commonly referred to as “the land of the Vikings”.

Variations of the surname Sutherland have emerged over centuries and spans many countries including Scotland, England, France, Germany, and the United States. Some of the more common variations are:

Sutherlan, Sutherlen, Sutherlin, Sutherlyn, Sutheron, Sutheryn, Sutherand, Suthern, Suthron, Sutherlande, Suthyrland, Sutherlande, Sutherlonde, Sutherlind, Suthurland, Sotherland, Sotherlin, Suterland, and Southernland.

Compound surnames derived from this name includes Sutherlinder, Sutherlinde, Sutherlenfield, and Sutherlenford.

The pronunciation of this name is also subject to regional variation. In Scotland "Suth-er-land" is more commonly used, whereas English speakers tend to pronounce the name as "Sud-er-land".

Overall, the name Sutherland is associated with an area of lands in Scotland, Danish-Viking heritage, and centuries of tradition and heritage.

Famous people with the name Sutherland

• Donald Sutherland: an acclaimed Canadian actor who has appeared in more than 200 films throughout his career.
• Kiefer Sutherland: Donald’s son and another celebrated Canadian actor who has appeared in numerous films and television series, most notably 24.
• Joan Sutherland: a renowned Australian operatic soprano.
• Brendan Sutherland: a Canadian actor and filmmaker.
• William Sutherland: a Scottish physician who contributed to the development of modern medicine.
• Angus Sutherland: a British actor and model, best known for his roles in movies such as Inception and Underworld: Awakening.
• Jimmy Sutherland: an English professional footballer who played for Queens Park Academy.
• Rob Sutherland: an Australian actor, known for his roles in television series such as Satisfaction and Wonderland.
• Jonathan Sutherland: an English professional footballer who has played for the likes of Reading and Lincoln City.
• Alexander Sutherland: a Scottish painter and artist best known for his landscapes.

Other surnames

Sutherlin