Waddel Last Name: Meaning and Heraldic Roots

The same name, two spellings: Waddel and Waddell. Name scholars give the meaning as “From Wedale”.

• Waddel drops the “l” of Waddell, a shortening that clerks often made.
• Waddel ranked 59,603 in the 2010 US Census, with 339 people answering to the name. That puts it among the top 100,000 US surnames.
• Related forms: Weddell.
• Before spelling was standardised, one family could appear under several forms.

Arms associated with the name

Heraldry is personal: arms associated with the Waddell surname were borne by specific families, and sharing the name does not mean sharing the blazon. Research your Waddel family history with a full surname report and painted coat of arms.