Last Name Lambert

The surname Lambert originates from the Old German name "Landberht," which means "bright land" or "famous bright one." This name was brought to England by the Normans after their conquest in 1066. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved into its current form, Lambert.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lambert

The meaning and origin of the last name Lambert

The surname Lambert is of Germanic origin, derived from the given name Lammbert, which is composed of two Old High German elements: "lamm" meaning 'lamb' and "berht" meaning 'bright' or 'famous'. This name was brought to England by the Normans in 1066. Over time, various spelling variations have emerged, such as Lambertus, Lamberts, de Lamberteis, and others, due to translation errors, regional dialects, and changes in transcription over centuries. The name gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages, with notable bearers including Saint Lammbert of Maastricht, a 7th-century Flemish missionary and bishop, and Lambertus van den Eynde, a Flemish painter from the school of Jan van Eyck.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lambert

The surname Lambert has a significant distribution across several countries, with notable concentrations in France and Belgium, due to their French-speaking regions. It is also prevalent in English-speaking countries such as England, Wales, and Scotland, primarily due to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 when many Normans, who were originally from France, settled there. The name can also be found in Germany, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe, reflecting historical migrations and colonization patterns. In North America, the Lambert surname is particularly common in Canada, with strong representation in Quebec due to French influence, as well as in the United States. In Australia and New Zealand, it has been carried by immigrants from both France and England.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lambert

The surname Lambert has several variations and spellings due to historical transcriptions and regional differences. Some common variations include Lambart, Lamberth, Lammart, and de Lambert. In French-speaking regions, the name may appear as De La Berthe or Des La Berthe. Other less common variations might be found in different countries, such as L'Ambert, Lambertus, and Ambrose Lambert (a combination of Lambert and Ambrose). These variations reflect the family's historical migration patterns across Europe and subsequent assimilation into various cultures.

Famous people with the last name Lambert

Notable individuals with the surname Lambert include:

1. Kenny Lambert (born 1943), an American former professional baseball player who played for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox. He was part of the 1968 World Series championship team with the Tigers.

2. Shirley Ann Jones (born Shirley Lambert, 1932–2016), an Academy Award-winning American actress best known for her role as Laura Petrie on the sitcom "The Dick Van Dyke Show."

3. Dana Wynter (1929–1997, born Gertrud Wilhelmina Müller-Lambert), a German-born British actress who appeared in films such as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and "The Time Machine."

4. Jill Lambert (born 1950), an Australian politician who served as a senator from Victoria for the Liberal Party from 1987 to 2002.

5. Michel Lambert (1823–1897), a French mathematician known for his work on number theory and analysis, particularly in connection with the Bernoulli numbers and the Riemann zeta function.

6. Nicky Lambert (born 1970), an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for clubs including West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa. He is currently the goalkeeping coach at Watford F.C.

7. Solomon E. Layne (also known as Solomon E. Lambert; 1835–1906), an African American Union Army officer during the American Civil War who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Nashville in 1864.

Genealogical research on the last name Lambert

The surname Lambert originated from Old German and Old French roots, specifically "land-berht," which translates to "bright or famous land." Its early use can be traced back to medieval Europe, particularly among the Franks and Normans in the 8th century.

In England, the name became prominent after the Norman Conquest of 1066 when William the Conqueror invited Normans to settle in England and granted them lands. The Lambert family played significant roles throughout English history, with notable figures such as Walter de Lamberts, a medieval landowner, and Richard Lambert, who served as the Mayor of London during the 17th century.

The Lambert lineage expanded across Europe, with descendants settling in various regions, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Scandinavia. In North America, some of the earliest known Lamberts arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries in Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, contributing to the development of early American society.

Today, the Lambert family name remains widespread globally, with varying spellings such as DeLambert, DeLaBert, Delamber, De La Bert, Lamberte, and others that reflect cultural adaptations over time.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Lambert"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 21 August 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends