Lane is a surname with several origins.

Meanings and origins

*From Middle English a topographic name for someone who lived on a lane, used to denote any narrow pathway, including one between houses in a town. A Norman or Breton origin has also been proposed for some people bearing this surname, derived from ''L'Asne'', itself perhaps coming from a nickname such as ''le Asinus'' (the Ass) or from a toponym in Normandy or Brittany. A prominent Lane family documented in

Staffordshire Staffordshire (; postal abbreviation Staffs.) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. It borders Cheshire to the northwest, Derbyshire and Leicestershire to the east, Warwickshire to the southeast, the West Midlands Cou ...

claim to have Norman ancestry, and list the earliest ancestor as "Adam de Lone" living in 1315. Lane families enjoyed prominence in other counties such as Kent, Gloucestershire,

Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire (), abbreviated Bucks, is a ceremonial county in South East England that borders Greater London to the south-east, Berkshire to the south, Oxfordshire to the west, Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-ea ...

, and Northamptonshire where Sir Ralph Lane is theorized to have originated. A knighted Sir Richard Lane is found in Northamptonshire in the early 1600s. Tax lists of

in 1400s list "John atte Lane" and "William atte Lane" with the Saxon term "atte" being the same as the French term "de la", showing topographic reference. Lane families took part in the

Plantations of Ireland Plantations in 16th- and 17th-century Ireland involved the confiscation of Irish-owned land by the English Crown and the colonisation of this land with settlers from Great Britain. The Crown saw the plantations as a means of controlling, angl ...

as it is theorized Sir George Lane was part of the same family as Sir Ralph Lane. In 1663, a Matthys Laenen Van Pelt emigrated from Amsterdam to New Jersey. The family appears to have shortened the name to Lane after arriving. Early Virginia County Tax lists of the late 1700s show Lane families with the spellings of "Lane", "Lain", and "Layne" but with no indication of importance for the different spellings, other than possible separation of unrelated Lane families. By the middle 1800s though, "Lane" was commonly adopted. Lane is also an Anglicized form, of three Irish Gaelic surnames, however, no evidence showing the following words being used as "Lane" can be found. * Ó Laighin ‘descendant of Laighean’, a byname meaning ‘spear’, or ‘javelin'. *Ó Luain ‘descendant of Luan’, a byname meaning ‘warrior’. *Ó Liatháin.

A

* Abbe Lane (born 1932), American actress * Abigail Lane (born 1967), English artist *

Alexander Lane Alexander Mills Lane (1857–1911) was an American physician and politician. He was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, serving as a Republican, for two terms from 1906 until 1910. He also served as the assistant physician of Co ...

(1857–1911), American physician and politician *

Allen Lane Sir Allen Lane (born Allen Lane Williams; 21 September 1902 – 7 July 1970) was a British publisher who together with his brothers Richard and John Lane founded Penguin Books in 1935, bringing high-quality paperback fiction and non-fictio ...

(1902–1970), publisher * Alycia Lane (born 1972), American television journalist * Andrew Lane (disambiguation), several people * Andy Lane (born 1963), author and journalist * Anita Lane (1959–2021), Australian singer and songwriter * Anthony Lane (born 1962), British film reviewer and journalist * Arthur Bliss Lane (1894–1956), U.S. diplomat

B

* Bill Lane (1922–2000), Australian amateur ornithologist *

Bill Lane (publisher) Laurence William Lane Jr. (November 7, 1919 – July 31, 2010) was an American magazine publisher, diplomat, and philanthropist. Early life and education Lane was born November 7, 1919, to Laurence William Lane (1890 – February 20, 1967) and R ...

(1919–2010), American magazine publisher, diplomat, and philanthropist *

Billy Lane William David Lane (born February 6, 1970 in Miami, Florida) is an American builder of custom motorcycles, owner of Choppers Inc. in Melbourne, Florida, known for his 2009 conviction and imprisonment in Florida for a drunk-driving incident in 2006 ...

(born 1970), U.S. motorcycle builder *

Bobby Lane Bobby Allen Lane (born October 30, 1939) is a former American football linebacker who played in eight games over two seasons with the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League (AFL). He was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the elevent ...

(born 1939), American football player * Brendan Lane (disambiguation) *

Brian Lane (RAF officer) Brian John Edward "Sandy" Lane (18 June 1917 – 13 December 1942) was a fighter pilot and flying ace of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was also an author. Early life Born in Pannal, Harrogate, Lane grew up in Pinner ...

(1917–1942), Second World War Royal Air Force fighter pilot and ace *

Burton Lane Burton Lane ( Levy; February 2, 1912 – January 5, 1997) was an American composer and lyricist primarily known for his theatre and film scores. His most popular and successful works include '' Finian's Rainbow'' in 1947 and ''On a Clear Day You ...

(1912–1997), U.S. composer and lyricist

C

* Carla Lane (1937–2016), pseudonym of Romana Barrack, a British television writer * Charles Lane (disambiguation) *

Colin Lane Colin Stuart Lane (born 25 March 1965) is an Australian comedian, actor and TV host, best known for being one-half of comedy duo Lano and Woodley. Lano and Woodley Lane performed with fellow comedian Frank Woodley as part of the duo Lano and Wo ...

(born 1965), Australian comedian

D

* David Lane (disambiguation), several people *

Denny Lane Denny Lane (4 December 1818 – 29 November 1895) was an Irish businessman and nationalist public figure in Cork (city), Cork city, and in his youth a Young Irelander.Cork City Gaol Although a Catholic, he graduated from the mainly Protestant ...

(1818–1895), Irish businessman and nationalist public figure * Devinn Lane (born 1972), pornographic actress * Diane Lane (born 1965), U.S. actress * Dick Lane (1936–2002), scholar, author, collector, and dealer of Japanese art * Dick Lane (American football) (1928–2002), American football player * Dick Lane (baseball) (1927–2018), U.S. baseball player * Dick Lane (TV announcer) (1899–1982), television announcer * Don Lane (1933–2009), talk show host

E

Eastwood Lane Eastwood Lane (May 22, 1879 – January 22, 1951) was an American composer who wrote piano suites and ballet music. His compositions influenced Bix Beiderbecke. Eastwood Lane was born in Brewerton, New York. Compositions for piano * The suit ...

(1879–1951), U.S. composer * Ebenezer D. Lane (1814–1879), American ship captain * Edgar Lane (1923-1964), American professor of political science * Edward William Lane (1801–1876), British scholar *

Elizabeth Lane Dame Elizabeth Kathleen Lane, DBE (née Coulborn; 9 August 1905 – 17 June 1988) was an English barrister and judge. She was the first woman appointed as a judge in the County Court, the first female High Court judge in England, and the firs ...

(1905–1988), British lawyer *

Ernest Preston Lane Ernest Preston Lane (November 28, 1886, Russellville, Tennessee – October 1969) was an American mathematician, specializing in differential geometry. Education and career In 1909, he received his bachelor's degree in from the University of Tenn ...

(1886–1969), American mathematician

F

* Fitz Hugh Lane (1804–1865), U.S. painter * Frank Lane (1896–1981), U.S. baseball executive * Franklin Knight Lane (1864–1921), Canadian-American politician * Fred Lane (American football) (1975–2000), American football player *

Frederic C. Lane Frederic C. Lane (born November 23, 1900, in Lansing, Michigan–died October 14, 1984) was a historian who specialized in Medieval history with a particular emphasis on the region of Venice. Early life, education, and family The son of Alfred ...

(1900–1984), U.S. historian * Frederick Lane (1888–1969), Australian swimmer

G

* Gary Lane (chess player) (born 1964), professional chess player and author * Gary Lane (gridiron football) (1942–2003), American football quarterback and American football official * Gary Lane (politician) (born 1942), Canadian politician and Saskatchewan MLA * Geoffrey Lane, Baron Lane (1918–2005), British Judge *

George Martin Lane George Martin Lane (December 24, 1823 – June 30, 1897) was an American scholar. Life and career Lane was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He graduated in 1846 from Harvard, and from 1847 to 1851 studied at the universities of Berlin, B ...

(1823–1897), U.S. scholar *

Gord Lane Gordon Thomas Lawrence Lane (born March 31, 1953) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Lane played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders. Lane was a member of the Islanders team that wo ...

(born 1953), Canadian ice hockey player

H

* Harlan Lane (1936–2019), American professor of psychology and linguistics, Northeastern University, Boston * Harriet Lane (1830–1903), United States President James Buchanan's niece * Harry Lane (1855–1917), American politician * Hester Lane (died 1849), American abolitionist * Homer Lane (1875–1925), American educator * Hugh Lane (1875–1915), Irish (Irish-British) Art Collector and Philanthropist

I

* Isaac Lane (1834–1937), African American bishop and educator

J

J. Michael Lane John Michael Lane (February 14, 1936October 21, 2020) was an American epidemiologist who was a director of the Epidemic Intelligence Service's Global Smallpox Eradication program from 1973 to 1981, and who played a leading role in the eradicatio ...

(1936–2020), American epidemiologist * Jackie Lane (actress) (1941–2021), British actress * James D. Lane (born 1965), American electric blues guitarist * James Franklin Lane (1874–1944), African American educator and college president * James Henry Lane (Union general) (1814–1866), U.S. abolitionist, Senator, and general *

James Henry Lane (Confederate general) James Henry Lane (July 28, 1833 – September 21, 1907) was a university professor and Confederate general in the American Civil War. As its first Commandant, he is considered to be the father of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets and is t ...

(1833–1907), Confederate general *

Jane Lane (author) Jane Lane (27 May 1905– 6 January 1978) was the pen name of Elaine Kidner Dakers, an English novelist and biographer. Her best-known books are historical novels set in the 17th and 18th century. Biography Jane Lane was born on 27 May 1905 in R ...

(1905–1978), British historical novelist * Jani Lane (1964–2011), U.S. singer (Warrant) * Jason Lane (born 1976), American professional baseball player * Jay Lane (born 1964), American drummer * Jeffrey Lane, film producer and actor * Jim Lane (Irish republican) (born 1938), Irish republican and socialist * Jocelyn Lane (born 1937), model, actress and jewellery designer *

John Lane (publisher) John Lane (14 March 1854 – 2 February 1925) was a British publisher who co-founded The Bodley Head with Charles Elkin Mathews. Career Originally from Devon, where he was born into a farming family, Lane moved to London in his teens. While wor ...

(1854–1925), British publisher *

John Carey Lane John Awena-ika-lani-keahi-o-ka-lua-o-Pele Carey Lane, (July 22, 1872 – February 8, 1958) was Mayor of Honolulu from 1915 to 1917. Early years Born at Makao, Oʻahu, Lane was educated at Hauula School and St. Louis College. He held various ...

(1872–1958), Mayor of Honolulu * Jonathan Homer Lane (1819–1880), American astrophysicist and inventor * Joseph Lane (1801–1881), U.S. general * Joseph Lane (1851–1920), English socialist *

Julia Lane Julia Ingrid Lane is an economist and economic statistician who works as a professor at New York University's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, as well as NYU's Center for Urban Science and Progress, helping CUSP to build CUSP data facili ...

, New Zealand, British, and American economist and economic statistician

K

* Kenneth Jay Lane (1932–2017), American costume jewelry designer * Kris Lane (born 1967), professor of Latin American history

L

* Lafayette Lane (1842–1896), U.S. politician * Lana Lane, American rock singer *Larry Lane, an alias of Finnish soldier Lauri Törni (1919–1965) *

Lauren Lane Lauren Lane (born 1959) is an American film, television, stage actress, and professor. She is best known for her role as C.C. Babcock on ''The Nanny''. Life and career Lane was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and raised in Arlington, Texas. She ...

(born 1961), U.S. actress *

Lenny Lane Lenny or Lennie may refer to: People and fictional characters * Lenny (given name), a list of people and fictional characters * Lennie (surname), a list of people * Lenny (singer) (born 1993), Czech songwriter Arts and entertainment Music * ''L ...

(born 1970), U.S. professional wrestler, real name Leonard Carlson * Leota Lane (1913–1963), U.S. actress, one of the Lane Sisters *

Lisa Lane Marianne Elizabeth Lane Hickey, also known as Lisa Lane (born April 25, 1938, in Philadelphia), is an American former chess player. She was the U.S. Women's Chess Championship, U.S. Women's Chess Champion in 1959, but not a chess master. She appear ...

(born 1938), U.S. chess player *

Lola Lane Lola Lane (born Dorothy Mullican; May 21, 1906 – June 22, 1981) was an American actress and one of the Lane Sisters with her sisters Leota, Rosemary, and Priscilla Lane. She appeared on Broadway and in films from the 1920s to 1940s. Early yea ...

(1906–1981), U.S. actress, one of the Lane Sisters *

Lunsford Lane Lunsford Lane (May 30, 1803 – June 27, 1879) was an entrepreneur tobacconist from North Carolina who bought freedom for himself and his family. He became a vocal Abolitionism in the United States, opponent of slavery and wrote a slave narrative a ...

(1803–1879), ex-slave * Lupino Lane (1892–1959), English actor * Lyle Franklin Lane (1926–2013), U.S. Diplomat

M

Margaret Lane Margaret Winifred Lane (23 June 1907 – 14 February 1994) was a British journalist, biographer and novelist, the author of more than two dozen books. She was the second wife of Francis Hastings, 16th Earl of Huntingdon. Early life Margaret La ...

(1907–1994), British journalist, biographer and novelist * Mark Lane (author) (1927–2016), author of ''Rush to Judgment'' * Martin Lane (born 1961), English footballer * Matteo Lane (born 1982), U.S. comedian * Mills Lane (1937–2022), U.S. judge and boxing referee *

Morgan D. Lane Morgan D. Lane (1844 – July 19, 1892) was a Chief Bugler in the Union Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his role in the American Civil War. Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: Private, Signal Corps, U.S. Army The United S ...

(1844–1892), American Civil War Medal of Honor recipient

N

* Nathan Lane (born 1956), American actor

P

* Patrick Lane (1939–2019), Canadian poet * Philip Lane (disambiguation) * Priscilla Lane (1915–1995), U.S. actress one of the Lane Sisters

R

* Ralph Lane (c. 1530–1603), English explorer *

Red Lane Red Lane, born Hollis Rudolph DeLaughter with surname pronounced ''Dee-LAW-ter'' (February 9, 1939 – July 1, 2015), was an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist who was a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1993) ...

(1939–2015), stage name of Hollis Rudolph DeLaughter, American singer-songwriter * Richard Lane (disambiguation) * Robert Lane (disambiguation) * Ronnie Lane (1946–1997), British singer and songwriter * Rose Wilder Lane (1886–1968), American writer *Rosemary Lane (1914–1974), one of the American Lane Sisters * Roy Lane (c. 1935–2009), British racing driver *

Ryan Lane Ryan Thomas Lane (born November 23, 1987) is an American actor. Beginning his professional career at the age of nineteen, Lane is best known for his portrayal of Cincinnati Reds center-fielder Dummy Hoy, William Ellsworth Hoy in the DOC: The Do ...

(born 1987), American actor and model

S

Sam Lane (rugby player) Samuel Thomas Lane (born 21 February 1991 in Brisbane, Australia) is a rugby union footballer, currently playing with Italian side Rugby Calvisano in the Top12 and European Rugby Continental Shield. His regular playing position is fly-half. ...

(born 1991), rugby union footballer * Samantha Lane (born 1979), Australian AFL writer *

Sara Malakul Lane Sara Malakul Lane ( th, ซาร่า มาลากุล เลน) is a Thai American actress and former supermodel. She has appeared in numerous Thai and Hollywood films. She most notably featured in the '' Kickboxer'' action film franchis ...

(born 1983), Thai actress and model * Sarah Lane (born 1984), American ballet dancer *

Selwyn George (Bill) Lane Selwyn George "Bill" Lane E.D. R.L. (1922–2000) was an Australian amateur ornithologist who worked for the Sydney County Council for most of life until he retired in 1983. Career Bill Lane joined the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union ( ...

(1922–2000), Australian ornithologist * Shawn Lane (1963–2003), U.S. musician (Black Oak Arkansas) *

Simon Lane The Yogscast, officially registered as Yogscast Limited, is a British entertainment company based in Bristol that primarily produces video gaming-related videos on YouTube and Twitch, and also operates the Yogscast multi-channel network for aff ...

(born 1978), British YouTuber and Yogscast co-founder * Stan Lane (born 1953), U.S. professional wrestler *

Stanley Lane-Poole Stanley Edward Lane-Poole (18 December 1854 – 29 December 1931) was a British orientalist and archaeologist. Poole was from a famous orientalist family as his paternal grandmother Sophia Lane Poole, uncle Reginald Stuart Poole and great-uncle E ...

(1854–1931), British orientalist

T

* Tami Lane (born 1974), American makeup artist * Terry Lane (born 1939), Australian radio broadcaster and newspaper columnist * Thomas Lane (disambiguation) * Tim Lane (disambiguation) * Trevor Lane (born 1994), American professional baseball player

W

Walter P. Lane Walter Paye Lane (February 18, 1817 – January 28, 1892) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War who also served in the armies of the Republic of Texas and the United States of America. Early life Lane was born in County Cork, Ir ...

(1817–1892), Confederate general * William Lane (disambiguation)

Y

Fictional characters

*Solomon Lane, in the film '' Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation'' *

Drury Lane (character) Drury Lane is a fictional detective created by Ellery Queen in the 1930s under the byline of Barnaby Ross. He is a retired Shakespearian actor who lives in a lavish castle on the Hudson River. His backstory involves leaving the theatre because he ...

, a detective created by Ellery Queen *Gerry, Karin, Constance & Rachel Lane, in the 2013 film '' World War Z'' * Jane Lane (Daria), in the animated series ''Daria'' * Lois Lane, DC Comics character * Lucy Lane, DC Comics character Lois' sister * Sam Lane (comics), DC Comics character Lois and Lucy's father * Brian Lane (New Tricks), in the drama series ''New Tricks'' * Margo Lane, in ''The Shadow'' radio drama and pulp novels * Lane Alexander, a recurring character from the Nickelodeon TV show '' Victorious''

References

{{surname, Lane Surnames of Irish origin English-language surnames

Meanings and origins

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

P

R

S

T

W

Y

Fictional characters

See also

References