English is a Germanic language with some Latin mods. Similar roots for
the most common usage words is normal.
Right. I've been thinking about that also. I've been reading lately
about how Old English came out of the West Germanic languages and was
closely related to Old Saxon (which later became Middle Low German).
According to one source, the Laker name that came out of England was
based on the Old English term lacu, which essentially meant "stream."
Now, it might be coincidence, but the Laker (Lake) family of Angelbeck
(south of Loeningen) may have lived near a stream as well (there is a
small unnamed stream in the general location where I believe they
lived). And if Middle Low German shared similarities with Old
English... well, like you said, in the end we have guess. I found one
of Udolph's books on Amazon for $4 - Professor Udolph's Buch der
Namen. Figured I'd see what it's all about. Even if he's just guessing
also, I can't help but being fascinated by the study.
Take care,
Andrew