Surname Botwright - Meaning and Origin
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Botwright: What does the surname Botwright mean?
The surname Botwright is of English origin and dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name Botwright is derived from the Olde English pre 7th century word “bote-wryht”, combining the two elements “bote” for boat and “wryht”, a craft person. The name was often given to a boatwright, or someone who made small boats and such.
In early records, the name was sometimes spelt as Boatwright, Botright, or Bottwright. It is believed that the name Botwright first appeared in English history as far back as the 11th century. During that time, many families living in the parish of Botwright made their living in boat building.
Since the ancient times, families with the surname of Botwright have come a long way. Today, members of the Botwright family inhabit many places in the English-speaking world. The Botwright name is still frequently seen in the British Isles, Australia, and the United States.
The Botwright surname, in whatever spelling it is seen, still carries a strong connotation of craftsmanship, reliability, and tenacity – traits that have been associated with members of the family throughout the generations. So it’s no surprise that the Botwright surname continues to be a well-known name today.
Order DNA origin analysisBotwright: Where does the name Botwright come from?
The surname Botwright is fairly uncommon today. In the 1881 UK census, it was present in only nine counties in England, and according to the Office of National Statistics, it had declined to just seven counties in 2011. Of these seven counties, the most common areas where the surname has been found is in the West Midlands of England, specifically in Warwickshire and Staffordshire, but also Shropshire and Worcestershire.
Further research has revealed that in the US, Botwright is primarily found on the East Coast, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and Alabama. In the latter state, Botwright is especially prevalent, with a concentration in Madison County.
Beyond these two regions, it appears that the surname Botwright is increasingly sparse. Currently, it is rarely found in South America, Africa and Australasia. It may also have died out in countries in eastern Europe, where records of its past prevalence are scarce.
Nonetheless, one can still uncover evidence of the name’s past prevalence in some areas. For example, in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland, there is a town called Botriphnie, which was derived from the surname Botwright by removing the "w" from the spelling.
Variations of the surname Botwright
Botwright is a relatively uncommon English surname. It is a patronymic surname, derived from the given name Botte. The spelling of Botwright is believed to have originated in the mid-14th century, when such spellings were generally used in records for the same families. The variants and alternate spellings of this surname include Botewright, Bottlewright, Boteler, Botler, Boteler, Boutlewright, Boteleur, Botlier, and Botyler.
Most likely, the most widely-known variant of Botwright is Boteler, which is also a familiar Norman surname. Boteler first became prominent in the region of Cheshire, England, when the Boteler family arrived during the Norman Conquest of 1066. Another variant of this surname is Boteliers. It is derived from the Old French word "boterel" which means "butler". Thus, Botelier may have originally been an occupational surname for a butler or household servant to a nobleman or royalty.
The surname Botwright may also have had regional variations. In some cases, it may anglicized to Botright. In parts of Scotland, the surname may be spelled as Botaler or Bottalebair. In Ireland, it is sometimes anglicized as Botlere or Butler.
Overall, the surname Botwright can be seen today in various parts of the world, even if it is not as widespread as other English surnames. It is associated with a variety of spellings, surnames and variants that are likely to have their own distinct origins.
Famous people with the name Botwright
- Joseph Botwright: British sailor and author who wrote about his experiences serving in the Royal Navy
- Keith Botwright: English professional football player who featured for clubs such as Aston Villa, York City, and Colchester United
- Barbara Botwright: British stage and film actress of the early-1950s
- Earle Botwright: American model railroad enthusiast and builder featured in Model Railroader magazine
- David Botwright: British ceramicist and potter and founding member of the Lakeland Potters Association
- Michael Botwright: English landscape photographer and artist who's work is exhibited around the world
- Isaac Botwright: American artist known for creating loyalty-themed artwork featuring military service personnel
- Christopher Botwright: British writer and editor of short fiction, poetry, and non-fiction
- William Botwright: British independent filmmaker and screenwriter, known for writing horror films such as “The Evil Dead”
- Collis Botwright: New Zealand politician, former cabinet minister, and member of parliament from 1975 to 1984