Surname Jedwill - Meaning and Origin
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Jedwill: What does the surname Jedwill mean?
The surname Jedwill originates from a combination of the Old English words ‘gesetild’, meaning ‘gift’, and ‘weald’, meaning ‘ruler’ or ‘power’.
As such it is generally thought to have been a family name granted to a powerful leader who was admired for their generosity, and the combination of the two words also suggests the presence of a strong dynasty of ruling individuals who would have rightfully held both power and wealth.
The Jedwill surname would also have been attributed to those with a ‘landowner’ or ‘lord’ background, in that their concentration of wealth, RNA et al power could empower family members to take their places amongst the ruling classes in many parts of England during the medieval period.
In later centuries the surname Jedwill came to be associated with Yorkshire, and specifically with Scarborough, where baptism records of a family with this name was noted in 1684. It is believed that the Jedwills were an ancient Eskdale family, with strong links to both the area’s farming communities and military service.
In recent years, the Jedwill surname can be associated with a specific region and set of bloodlines, yet it still retains its original meaning of an individual or family of power and wealth.
Order DNA origin analysisJedwill: Where does the name Jedwill come from?
The last name Jedwill is primarily found in North America. It is a variant of the German surname Jedwiller, which is believed to have evolved from the first element "Jed" of the Middle English personal name "Jedidiah" and the second element "-willer", meaning stream, supply, or ruler. It is probable, however, that Jedwill was brought to North America by Anglo-Saxon emigrants dating to the 17th century.
The name Jedwill appears mainly in the United States, particularly in the states of Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. It is also found in small numbers in Canada. The frequency of the name is lower in California, New York, and Florida.
In the United States as of 2020, it was the 16,942th most common surname, held by approximately 768 people. It is a relatively uncommon name, rarely found among the general population. It is most commonly associated with people of German descent, though it could also be linked to people of other European ethnicities.
The modern Jedwill surname can be found in families across the United States and Canada, spread throughout various states and provinces. Those with the surname will find that the original Jedwiller spelling remains popular in Europe, particularly in Germany, where it is a more common surname today than in North America.
Variations of the surname Jedwill
Jedwill is an uncommon surname with multiple variants, spellings, and related surnames. First and foremost, there is Jedwil, which is a common spelling variation of the name. Jedwell and Jedwol, two more variations, are also seen. Within the United States alone, Jedwil is the most popular of the spellings.
Jedwill is thought to be of German origin, though it is not a common name there. Gedwill and Gedwell are other German spellings of the same name, which are usually used in the Netherlands.
While Jedwill is not a common surname and may be linked to many different origins, it also has some relationship to other variations such as Jedwool, Jeddel, and Jeddon. These surnames often seen in the British Isles and have similar characteristics, such as spelling and pronunciation, as Jedwill.
The Jedwill surname is also related to Jodwill, Juddell, and Jodell, among other variations. This surname is associated with the Freiein family in Germany and may have originated from an old German name.
Overall, Jedwill has many variations and related surnames that originate from different countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Many of the surnames have similar spelling and pronunciation, so it can be difficult to distinguish which country and spelling a surname originates from. Regardless, Jedwill is an uncommon surname, which helps it remain unique and distinct.
Famous people with the name Jedwill
- Jed Willard, Professional bodybuilder and actor
- Chris Jedwill, Musician
- Bruce Jedwill, Professional chef
- James Jedwill, Professional athlete
- Angela Jedwill, Actress
- Mark Jedwill, Musician and songwriter
- Anthony Jedwill, Racing car driver
- Robert Jedwill, Professional golfer
- Hal Jedwill, Professional boxer
- Jake Jedwill, Professional gamer