Surname Setterthwaite - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Setterthwaite: What does the surname Setterthwaite mean?
The surname Setterthwaite comes from English origin and is considered a locational surname. Locational surnames were derived from the place where a person lived or where they held land. The name Setterthwaite is likely derived from a place in England, possibly an old village or settlement and is believed to originate from the North West of England, possibly Cumbria or Lancashire.
Analyzing the components of the name, "Setter" could be derivative of an old English word for 'hill' or 'ridge'. Meanwhile, "thwaite" is a Norse word found in English place-names, meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing'. So, Setterthwaite could potentially mean 'hill meadow' or 'ridges clearing'.
These kinds of last names often come from the medieval period when it was common practice to identify individuals by their place of residence or birth. So, a person bearing the last name Setterthwaite originally or their ancestors may have been from or associated with a location bearing this name or similar. As with all surnames, the meaning may vary based on different family lines and histories.
Order DNA origin analysisSetterthwaite: Where does the name Setterthwaite come from?
The surname Setterthwaite is of English origin, specifically from the northern region of England. It is a locational surname, derived from a place-name. The place is thought to be somewhere in the county of Lancashire, although no such place is recorded in the modern gazetteers.
Locational surnames became necessary when inhabitants moved from their original homestead, usually in search of work, and opted to adopt the name of their birthplace as a means of identification. The 'Settery' element in the name could be a reference to a pastoral settlement, or a dairy farm, derived from Old English 'setere' meaning dweller. The 'thwaite' part indicates a piece of land cleared of forest but left uncultivated, suitable for pasture or later cultivation.
The name Setterthwaite is quite rare, and its distribution remains primarily in England. It is currently most prevalent in the United Kingdom, with a lesser frequency in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. It is less common in other regions of the world. As with many surnames of British origin, its spread is in large part due to the historical migration of people from the British Isles to other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Setterthwaite
The surname Setterthwaite is believed to be of British origin, particularly from the coastal region of Westmorland in North-West England. It is believed to be a locational surname, derived from the place called "Satterthwaite" in Lancashire, The place-name means 'clearing where wild goats were seen', from the Old Norse 'saetr' a pasture or shieling and 'þveit' a clearing. This surname is relatively rare and its variations are seldom found. However, some alternate spellings and possible variations might be "Saterthwaite", "Satterthwaite", "Settlethwaite" or "Satterwaite". Other related surnames could be those that also draw from locations in the same region or those that contain "thwaite", an Old Norse term which refers to a clearing or a meadow. Also, due to the movement of people over centuries, the surname might have morphed or adapted based on regional dialects and accents, leading to variations. It's important to trace genealogical records for confirmation.
Famous people with the name Setterthwaite
- Adelheid Setterthwaite: actress who appeared in the French Canadian TV series 'Auёt d'un jour'.
- Rebecca Setterthwaite: American landscape artist and author of the book 'The Garden Diaries'.
- William Setterthwaite: former British naval officer who served in the First World War.
- Sidney Setterthwaite: English philosopher and author of 'Theory of Knowledge'.
- Maria Setterthwaite: British gold medal-winning sprint canoeist.
- William Setterthwaite Jr.: British recipient of the George Cross for actions during the Second World War.
- John Setterthwaite: American historian and academic.
- Katherine Setterthwaite: British actress who appeared in the movie 'The Other Woman'.
- Thomas Setterthwaite: British biologist and author of the book 'The Natural History of Animals'.
- Jonathan Setterthwaite: English popular music singer and songwriter.