Surname Wauchope - Meaning and Origin

Wauchope: What does the surname Wauchope mean?

The last name Wauchope is of Anglo-Saxon and Scottish origin, stemming from the old region of Lothian, Scotland. The name is derived from the old Gaelic word "wauch," meaning "a bend or crook," possibly referring to a person's physical appearance or even a geographical feature. In some cases, Wauchope might be derived from the placename Wauchope, near Kelso in Tweeddale, Scotland. This place was anciently known as "Wachope".

The Wauchope family held estates in Linton, Roxburgshire and in Midlothian. As the family grew in stature, its members held numerous titles and offices in the local and central government. During the 12th century, Magnus de Wauchop was theSheriff of Edinburgh.

The heraldic crest for the Wauchope family is a silver shield with a black chevron across the top. On the shield are a stag's head, a lion's head, and an eagle's head. This crest symbolizes honor, courage, and loyalty, characteristics often associated with this family.

Today, the Wauchope family is still found across Scotland and the United Kingdom, although the number of bearers has decreased with time. Members of the family are involved in a variety of occupations and, through their success, have maintained their place in British society.

Wauchope: Where does the name Wauchope come from?

The last name Wauchope is derived from a place-name in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, located near the River Ugie.The ancient family of Wauchope owned a large estate there and records of the family have been traced as far back as the 12th century.

Wauchope is still a common surname today, particularly in Scotland and Ireland. According to census data from 2016, the surname is most prominently found in England, with the highest concentrations being in South East and North West England. It is also very common in Scotland, particularly in the Aberdeenshire region where the family originates, as well as East Lothian.

Wauchope is also very common in Ireland, specifically in County Fermanagh and County Mayo. Other common locations in Ireland include Cork, Galway, and Dublin. In Wales, the surname is concentrated in South Wales, particularly in Glamorgan and by the coast.

While the Wauchope surname is widely distributed in England, Scotland, and Ireland, emigration from the British Isles over the centuries has extended the reach of the name to many other countries. Wauchope families can also be found in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States.

Variations of the surname Wauchope

The surname Wauchope is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. The original spelling of the name is "Walchap" or "Walkcappe". Variants of the name include Wauchop, Wauchop, Waulchop, Walkhop, and Wochop. Surnames of similar origin include Wauch, Wauchop, Wachop, Wochop, and Walkcapp.

The surname Wauchope is derived from the Old English “walcapp” which translates to mean "a keeper of a wall". It is believed to refer to one who lived near a wall or fence, or possibly someone who had power over a wall, such as a ward, gatekeeper or guard. During the Middle Ages, the surname was often used to denote a protective role.

As with many surnames, the spelling of this particular surname has changed over time. During the 1500s, the spelling changed to Wauchop. Over the years, the variant spellings of the surname have been used, such as Wauchope, Wochop, Waulchop, Walkhop, and Wauchop.

The Wauchope line is known to have had a long history in Scotland, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed that the first recorded bearers of the surname lived in the borders of Scotland, in the Barony of Wauchope.

Today, Wauchope is a popular surname across the world. It is common in places such as the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Wauchope

• Rory Wauchope: Armed forces veteran and veteran’s advocate
• Mary Wauchope: Scottish artist
• Rebecca Wauchope: Norse mythology expert
• Alison Wauchope: Actress and producer
• John Wauchope: Revolutionary War hero
• David Wauchope: Scottish politician
• George Wauchope: Mayor of Glasgow
• Ronald Wauchope: Actor
• Michael Wauchope: Championship-winning polo player
• Joe Wauchope: Soccer player
• Janner Wauchope: British painter
• Richard Wauchope: Architect
• Alexander Wauchope: Scotland national rugby player
• Arthur Wauchope: British army general
• William Wauchope: Cricket player
• Robert Wauchope: Politician and lawyer

Other surnames

Wauchob