Surname Weddell - Meaning and Origin
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Weddell: What does the surname Weddell mean?
The surname Weddell is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to be of locational origin, deriving from the name of a place the original bearer lived or held land. It is thought to derive from “wella,” an Old English word meaning "well" or "spring". Therefore, the name may have signified 'one who dwells by the spring or stream'. Additionally, there are places such as Weddell in North Riding of Yorkshire, likely having similar name origins. Over the years, the spelling of the name has taken on various forms including Weddell, Weddle, Weddall, and Widdall. One famous bearer is James Weddell, a British sailor and seal hunter, who the Weddell Sea in the Southern Ocean was named after. As with many surnames, the meaning can depend on regional origins and family histories.
Order DNA origin analysisWeddell: Where does the name Weddell come from?
The last name Weddell is most commonly found in Europe, particularly in the UK and Ireland.
In the UK today, the Weddell surname is concentrated in the counties of Norfolk and Kent in England, and in small numbers in Angus and Aberdeen in Scotland. According to Ancestry.co.uk, the Weddell surname today is most abundant in and around the city of Norwich, Norfolk, which is the largest city in the county.
In Ireland, Weddell is most popular in the counties of Cavan and Fermanagh, but it also has strongholds in the surrounding counties of Leitrim, Monaghan, Donegal and Tyrone.
The Weddell surname is also found in other parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic. Weddell is a rare name in most other countries, although it does appear in some records in Greece, Belarus and Ukraine.
Outside of Europe, there have been a few instances of the Weddell surname in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, but these instances are generally linked to larger European immigrant populations.
Variations of the surname Weddell
The Weddell surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The surname Weddell is derived from the Middle English word “wedel”, meaning a rod, sceptre or staff of authority, making Weddell an occupational name for a government official or a steward. The surname Wedsel is the Old English version of Weddell.
One of the most common variants is Weddle, which is derived from the Old English “weddel”. While Weddell is the most common spelling, other variants include Weddle, Wedel, W French, Weddly, Weddel, Wadell, Wadsley, Whittle, Wedwell, and Weddellson.
Wiedell is a German variation of the Weddell surname which is derived from the German word “wied”, meaning wide or far. Other German versions of the surname include Wiedel, Wiedelmann, Wiedelt, Wiedelman and Wieldel.
The surname Wadley is a variant of Weddell, derived from the Middle English “wade(s)”, meaning village or low-lying land, and the addition of “leah/ley/ly”, meaning a field or clearing.
The surname Whittle is a variant of Weddell derived from the Old English “hwitel”, meaning a person of white or fair complexion. Other variants of the surname include Wittel and Whitel.
The surnames Wadell, Wedwell, and Weddellson are derived from the Middle English “wedel” which is the root of the Weddell surname.
In conclusion, the Weddell surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Wedle, Wedsel,Wiedel, Wadley, Whittle, Wadell, Wedwell, and Weddellson.
Famous people with the name Weddell
- James Weddell (1787-1834): English Sealer who sailed to the Antarctic and was the first to cross the Antarctic Circle.
- Leutine “Leu” Weddell (1903–1941): American aviator who served as a navigator on the ill-fated flight of the USS Titans. 3.Janet Aylmer Weddell (1909–1990): British artist, particularly in portraiture and pastel.
- Belinda Weddell (1975-): Canadian TV host, actress, and former beauty pageant winner.
- Holman Fredric Weddell (1868-1938): American diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to Argentina and Brazil. 6.Alaric Weddell (673-744): King of Visigothic Spain and founder of the Royal House of Visigothic Spain.
- David Weddell (born 1967): American professional football wide receiver, mostly with the Detroit Lions.
- Thomas Lenore Weddell (1850-1935): Irish ecclesiastical historian who served as the Catholic Bishop of Meath.
- John Weddell (born 1978): Australian musician, member of rock bands Jebediah and Milky Section. 10.Alice B. Weddell (1862-1938): American philanthropist and agriculture reformer. 11.Joyce Weddell (1917-2009): British film and television actress, best known for her role in Upstairs, Downstairs (1971-75).
- Christopher Weddell (1939-): British Roman Catholic priest and professor of theology.
- Martin Weddell (born 1947): English Anglican bishop, currently serving as the Bishop of Carlisle.
- George Weddell (1789-1874): British Royal Navy admiral and explorer who led several scientific expeditions to the Arctic Circle.
- Marie therese de Rioba Weddell (born 1949): Spanish diplomat, currently serving as the Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations in Geneva.