Surname Weight - Meaning and Origin

Weight: What does the surname Weight mean?

The surname Weight is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered a metonymic occupational name. This surname is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century term "wita," meaning "wise man," or "counselor." It was likely originally used for someone who held this role, such as a wise elder or an advisor within a community or court. The transformation into "Weight" could be due to phonetic shifts over time and region. Like many surnames that originated from job titles, places, or characteristics, this name gives a hint about either the original bearer's occupation or their ancestors'. In conclusion, the last name Weight suggests that the family line may have been in a position of respected authority and wisdom, acting as counselors or advisors in their communities. Please note that surname origins can vary widely, and this explanation might not apply to all individuals with the Weight surname.

Weight: Where does the name Weight come from?

The last name Weight is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, specifically in the English counties of South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. It is a fairly rare name, with the estimated population of those bearing the name Weight being just 1,400 individuals.

The Weight surname likely originated in the mid-1200s in England, and is thought to have been derived from the Old English personal name Wæt, which was a pet form of names beginning with 'wæt', meaning 'wet'. It was also likely used to denote a person who lived by or near a marshy area, or was employed as a fisherman.

The Weight family name was popular across much of southern England in the Middle Ages, and during the 1600s the name began to spread across northern England. By the 1700s, it had become a common name in the East Midlands region of England, particularly in counties such as South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Today, the family name Weight is still more-or-less confined to these midland counties, with there being very few Weight families outside of the East Midlands. While there may be other pockets of this surname scattered around the UK, the majority of Weights today can still be found in their ancestral East Midlands home.

Variations of the surname Weight

The surname Weight is a widely known family name of English origin. Variants on the Weight surname can either be the result of a simple spelling difference, such as ‘Waite’ or ‘Weit’, or else be the result of a patronymic surname formation, such as ’Whitney’ or ‘Wightman’.

In English, spelling variations of surnames were fairly common due to the slight differences in language stemming from the Norman Conquest from 1066 onwards. Spellings of the Weight surname may change depending on the dialect of the area in which the name was used, and it may also be subject to regional variations in pronunciation.

Variations on the Weight surname and different spellings that could indicate the same origin can include but are not limited to: Waite, Wait, Weat, Weite, Weit, Waeth, Waethe, Weat, Weathe, Wayt, Wiet, Whit, Whiters, Whiting, White, Whited, Whitey, Wight, Wightman, Wethington, Wade, Watts, Wates, Watson, Watt, Watters, Watney, Waye, Wayne, Wain, Waine and Way.

Patronymic surnames may also carry a similar origin to the Weight surname. This may indicate that the surname has an underlying meaning to suggest the occupation of the original bearer. Such surnames can include William-son, Whit-son, and Wright, all of which indicate a direct family relationship and a similar origin to the Weight surname.

Famous people with the name Weight

• June Weight: actress, known for Young Adult (2011)
• Tom Weight: former professional baseball player
• Denny Weight: professional wrestler
• Tara Weight: singer-songwriter
• Sam Weight: soccer player
• Mitchell Weight: professional baseball player
• Tim Weight: attorney and former state representative
• Joe Weight: actor
• Chris Weight: professional wrestler
• Eric Weight: former professional baseball player
• Simon Weight: musician
• Jason Weight: radio show host
• Ross Weight: former professional basketball player
• Brenda Weight: opera singer
• Collin Weight: professional snowboarder
• Emmett Weight: actor
• William Weight: former professional football player
• Ernlene Weight: discus thrower
• Jon Weight: actor
• Kyle Weight: professional golfer

Other surnames

WeighardtWeighartWeigholdWeightman