Surname Weldon - Meaning and Origin
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Weldon: What does the surname Weldon mean?
The last name Weldon is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word ‘wealdan’, which means ‘stranger’ or literally ‘forest dweller’. It is believed that the name was used to describe people who lived in areas where the land or landscape was vast and seemingly uncharted, far away from civilisation. The Weldon surname could either refer to someone who hailed from such an area, or as a nickname to describe someone as being different or foreign in some way. People bearing the Weldon name can be traced back to the Middle Ages when, during a period of political turmoil, families from different parts of the country united and went on to create a family that shared the same surname.
The Weldon surname appears in many parts of the world. In the United States, the states of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are known to have many people with the Weldon surname. There is also a small town in the South West of England, called Weldon, which is named after the people who settled in the area in the late 1800s.
Overall, the Weldon surname is an intriguing one. It is associated with a wanderlust and a thirst for adventure, unique characteristics that will never go out of style. The Weldon name has a long and varied history and is sure to remain a part of family lore for many years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisWeldon: Where does the name Weldon come from?
The last name Weldon is most common in the United States, where it ranks as the 1,548th most popular name according to the 2020 US Census Data. The focus is primarily in the southeastern states such as Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, although individuals with the last name can be found across the country.
Ancestry data indicates that the Weldon family arrived in America as early as the late 1600s, with immigrants from England, Ireland, or Scotland. The Weldon name initially came from Welden, a town in Hertfordshire, England.
Early records reveal that many of the Weldon family were farmers and merchants, and by the mid-1800s were found in smaller towns and cities. By the mid-1900s, individuals bearing the name were dispersed across the country, where they have continued to live in various communities.
While the last name Weldon is still common in the US today, it is listed as being much rarer in other countries for which data is available. For example, in England, the name ranks 30,742nd in popularity, and in Ireland it is 6,718th. However, in Canada it ranks considerably higher, at 826th.
Overall, the last name Weldon can currently be found in a wide range of countries, although it is particularly common in the United States.
Variations of the surname Weldon
The surname Weldon is an English and Scottish patronymic surname, which originates from the Old English personal name Wifelen. This name derives from the elements 'wifel', which means 'to yield', and 'en', which means 'son of'. Therefore, the surname literally translates as 'son of the one who yields'.
Variants of the surname include Whelan, Wheland, Welden, Welton, Weltone, Waltone and Waldon, while its various spellings are Wellden, Welden, Weildon, Weilden, Welldon and Weldin.
The surname is likely to have originated from some form of nickname - in this case, associated with someone's willingness to yield, submit or surrender.
When the surname arrived in Scotland, the spelling was modified to Whelan. This became such a popular surname that it would later be adopted as an anglicization of the Irish name Ó Faoláin.
In the United States, variants of the surname such as Welton, Waltone and Weldin are more common than Weldon. In England, however, the surname is still common and recorded with almost every spelling.
The prominent bearers of the surname include American actor Philip Weldon, anti-thsi civil rights activist Ida B. Wells and renowned playwright and screenwriter Peter Welden.
Robert Weldon is famous for his pioneering work in the field of photomicrography, while Olympic athlete Michael Weldon has gained many medals for the United Kingdom in the long-jump event.
Famous people with the name Weldon
- Evelyn Sharp-Weldon: She was an American mystery novelist, story writer, editor and screenwriter.
- Beau Weldon: He is a former professional basketball player and current assistant executive director of the NBPA.
- Rodney Weldon: He is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball from 1981 to 1992.
- P S Weldon: He was an Irish composer and conductor who wrote many church music compositions in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Rufus Weldon: He was an American civil engineer, author and publisher, best known for his work on California water systems.
- Sam Weldon: He is an American football linebacker who currently plays for the New Orleans Saints.
- Chris Weldon: He is an American actor and singer best known for his performances in the Broadway musical Hairspray.
- Matthew Weldon: He is an American actor, producer and voice actor who voices characters for the animated series Adventure Time.
- Billy Weldon: He was an English professional footballer who played for Arsenal and Leicester City.
- Bonner Weldon: He was an American blues and soul singer-songwriter who released several albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s.