Surname Welland - Meaning and Origin

Welland: What does the surname Welland mean?

The last name Welland is an English surname derived from the place-name Welland in East Anglia. The term is believed to come from the Old English words 'waell' and 'lande', which refers to a riverbank. This is likely a reference to the River Welland in Cambridgeshire, which is a tributary of the River Nen. The earliest mention of the place-name dates back to 1086, and the first record of the surname dates back to the early 13th century, with the name of William de Welland recorded in the Hundred Rolls of 1273.

The Welland family is believed to have been an influential Anglo-Saxon clan of knights and landowners, with the head of the family being Sir William de Welland. His role as a knight likely entitled him to considerable tracts of land, which his descendants would inherit. It is likely that many of the Welland's still living in England are descendants of this influential family.

Today, the surname Welland is still common in areas of East Anglia, particularly in Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. It is also found in other areas of the British Isles, though it is not as common in Scotland and Ireland. The surname is also now found in other parts of the world where people with British ancestry have settled, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Welland: Where does the name Welland come from?

The last name Welland is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, with smaller numbers of people by the same name being found in the United States and Canada. The name is most concentrated in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, and appears with a slightly higher frequency in the areas of Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire in England.

The first record of the last name Welland, or its variant spellings Weland and Weiland, appears in the Doomsday Book, which was a survey of England produced in 1086. It is believed that the name is a locational surname, derived from the town of Welland near the border of Devon and Dorset.

The population of the Welland family was estimated to have been around 5,000 by the late 19th century, and was likely significantly higher by the 21st century. Today, Welland is still relatively common in England, although it is more widely spread around the world than it was centuries ago.In the United States, it is estimated that only about 100 people carry the last name Welland.

In Canada as well, Welland is not as common a last name as it once was. Those carrying the last name Welland today are most likely descendants of British immigrants who brought their surname with them when they moved to the Americas.

Variations of the surname Welland

The surname Welland has several variants and spellings, as well as related surnames. The original spelling is Welland, but other spellings include Wellandt, Wellund, Weland, Wieland, and Wiland. These are very common variations of the original spelling, often seen in documents from centuries ago.

Variations of Welland may also be found in other countries. Many countries have their own versions or spellings of Welland. For example, in France, Welland is spelled "Wellrand" or "Wellanteau." In German, it is spelled "Wölland," "Wöllando," "Wullond," or "Wellond." In Ireland, you may find the variations "Welando," "Veland," and "Wylland." In Scandinavia, you'll come across "Velland," "Veland," and sometimes "Velande."

There are also some surnames derived from Welland. These include Welzant, Wellander, Wielant, Weiland, Welander, Welandson, Welander, and Welander. These surnames likely developed as their own distinct names when the original Welland surname became more widespread.

In short, the surname Welland has many variants, spellings, and related surnames. The original spelling is well known, but many other versions can be found in different countries from around the world. There are also some surnames that have derived from the original Welland name.

Famous people with the name Welland

• Daniel Welland: British actor best known for his roles in Wolfblood, Step Dave, and Grantchester.
• Hedda Welland: German film and television actress who is known for appearing in the show Alarm for Cobra 11: The Motorway Police.
• Ella Welland: British sports journalist and television presenter, currently serving as a pundit and commentator for the BBC.
• David Welland: Canadian actor and producer notable for his roles in Murdoch Mysteries, Republic of Doyle, and Orphan Black.
• John Welland: English actor known for his roles in Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and Waterloo Road.
• Andrew Welland: British presenter who hosted the Channel 5 game show The Quest.
• Malin Welland: Swedish actress best known for her roles in Gridlock, Salander the Dragon Tattoo, and Hundreds of Summer.
• Sebastian Welland: British novelist and playwright known for his bestselling novel The Song of the Lark.
• Anna Welland: American writer and professor, whose works contain feminist and eco-criticism elements.
• David Welland: English film editor who is well-known for the Academy Award-winning film The Great Gatsby.

Other surnames

WellandtWellausen