Surname Wells - Meaning and Origin
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Embarking on a journey with iGENEA has transformed my understanding of my family history and surname, "Wells". Discovering my lineage and distant relatives sparked a mixture of exhilaration, humility, and reflection over my place in my family's tapestry. This journey has emotionally enriched my life, strengthening my bond with my family and amplifying my pride in our shared name.
F. Wells
read moreWells: What does the surname Wells mean?
The last name Wells is of English origin that derived from an Anglo-Saxon family name. It's believed to have been derived from Old English wielle meaning "spring" or "stream".
Surname Wells is mostly found in the south and southwestern areas of Britain. It’s also common in Lancashire, Staffordshire, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire. People bearing the name Wells can trace their roots to these locales.
Early records show that the surname Wells goes back to at least the 12th Century. The earliest mention of the Wells surname as recorded in the Medieval English Rolls was William de Wylles, who was listed in the County of Kent in 1260. The Wells surname was also found in Somerset in early times.
Those bearing the Wells surname have produced many worthy individuals. Jonathan Wells was a prominent English Protestant writer. Wells has also been the surname of several noted authors such as H.G. Wells and Samuel Wells. Other famous Wells include renowned singer and actor Lynn Wells and the former tennis pro and U.S. Open Champion Arthur Robert Wells. There are numerous notable politicians who have borne the Wells name such as Debbie Wells (Utah house of Representatives), Marjorie Wells (Pennsylvania State Senate), and Warren R. Wells (Connecticut State Senate).
To this day, many well-known people continue to bear the Wells surname. Despite its English origin, Wells is a surname with a long global reach. It can be found around the world, as there have been settlers with the Wells surname who have traveled to both far and distant lands.
Order DNA origin analysisWells: Where does the name Wells come from?
The last name Wells is common today in countries around the world, with the highest concentration found in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is the 32nd most common surname in the United States and the 18th most common in the United Kingdom.
The surname has Anglo-Saxon origins and is derived from a location. Wells were often used to supply fresh water and were usually situated on higher ground, and it is believed that the surname came from people who lived near or worked at one such location.
In the United States, the most common states for the Wells surname are Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, and California. In the United Kingdom, the most common regions are Yorkshire, Surrey, Middlesex, Lancashire, and Greater London.
Outside of the United States and United Kingdom, the Wells surname is also popular in Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, and other parts of Europe such as Germany, Norway, and Sweden.
The Wells surname can be traced back to the 12th century and is still used today in many places across the world. It is a testament to its lasting popularity and a reminder of its Anglo-Saxon roots.
Variations of the surname Wells
The surname Wells is derived from the Old English word "wielle," meaning a spring or stream. Its variants include Weller, Will, Wellman, Wellings, Willey, Willy, Wills, Willsher, Wilshire, Weller and Welles.
The English spelling of Wells is usually seen as ‘Wells’, but different spellings of the same surname can also include Well, Welles and Weller. In some cases, the letter ‘s’ is dropped from the name to spell it ‘Well’, however this is uncommon.
The surname Wells is also found in Ireland, originating from the given name 'William'. In Ireland the variants of Wells are O'Wells, Wills, Wall, and Waller.
In Scotland, the surname Wells was derived from the Old English name Wihel, which was in turn derived from 'Gualle'. In Scotland, the Wells surname has variants such as Welch, Welche, Welchman, Welsman, Welish, and Welchman.
The Italian surnames wells can trace their origin to the Italian dialect term wesce, which means ‘to be relieved from care or worry’.
In Germany and Austria, the Wells surname is more commonly known as Welsch or Welsche. Loosely translated, the German spelling means ‘stranger’.
Wells is a very common surname older than any country. It is found in almost every European country, although its spellings may differ. By adding a little work, you can trace your Wells lineage back to the origination of the name.
Famous people with the name Wells
1.Brian Wells: American bank robber and murder victim 2.H. G. Wells: British novelist and journalist 3.Gordon Wells: Australian philosopher 4.Idris Elba: British actor and musician 5.Vivian Wells: American actress 6.Maxwell Wells: American actor 7.Pandora Wells, American fashion model 8.Julia Wells: British actor 9.Ken Wells: American novelist 10.Royce Wells: American volleyball player 11.Rashard Wells: American football player 12.Gideon Wells: British physicist 13.Roebuck Wells: African-American pinball manufacturer 14.Vaun Earl Wells: American comic book writer 15.Joel Wells: American entrepreneur 16.Rorert Tyler Wells: American sportswriter 17.Robert Vincent Wells: Canadian politician 18.Meg Woan: British TV producer, also known as Meg Wells 19.Martha Wells: American science fiction and fantasy writer 20.William Wells Brown: African-American abolitionist and writer