Surname Wesson - Meaning and Origin
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Wesson: What does the surname Wesson mean?
The last name Wesson is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was originally derived from an ancient medieval name, 'Waes(s)en'. A 'waes(s)en' was a type of worker, often a skilled labourer, who handled goods or commodities such as metals and agricultural products. The name later changed with the 's' becoming silent and evolved to 'Wesson'.
The Wesson surname is often considered to be the short form of 'waes sceon', meaning 'wealthy person' in Old English. This name was usually given to one who had acquired great wealth through their hard work and business savvy. Such people often became patrons of guilds and societies, as well as playing a significant role in regional economic and political communities.
Today, those bearing the Wesson surname can be found across the world. It is estimated that there are thousands of people with the last name in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. As the English language and its influence around the world continues to grow, it is likely that the number of people with the Wesson surname will also continue to rise.
Order DNA origin analysisWesson: Where does the name Wesson come from?
The last name Wesson is most commonly found in the United States. According to ancestry.com, Wesson is the 5,000th most common surname in America in 2020. It’s most prevalent in the Southern states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Wesson is an English occupational surname that originated sometime before the mid-19th century. It comes from “wesson man”, a term for an individual who refines the steel of blades and firearms. The name can still be found in England, but it is relatively rare.
Wesson is also seen in Canada, specifically in the Atlantic provinces. This is partly because of the large number of English emigrees who have arrived in Canada.
The name is particularly common in the United States armed forces, particularly those in the army and marines. This is a reflection of the military’s appreciation for the qualities of the surname, such as strength and perseverance.
The Wesson name continues to be seen in everyday life throughout the United States. It is seen in places like restaurants, stores, schools, and the like. You may even meet a few Wessons while out and about shopping or visiting friends.
Whether you spot the name Wesson in the United Kingdom or the United States, it’s not uncommon to find it today. It is a testament to a rich history that can still be felt today.
Variations of the surname Wesson
The surname Wesson has a variety of spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin. Common variants of this surname include Wesson, Wesson, Wessons, Wessen, Wessyn, Wessun, Wessonne, Wezson, Wessinger and Wesing. This name is of English origin, as it was first found in Devon, in the Southwest of England.
Within England, the variations of this surname appear to concentrate around the the counties of Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Gloucestershire. Outside of England, there have been several instances of the Wesson name appearing throughout Scotland, the United States, Canada and Australia.
The earliest record of the Wesson surname comes from William Wesson, who was recorded living in Chittlehampton in Devon in the 1500's. During the same period, the name would later be found in Ilfracombe in Devon.
Various other spellings of the surname Wesson appear to originate in different countries. For example, the Wezson variant is more common in Scotland while the Wessinger spelling can be found in Canada and the United States. Generally speaking, these spellings would most likely have stemmed from the original Wesson spelling in Devon, England.
In conclusion, the Wesson surname can be found in various countries and forms. Some of the common spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin include Wesson, Wesson, Wessons, Wessen, Wessyn, Wessun, Wessonne, Wezson, Wessinger and Wesing. The earliest record of the Wesson surname comes from William Wesson in Chittlehampton, Devon, in the 1500's.
Famous people with the name Wesson
- Jamie Wesson: American college football player
- David Wesson: American film actor
- Tim Wesson: British musician from the band Shed Seven
- Jon Wesson: British Olympic swimmer
- Shawn Wesson: American NASCAR driver
- Dan Wesson: American gunsmith and manufacturer of firearms
- Bill Wesson: American football coach and player
- Major Wesson: American politician and lawyer
- Peggy Wesson: American business executive, entrepreneur and author
- Dave Wesson: American Superman voice actor
- Bosworth Wesson: American physician and surgeon
- Virginia Wesson: American painter and printmaker
- Theodore G. Wesson: American Tau Beta Pi engineer
- Roger Wesson: British author and journalist
- Georges Wesson: French industrial designer
- Quincy Wesson: American dancer and choreographer
- Arnold Wesson: Danish musician and record producer
- Thomas Wesson: British architect and interior designer