Surname Westcote/Westcott - Meaning and Origin
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Westcote/Westcott: What does the surname Westcote/Westcott mean?
The surname Westcote or Westcott is of English origin and it is geographical in nature. It's typically derived from old English words "west" and "cot," which translated means "western cottage" or "dwelling in the west." The name was originally used to describe individuals living in or near a location bearing its name in various parts of England. There are places named Westcott in Buckinghamshire and Surrey, and Westcote in Gloucestershire, all of which could possibly have given rise to the surname. This name belongs to the category of "habitation" names, which were originally acquired by people who resided in or near such locations or lands. This was a common practice in the Middle Ages when people often were identified by their place of residence.
Order DNA origin analysisWestcote/Westcott: Where does the name Westcote/Westcott come from?
The surname Westcote/Westcott is of English origin, derived from the Old English words "west", meaning "west", and "cot", meaning "cottage" or "shelter". It initially described someone who lived in a small dwelling or cottage to the west of a main settlement. Variation in the spelling of this surname indicates that it comes from different hamlets named Westcott scattered around England, such as those found in the counties of Devon, Surrey, and Buckinghamshire.
As individuals with this surname migrated, it spread to other English-speaking countries around the world. According to the most recent data, the surname Westcote/Westcott is particularly common in the United States, England, and Australia. In the United States, the greatest concentration of individuals with the Westcote/Westcott surname are found in the states of New York, California, and Michigan. Despite its dispersion, the name is still relatively rare.
Variations of the surname Westcote/Westcott
The surname Westcote or Westcott is of English origin derived from the Old English term 'westcot', meaning a cottage to the west. It is a locational name, taken from any of several places such as Westcott in Buckinghamshire, Surrey, or Devon.
Variants of the name include Westcot, Westcoat, Westcode, and Wescott. Some spellings might also drop the 't', resulting in names such as Wescoe or Wescot.
As with many surnames that have variations, these differences often arise due to regional dialects, changes over time, or clerical errors in recording the name. In some cases, migrations to other countries have also led to alterations in spelling or pronunciation of the name.
Surnames of the same origin are those that either share the same root word, 'westcot', or those that also refer to geographical locations in England. With regard to the latter, examples might include names such as Eastcott (meaning a cottage to the east) or Northcott (meaning a cottage to the north).
Please note that the accuracy of origins and variants may vary and depend on individual family histories and genealogical research.
Famous people with the name Westcote/Westcott
- Eliot Westcote: British actor.
- Anthony Westcote: British military officer and astronomer.
- John Westcote: British actor and director.
- John Westcott: British politician.
- Winston Westcote: British actor and producer.
- Charles Westcote: British singer and songwriter.
- Naomi Westcott: British artist and illustrator.
- Jonathan Westcote: British Army general and politician.
- Ernest Westcote: British-Australian writer.
- Gertrude Westcote: British actress and dancer.
- Will Westcote: British actor and producer.
- Reginald Westcote: British sculptor.
- Bob Westcott: British politician.
- Stephen Westcott: British photographer and painter.
- Robert Westcote: British army officer.
- Edward Westcote: British Anglican bishop.
- Peter Westcott: British actor, director and producer.
- Walter Westcote: British architect.
- John Westcott: English clergyman of the Church of England.
- Thomas Westcote: British soldier and politician.