Surname Wharton - Meaning and Origin
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A Personal Journey through iGENEA DNA Test: Unraveling the History of the Wharton Surname
My DNA test at iGENEA, using the most advanced technologies, revealed fascinating facts about my family history and deepened my understanding of the Wharton surname. The discovery of the name's English origin, its presence before the Norman Conquest, and its ties to the Scottish clans, is a testament to the accuracy and sophistication of the iGENEA test.
N. Wharton
read moreWharton: What does the surname Wharton mean?
The English surname Wharton has both written and orally-transmitted histories that give clues into where this name originated. The most widely accepted version is that it is a habitational name, originating in the parish of Wharton in Cumberland (now known as Cumbria), England. It is believed to be derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Wihharn, possibly coupled with the Old English "tun" meaning "enclosure". In some cases, the name could have also been patronymic, derived from the father or son of Wihharn. By the 13th century, the surname Wharton was used throughout England, with records of the family name appearing in the various counties of England.
The Whartons were an ancient and distinguished family whose earliest record is of William de Wharton, in 1196 AD in Warrington, Lancashire, England. The Whartons eventually held many unique hereditary titles within the British peerage, such as Baronet, Baron, and Viscount. Members of the Wharton family who held such titles were known to be influential members of society with great wealth and power.
Today in the United Kingdom, the Wharton surname remains a popular one with individuals from all walks of life. The Wharton name continues to be used in other regions as well, such as in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, although it is more common in some countries than others. Regardless of where one is located, it is clear that the history of the Wharton surname is a long and proud one.
Order DNA origin analysisWharton: Where does the name Wharton come from?
The last name Wharton is most commonly found today in English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Stateside, the name is especially prevalent in the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland. Here, it is thought that the name emerged around the time of the American Revolution, as large numbers of British settlers moved to the area.
Elsewhere in the English-speaking world, the name has been slightly less common. However, there appears to be a level of popularity in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada as well. Much of this is due to the fact that, through mass migration, people with the Wharton name decided to make a new life abroad in these countries.
The name has also spread to other parts of the world as a result of the British Empire. It is thought that many people with the Wharton name headed out to far-flung colonies such as India, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. The name is still relatively common in these areas today.
Overall, the Wharton name has had a huge impact on the English-speaking world, and has spread to many other areas of the globe. This is largely thanks to the mass migration of people with this surname, and also the British Empire's influence across the world.
Variations of the surname Wharton
The surname Wharton has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. First of all, it is sometimes spelled "Whorton" and occasionally "Worton". This surname can also take various forms including "Worthen", "Werten", "Werthin" and "Worton". Another variant of this surname is "Whorten" or "Whurten".
Several other surnames share common roots with Wharton. One of these is the Norman surname Worthington, which is related to the Old English origin of the Wharton surname. The surnames Whitten, Whiten, Witten and Whiting also have the same roots.
The Irish surname Warton is a Closely related to Wharton, with the same origin being Middle English. A more distant relative is the surname Haverton, which is of Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a location in the Exeter region of Devon.
Finally, according to the original Feudal Rolls of 1212-14, the variant spelling "Waleton" appears. This is linked to a Walterus de Whaleton from county Wiltshire. In addition, other surnames that are derived from "Walter" include Waltho, Walton and Welton.
In conclusion, the surname Wharton has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include "Whorten", "Worton", "Worthen", "WHiten", "Witten" and "Whiting", as well as the more distant surnames, "Warton", "Haverton", "Waleton" and the "Walter" derivations.
Famous people with the name Wharton
- Edith Wharton: American novelist, short story writer, playwright and designer (1862-1937).
- Joseph Wharton: American entrepreneur and industrialist (1826-1909).
- Pierre Wharton: American legal scholar (1843-1914).
- George Wharton James: American journalist, author, and lecturer (1858-1923).
- Judge Thomas Wharton, Jr.: American jurist and lawyer (1732-1813).
- Mickey Wharton: American professional basketball player (1956- ).
- Rachel Wharton: American food writer and James Beard Award-winning author (1979- ).
- Henry Cadwalader Wharton: American naval soldier, son of the Judge Thomas Wharton, Jr. (1763-1821).
- Toya Johnson-Wharton: American actress and television personality (1975- ).
- Abijah Wharton: American soldier who fought in the Revolutionary War (1737-1822).