Surname Wheadon - Meaning and Origin

Wheadon: What does the surname Wheadon mean?

The last name Wheadon is believed to have originated in England during the Middle Ages. The name is derived from the Old English meaning "from the wheaton," which was a town or settlement with wheat fields. The name was most likely given to someone who lived in such an area.

The Wheadon surname could also have been derived from the Old English term "whid" meaning wheat. This is suggested as translations in foreign records during the Middle Ages describe "Whedes" or "Whede" as meaning "of the wheat."

Over time, the name has been modified and various spellings have emerged, such as Wheden, Wheatin, Whaton, Wheaton, and Wheadon.

The Wheadon name can be found in records in England and Wales as early as the 16th century. In modern times, the name is spread out across the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

The Wheadon family coat of arms features three sheaves of wheat or oats on a green shield. This is a reference to the origin of the surname, emphasizing the family’s connection to the wheat trade.

Today, the Wheadon family name is still associated with a connection to the wheat trade as well as strength, reliability, and hard work. It is a reminder of a rich family history that stretches back centuries.

Wheadon: Where does the name Wheadon come from?

The last name Wheadon is a fairly uncommon name today in most areas of the world, though it can still be found in some parts of the United Kingdom, North America, and Australia.

The UK may have the strongest concentration of the Wheadon surname, particularly in the country’s southeast. In fact, England and Wales were home to the highest number of people with the Wheadon surname in 1881. Most of them lived in Devon, followed by Cornwall, Somerset, Wiltshire, and Dorset.

In the US, the Wheadon surname can be found across the country, but has been most concentrated in Midwestern states like Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

In Canada, which was home to fewer people with the Wheadon surname in 1881, the name is mostly found in Ontario, though it does occur in other provinces and territories as well.

In Australia, the Wheadon name is most common in Queensland, though it can also be found in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.

In short, the Wheadon surname is quite uncommon today, but it can still be found concentrated in specific regions around the world, particularly in the United Kingdom, US, Canada, and Australian states where the name was common in the 19th century.

Variations of the surname Wheadon

The spelling variants and surnames of the same origin for Wheadon include Wheaden, Weadon, Wheedon, Weedon, Weedan, Widon, Wiedon, Widan, Weeden, Wheden, Whedin, Whedan, and Wheeden.

Robert DeWhedene first appears in the Records of Winchester in England during 1173 AD and it is believed that all variants of the surname Wheadon may be derived from his name. As surnames became popular during the 12th Century AD, many spelling variants of the original DeWhedene name were created. Robert DeWhedene was the first recorded person of the name; it is thought his name was derived from a combination of the Old English words Wey, meaning clearing, and Denu meaning valley, which gave “clearing in the valley”.

The name Weadon was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086 AD, for Oxfordshire and Wiltshire counties. This was an alternate spelling of Weyden, now known as Wheadon, which also has many spelling variants.

The surname Weeden was recorded in 1332 AD in the Derbyshire County Subsidy Rolls. This name was also derived from Weyden and is likely a branch of the same origin.

The surname Whedin was recorded in 1271 AD in the Yorkshire County Rolls and was derived from Weyden.

The spelling variant Widon appears to have originated in Scotland and was recorded in 1619 AD in The Inquisitiones, Edinburghs.

The surname Wheeden was first recorded in London in 1619 AD in The Wills of citizens of the City of London.

Other variants, such as Wiedon, Widan, and Whedan, are thought to have been derived from alternate spellings of the old name Weyden and the later name Wheadon.

Famous people with the name Wheadon

• Marion Wheadon: an English writer of the Edwardian period, best-known for her short stories.
• Tom Wheadon: an English actor, who has had roles in Doctor Who, Line of Duty, The Crown and Game of Thrones.
• Jessie Wheadon: an Australian painter and sculptor whose works are part of the National Gallery of Australia's collection.
• Amanda Wheadon: a Canadian novelist and screenwriter, best known for her dystopian series Juliette Dragon.
• John Wheadon: an American football player who most recently played for the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Eleanor Wheadon: a British philosopher and author, known for her works on personal identity and self-determination.
• Jack Wheadon: a British actor, best-known for his lead role in the Channel 4 TV series The Looking Glass.
• Edith Wheadon: an English fashion designer, best known for her revolutionary designs of the 1920s.
• William Wheadon: an American actor best-known for his portrayal of Professor Septimus in the Harry Potter movie series.
• Pat Wheadon: a Scottish singer and songwriter, best known for her hit song "A Little Inspiration".

Other surnames

Wheaden