Surname Wheaten - Meaning and Origin
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Wheaten: What does the surname Wheaten mean?
The last name Wheaten has origins in Old English and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The surname is derived from the word ‘wheatan’, which translates to wheat. People with this surname were likely engaged in the farming of wheat or in the sale of wheat-based products.
It is also possible that Wheaten is an occupational name, and was used to refer to those who stood or worked at wheat markets. The word ‘wheat’ occurs in many of the British Isles surnames, and the name Wheaten may have been used as an occupational identifier for those who worked in the wheat trade.
The Wheaten surname can also be related to the word ‘whit’, which was an old English term for white. The surname could have been taken from those who had very pale complexions, or referred to persons engaged in textile production or the bleaching of fabric.
The Wheaten surname was likely brought to America by 17th or 18th century immigrants, and today is found predominately in England and North America. The name is a reminder of the family’s agricultural heritage and a testament to the hard work of those who harvested wheat fields in days gone by.
Order DNA origin analysisWheaten: Where does the name Wheaten come from?
The last name Wheaten, originating in Ireland, is most commonly found in the United States today. In the 1990 United States Census, there were an estimated 1,030 people in the U.S. with the last name Wheaten, with the highest population in California at 319 individuals. According to the 2000 United States Census, the states with the highest population of people named Wheaten were Pennsylvania with 134 people, followed by Michigan with 132 people, and then Illinois with 122 people.
Although it is not as common in the United States as it once was during the time of the 19th century immigration from Ireland, it is still alive and well in 2020. Many Irish Americans find themselves, their families, and their sons, daughters, and grandchildren scattered across the United States.
Aside from the United States, Wheaten is also found in countries such as England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and in some other countries that still have a strong Irish population today such as Australia.
On the web, you can find several records, databases, and genealogy sites that will help you find more information about your family history and the history of the last name Wheaten. By researching online, you can get a better picture of who your ancestors were, how they lived, and how they ended up in the United States.
No matter where you go in the world today, you are bound to meet someone with the last name Wheaten. If you look close enough, you may even find yourself in the company of distant relatives.
Variations of the surname Wheaten
The surname Wheaten is derived from the Old English word we(h)t, meaning wheat. The name is most likely a description of someone's clothing or occupation, as people with the name often lived near wheat fields or were farmers or bakers.
Variants of the name Wheaten include Wheat, Wheaton, Wheatin, Wheaton, Wheatman, Whatman, Witman, and Whittman. Common alternate spellings of the surname include Whetten, Wheatan, Whetan, and Whitten.
The name continues to be found in Germany, Ireland, England, Scotland, and the United States, with variations in spelling and spelling to reflect regional differences.
In Ireland, Wheaton is the Irish form of the surname Wheaten and is found mainly in Ulster and Leinster, with a history that dates back to the 11th century when the O' hUAidhtheanaigh clan resided in the area known now as County Wexford. The O' hUAidhtheanaigh clan's crest is a hand shown wielding a weapon in a fist.
Wheatman is another variation of the surname and is found mainly in the English counties of Cumberland and North Yorkshire. It is thought to have been derived from a manor in Yorkshire believed to have been held by a family of this name in 1192.
In Germany, the surname Witten is derived from the Middle High German word wite(n), meaning whiteness, brightness. It is an occupational name for someone who worked with or sold white cloth.
In Scotland, Whatman is derived from the Old English word wytheuman or witheuman, which is composed of two elements, wite meaning wood or wicker and mann, meaning man. The name is yet another occupational name belonging to someone who gathered and sold wood or wicker.
Wheaten is a surname with many variations across different cultures and generations. Its interesting history and connection to farming and baking makes it unique and special.
Famous people with the name Wheaten
- Teri Garr: American actress.
- Lucy the dog: Border Terrier star of the movie Homeward Bound.
- Sean Wheaten: Australian actor and musician.
- Phillip Wheaten: American photographer and adventurer.
- Sean Wheaten: British actor and comedian.
- Jack Wheaten: American professional ice hockey player.
- Darian Wheaten: British television actor.
- Norah Wheaten: Irish television actress.
- David Wheaten: American jazz pianist.
- Tony Wheaten: American painter.