Surname Wheaton - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling my Roots: A Personal Journey using the iGENEA DNA Test
The iGENEA DNA test offers an in-depth exploration of one's lineage using Y-DNA and mtDNA testing. Through this experience, I learned the roots of my surname, Wheaton, and connected with similarly named individuals around the world.
M. Wheaton
read moreWheaton: What does the surname Wheaton mean?
The last name Wheaton is a locational surname that originates from the place-name Wheaton, located in Somerset, England. The suffix ‘ton’ implies a settlement or farm, and the root of the name likely originates from the Old English word ‘hwita’, describing something that is white or bright.
Wheaton has been around since before the Norman Conquest in 1066, where it is first recorded as Uuetone. The name also appears in various forms throughout the centuries, including Witon, Whiton, Whittley, Whitley and Whytton.
Today, as well as in historical records, Wheaton is a fairly common surname. The Wheaton family has likely been in England for many years, and their name is likely derived from the place they originated from.
Aside from the surname itself, the Wheaton family has a rich history, being listed as one of the top 12 Baronetcies of England whose title survives. In addition, the name has been known to belong to members of various government positions and to people who have achieved notoriety for their accomplishments.
Overall, the Wheaton family has roots deeply tied to England, and their surname undoubtedly reflects this.
Order DNA origin analysisWheaton: Where does the name Wheaton come from?
The last name Wheaton is most common in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, there were over 14,000 people with the surname Wheaton living in the US as of 2017. The distribution of the Wheaton name was most concentrated in the Midwest, with the highest concentrations in the states of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The majority of those sharing this name are likely descended from the early Anglo-Saxon settlers of the British Isles.
The Wheaton name is also found in other English-speaking countries with smaller numbers of them living in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In England, people with this surname are found mainly in the counties of Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. In Scotland, Wheaton is mainly found in Peebles and Midlothian.
Wheaton is an uncommon name in other parts of the world, with only some having migrated to countries like Brazil and South Africa.
Overall, it is mainly an English speaking nation phenomenon, with a majority of Wheaton's residing in the United States.
Variations of the surname Wheaton
Wheaton is a surname that has been used in Britain and America for centuries, and is likely pronounced ‘Whee-tun’ in both countries. Variants of the name include the spellings Weton, Wheadon, Wheddon, Wheden, Weedon, and Wheaten. Wheaton is also sometimes spelled Whiton, Wheeton or sometimes even Whetin or Wheatin.
The earliest record of the surname in Britain was in Scotland in 1266, where a William Whetton is mentioned in official records. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Wheaton families were found mainly in South London and east Kent in England, and in several parishes of Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire in the south of England.
In America today, Wheaton is primarily an Anglo-Saxon surname. It arrived in colonial America in its various spellings in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, mostly with British settlers and soldiers from the south of England.
Variants and misspellings of Wheaton in America today include Wheaton and Whitton. Others include Whetin, Wieden, Wieton, Wiedon and Weton. Surnames sharing the same root as Wheaton include Wheedon, Whaler, Weiden and Wheland.
Famous people with the name Wheaton
- Wil Wheaton: Actor, author, and television personality.
- Maurice Wheaton: Former NFL linebacker.
- John Wheaton: American boxer and former world champion.
- Paul Wheaton: Software programmer and author.
- Delany Wheaton: Professional ballroom dancer and instructor.
- Jett Wheaton: YouTuber and comedian.
- Barbara Wheaton: Food historian and author.
- Taylor Wheaton: Actor.
- Thomas Wheaton: Moderator of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention in 1865.
- Perry Wheaton: Entrepreneur and philanthropist.