Surname Wheden - Meaning and Origin
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Wheden: What does the surname Wheden mean?
The last name Wheden is of English origin and can be traced back to the medieval period. Its original meaning is derived from an occupational name denoting a 'wheeler', or a maker or repairer of wheels. It was recorded in early forms as ‘Wealwud’, initially found in the Somersetshire region in the 13th century.
This name was also popular with German settlers, who brought the phonetic version of Wheden with them when coming to America. While originally used as an occupational name, it has become better known as a surname today.
The spelling of Wheden is unique and has evolved from a combination of other related surnames. It is also believed to have been a patronymic surname derived from the medieval given name, ‘Wealdwine’ or ‘Walcone’.
It is likely that many descendants of those original Whedens still exist today. The Wheden family includes some prominent people, such as English footballer David Wheden, Jamaican politician Max Wheden, and Swedish author and poet Birgitta Wheden.
At the present time, the Wheden name is not considered to be overly common or widespread, but is still seen in small numbers in the United States and other countries around the world. Its derivation from the old English occupational name is still apparent, and makes it an interesting and unique part of family history.
Order DNA origin analysisWheden: Where does the name Wheden come from?
The last name Wheden is not a particularly common name in the modern day. It is likely of British origin, possibly belonging to an anglicised branch of a Gaelic or Norse family. It is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Canada, where it can be traced back to the 16th century.
It is also found in Australia and New Zealand, mainly in rural areas. The name is said to be derived from the Old Norse given name 'Hvider' which means white, whitish or fair.
The Wheden surname is also present in smaller numbers in other countries such as Ireland, the United States, the Netherlands and Germany. In the United States, records exist of people using the name as early as the 18th century.
The surname is not particularly prominent in any one country but it does remain a fairly rare family name in some parts of the world. Today, it seems that the majority of the Wheden family still call the United Kingdom and Canada home.
Variations of the surname Wheden
Variants of the surname Wheden include Wheeden, Widne, Whedne, Wedein, Wieden, Wiedel, and Wiedein. Variants that are most likely derived from or emerged from the same origin as Wheden include Weeden, Weedun, Weitman, Wiedmann, Wieder, Wiedmann, Wiedemeier, Weidman, and Widmeier.
The origin of the surname is unclear but possibilities include Germanic, Dutch, and English. In English it may have been derived from an Old English or Anglo-Saxon personal name. Similarly, its Dutch and Germanic origin may have emerged from personal names with the prefix “wied-“ or “wiege-” meaning “wey” or “battle”. In some cases it may have originated from a locational name, possibly from a place that was owned by members of the Weden family.
The surname is believed to have first emerged in England during the Middle Ages. It is then believed to have spread to other European countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The variants of this surname have spread across the world through immigration to North America, Australia, and other countries.
The Weden family has a long and rich lineage in England and other European countries, with a wide variety of descendants living all around the world in various countries today.
Famous people with the name Wheden
- Sasha Wheden: American award-winning documentary filmmaker, author, and actress.
- Josh Wheden: former NFL wide receiver who won the Super Bowl in 1996.
- Harold Wheden: Hollywood actor known for his roles in the classic comedies It Happened One Night, Bringing Up Baby, and The Philadelphia Story.
- Ida Wheden: Swedish aviator, civil engineer, and air traffic controller.
- Roald Wheden: Norwegian mountain climber, explorer, and ski mountaineer.
- Shara Wheden: American composer, music synthesist, and sound designer.
- Anna Wheden: Nobel Prize-winning Swedish environmental activist.
- Edward Wheden: pioneering American computer scientist and security expert.
- Cyrus Wheden: Iranian-born, Swiss contemporary painter known for his abstract and semi-abstract figurative works.
- C. Frederick Wheden: American architect and designer of the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame memorial.