Surname Wheedon - Meaning and Origin
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Wheedon: What does the surname Wheedon mean?
The last name Wheedon is an English occupational surname derived from the Old English language. It is believed to have referred to a wage-earner or tradesman. Specifically, Wheedon may have been a term used to denote one whoworks or labors as a weaver. Weavers were skilled craftsmen in the Middle Ages and early Modern Period who put threads and yarns together to form textiles such as fabric and clothing.
The earliest evidence of the name Wheedon in England dates from the 13th century. The earliest recorded individual bearing the name Wheedon was Richard Wheedon who resided in Oxfordshire around 1273. At the time of the British census of 1881, the greatest numbers of individuals bearing the Wheedon surname were found in Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Lancashire.
The Wheedon surname is not particularly common today. Those who do bear this last name are generally descended from a long line of weavers whose families had roots in England. In modern times, individuals bearing the Wheedon name are still found primarily in England, although it is now possible to find individuals who have emigrated to other countries such as the United States as well.
Order DNA origin analysisWheedon: Where does the name Wheedon come from?
The last name Wheedon is primarily found in the United Kingdom today within areas of Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Warwickshire. It is also found in record from 16th and 17th century East Anglia. It is believed to be of English origin, and derived from the Old English pet name of "Weofa" or "Wifu," which were used as prefixes to create descriptive names. The Wheedon surname is recorded in the historic archives as Puttok Weofden of Lincolnshire in 1273, Ellis Wheedon of Derbyshire in 1518, and John Wheedon of Warwickshire in 1542.
Recent record finds Wheedon being used as a last name in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The surname Wheedon also appears as a variant spelled Wheedon, Wheaton and Wheeten. It is found primarily as a last name, rarely as a first name.
Many people with the last name Wheedon can be found in the United States with the surname being spread across various states such as California, Texas, New York, Florida, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The Wheedon surname can also be found in countries including Australia, Germany, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
In the United States, people with the last name Wheedon are spread over various different states. It is a middle-ranking surname in the United States, with only 0.023% of Americans bearing the surname.
Variations of the surname Wheedon
The surname Wheedon has a variety of different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of Wheedon is Wheaton, with other alternative spellings including Weedon, Widon, Weadon, Wedon, or Wheden. It is also known as Widany, Wheeddon, or Wheddon.
Wheedon itself is an English surname, derived from an old English place name, such as Witan's Hill. It can be found in England, Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. Wheedon is believed to be related to the Old English word "wige", which means to bend or sway, which is what a hill does when seen from a distance.
Variants of Wheedon include Whidon, Whaddon, Wheddon, Whiting, Wise, Widin, Whedding, Wedding, and Widney, while surnames with a similar origin include Wideman, Widener, Weedman, and Widdison. Its Irish variant is O'Feidhín, while its Scottish counterpart is Wheuddon or Wheadon.
The Wheedon surname can also be seen in fishing records, with many individuals listed in records with the Wheedon surname catching various fish such as cod, salmon, and mackerel. This could suggest that those with the name Wheedon may have had a relationship with fishing at one point in time.
Altogether, there are numerous variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wheedon.
Famous people with the name Wheedon
- Joss Whedon: Director, producer, screenwriter, and composer best known for shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, and The Avengers.
- Sarah Wheedon: Joss Whedon's sister and a co-producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
- Zack Whedon: Joss Whedon's brother and a writer for shows such as Deadwood and Rubicon.
- John Whedon: Joss Whedon's father, a television writer, and producer who wrote for shows such as The Donna Reed Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
- Tom Whedon: Joss Whedon's grandfather, a television writer and producer who wrote for shows such as Leave It to Beaver and Family Ties.
- Leigh Whedon: Joss Whedon's aunt, a television writer who wrote for shows such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi.
- Jonathon Whedon: Joss Whedon's cousin, a director and writer for shows such as The Office and Parks and Recreation.
- Nick Whedon: Joss Whedon's cousin, an actor who has appeared in a number of films and television shows including Devious Maids and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
- Colebrookboy: Musician best known for his work on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack and for his involvement in various musical collaborations with Joss Whedon.