Surname Wheeland - Meaning and Origin
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Wheeland: What does the surname Wheeland mean?
The last name Wheeland is of English origin and can refer to someone who is descended from a person who lived in or near any of various places in Cornwall, Devon, Yorkshire, and Durham named “Wheeling”. It is likely to be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic personal name “Mac an Fhiolain”, meaning “son of Ua Fhiolain”. Alternatively, it may be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic “Mac an Bhileain”, meaning “son of the priest”.
The name Wheeland and its variants suggests a family with a long and proud history in the English Isles. It is a reminder of their ancient roots and the family’s link to a proud tradition, likely predating the Norman invasion of England in 1066. It is possible that the Wheeland family were important landowners or held positions of esteem in their local communities, or may even have held renown for their military achievements.
This last name is also indicative of the relentless human spirit in the face of great adversity, as those who bear the Wheeland name will likely have faced many hardships and oppressions while struggling to survive in their difficult and often treacherous surroundings. The name Wheeland stands as a testament to the courage and strength of the human spirit in difficult times.
Order DNA origin analysisWheeland: Where does the name Wheeland come from?
The last name Wheeland is most common in the United States, particularly in the Midwest. The name traces its roots back to colonial America and was most prevalent in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York during the 1600s and 1700s.
As of 2018, the highest concentrations of the populations with the surname Wheeland are located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin, although there are still significant populations in New York, Virginia, and Maryland as well. Additionally, the Wheeland name is common in many parts of Canada, particularly Ontario and Alberta.
The Wheeland name can be of English, Dutch, Welsh, French, German, and Irish descent. The name is fairly common among all of these nationalities, although it is unknown exactly which of these nationalities it originated from.
The Wheeland name is derived from the old English of "whee" which means "bend" or "swerve", likely referring to a bend in an area or the swerving of a river. The "land" part of the name came from the Anglo-Saxon term for land, or "lieu", referring to the land associated with the bend or swerve.
The Wheeland surname is relatively common today, particularly in certain areas of the United States and Canada. It is believed to trace its ancestry back to multiple origins and is derived from old English and Anglo-Saxon words.
Variations of the surname Wheeland
The surname Wheeland is a variant of Wheland and can also be spelled Whealand. It is a locational surname, derived from a place or geographical feature.
The variant Whealand has its origins in Ancient Scotland with roots in the Middle Ages (around 1100AD). It is most commonly found in the area of Elginshire, a county on the coast of north-east Scotland. Wheeland is believed to have derived from a place or feature called Whelan, which was located in the area.
Wheeland, Whealand and Wheland are all derived from the same origin. However, there is also a variant of the surname known as Wheelan which is believed to have derived from a separate source. In Irish folklore, it was the surname of a Saint Joseph who lived in a town called Laois in the fourth century.
In northern Ireland there is a rare variant of the Wheeland surname known as Wheland. This is believed to be derived from a small hamlet and estate located outside of Belfast.
The spelling of these surnames can vary from family to family. Therefore, not all variants may appear to be the same, such as Wheeler instead of Wheland.
Famous people with the name Wheeland
- Ben Wheeland: former American professional baseball player
- Justin Wheeland: American former ice hockey player
- Rich Wheeland: English former professional footballer
- Chris Wheeland: American expert in obstetrics and gynecology
- Todd Wheeland: American extreme sports aficionado
- Dustin Wheeland: American professional skateboarder
- James Wheeland: British Olympian sailor and sailing coach
- Dan Wheeland: American stand-up comedian and actor
- Nate Wheeland: American professional cyclist
- Patrick Wheeland: American stunt performer and actor
- Douglas Wheeland: American saxophonist and composer
- Emily Wheeland: American poet and playwright
- Aaron Wheeland: American artist and muralist
- Jen Wheeland: American self-help author
- Marissa Wheeland: American artist and sculptor
- Jeff Wheeland: American actor, writer, and director