Surname Wheler - Meaning and Origin

Wheler: What does the surname Wheler mean?

The last name Wheler is an English topographic surname derived from a place-name in Old English. It is likely derived from the Old English word “hwhela,” which means “Water Wheel”—or more literally, “Wheeler of Water.” This suggests that wheler is a name for someone who lived near a water wheel or a river.

This is an occupational surname, because it originally referred to someone who was employed by a water mill or pin mill to turn a large wheel that propelled the machinery. It was also used to refer to a person who operated a craft in which a wheel was a major part, such as a boat or a cart. The name was more generally used to refer to anyone who used a wheel as part of an occupation, such as a wheelwright or wagon maker.

The Wheler surname has been found in many parts of England, with records beginning in 1292. It is also prevalent in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. The various forms of the Wheler surname (including Whaler, Wyler, and Whalin) indicate it is popular.

Today, Wheler is still an occupational name and is found among people who work in industries related to water wheels and wheels in general. It is often used as a surname for those who build, transport, or assemble items that contain wheels. It is also a popular surname for those who use their family name to express an appreciation of the importance of wheels in the past.

Wheler: Where does the name Wheler come from?

The Wheler surname is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom, particularly in the English counties of Lancashire, Staffordshire, and Shropshire.

The Wheler surname is thought to have originated from the village of Wheler, now located in the borough of Trafford, Greater Manchester. It is likely that the Wheler surname came to England with the Norman Conquest of 1066, as evidenced in the records of William Wheler, who was recorded as living there in 1186.

The Wheler name has also migrated to other parts of the world. Australia's first Governor, Arthur Phillip was born Arthur Phillip Wheler in the Hampshire village of Wootton St. Lawrence. In America, several families with the Wheler name can be found, many of whom are descended from the original Freeman family of Middlesex, VA.

The distribution of the Wheler name in the United Kingdom and overseas is fairly even. Though most of the individuals and families bearing the Wheler name today have likely descended from the original William Wheler of Normandy, many of the overseas branches are likely descended from the Freeman family in VA.

Variations of the surname Wheler

The surname Wheler has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Whellor, Wheeler, Weilar, Weillar, Weiller, Whaler, Whellar, Whale, Whellar and Wherler.

Wheller is an English surname of Norman origin, which is derived from the Old French ‘whelleder’ or ‘wheler’, meaning wagoner or wheeler. During the medieval period many surnames had occupational origins and the Wheler surname is an example of these. Those named Wheler would have been responsible for tasks involving the wheel, such as travel. The surname was first found in the early records of Lancashire, England, but is now found through the English-speaking world.

Whellor, Wheeler and Weillar are the most common variants of the Wheler surname. Other variants include Weilar, Weiller, Whaler, Whellar, Whale, Whellar and Wherler. The origin of these variants can be trace back to different spellings and dialects of the Norman language. The spelling of surnames was not of a consistent standard until the 1900's and variations in spelling were far more common.

The Wheler surname can also be found in Scotland in the form of the variants Whelor and Whalor. This variant may be a combination of the original surname Wheler and the Scots variation of the surname Waller. Waller is an English surname, derived from the Old English ‘wealere’ meaning tiller of the Soil.

The Wheler surname is also found in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other English-speaking countries. In the USA, the spelling of the surname has been found as Wheelor and Wheller. In Australia, it has been found as Whellar and Whale and in New Zealand, an adaptation of Wheller is found as Weller.

In conclusion, the surname Wheler has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These can be found in England, Scotland, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The variation in spelling of the Wheler surname can be attributed to the inconsistent standard of spelling in the past and the adaptation of the surname to different dialects and languages.

Famous people with the name Wheler

• Julia Wheler-Bradshaw: a prominent British-born Canadian actress.
• Natalie Wheler: a professional dancer, winner of the 10th season of Strictly Come Dancing.
• Philip Wheler: a British composer, arranger, and conductor.
• Edward Wheler: an English politician and Member of Parliament.
• David Wheler: a British author and theologian.
• John Wheler: an English philanthropist and physician of the 16th century.
• Patrick Wheler: an English mathematician, chemist and mineralogist.
• Chris Wheler: a British actor, best known for his role as Gary in the ITV drama series Eldorado.
• Darius Wheler: an American actor, best known for his role on Miracles.
• Richard Wheler: an English composer who wrote many church anthems during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Other surnames

Whelehan