Surname Whetmore - Meaning and Origin
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Whetmore: What does the surname Whetmore mean?
The last name Whetmore is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English 'hwæt,' which means "clever" or "thoughtful" and 'mor,' meaning "moorland" or "fen." The name could have been adopted as a literal reference to the family's place of origin or been chosen to reflect the family's aspiration to be recognised as thoughtful and discerning.
The Whetmore name has been around in England since the Middle Ages and was common in the early 13th century. The Whetmore name has been used as part of numerous place-names, such as in Whetmore Restorations Ltd., in which the surname may have been derived from Hugh Whatmore, renowned cartographer and Surrey landowner in the mid-17th century.
The Whetmore family name has been recorded in many ancient documents, including the Assize Rolls of 1218, which lists a Roger Whetmore as holding the position of bailiff in the county of Somerset. There are also records from the 13th century showing land owners from the same family line in Devon. The Whetmore name has lived on over the centuries, with records mentioning many different variations of the original spelling, such as Whatmoor, Wattmore, Wettmore, Wytemore, Widmore, and Wetmore.
In modern days, the Whetmore family name is still held proudly by a number of prominent members of the British aristocracy. In more recent years, members of the family have made contributions to society, both nationally and internationally. An example of this would be the esteemed Dr. Richard Whetmore, who was awarded the Albert Medal by The Royal Society of London for his outstanding contributions to science in the 19th century.
Undoubtedly, this name has been around for centuries and will continue to remain an integral part of British history in the years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisWhetmore: Where does the name Whetmore come from?
The last name Whetmore can be found all over the world today, primarily in countries that were historically part of the British Empire. In the United States, Whetmore family members are located primarily in the mid-Atlantic and New England states, as well as in California. In Canada, the concentration is found mainly in Ontario with some presence in Alberta and British Columbia. In the United Kingdom, Whetmores are mainly located in Scotland and Northern England, particularly in the Yorkshire area.
The last name Whetmore is believed to be of English origin, and is derived from an archaic word meaning “wheat mill”. Given the name’s origination, many people assume that the name was once associated with millers and mill-owners. Nationwide, there are several businesses and organizations with the Whetmore name, indicating that some generations of the family have remained in the trade.
In recent years, due to increased mobility, the Whetmore name has become more dispersed around the world. Whetmore family members have been found in a variety of places including South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. It also appears to be emerging in France, Germany, and other European nations.
Overall, the Whetmore surname is a rare one that has been around for centuries. It is thought to have developed from the tradition of naming individuals after their employment or location, and it appears to have remained in use to the present day in a number of modern countries.
Variations of the surname Whetmore
Whetmore is an English surname derived from Old English words meaning “woad moor.”Variations of Whetmore include Wetmore, Wheetmore, Whettmore, Wethmore, Wethmoor, Wetmoor, Wheetmoor and Wettmoor.
Wetmore is the most common variation of the Whetmore surname. It is generally accepted to have originated as a topographic name for someone who lived near a wet or damp moorland. Whetmore is a more recent variation, derived from Wetmore.
Wheetmore is a variant spelling of the Whetmore surname, likely derived from an Old English word meaning “wheat moor.” Whettmore comes from the same root, as do Wethmore and Wethmoor.
Wettmoor and Wetmoor are alternate spellings of Wetmore. They refer to a wet or damp moorland, and likely originate from Old English words. Similarly, Wheetmoor is a variation of Wheetmore, meaning “wheat moor.”
In conclusion, all of these different spellings and surnames, Whetmore, Wetmore, Wheetmore, Whettmore, Wethmore, Wethmoor, Wetmoor, Wheetmoor and Wettmoor, all originate from Old English words, meaning “woad moor” or “wheat moor.” These spellings and surnames are used interchangeably when referring to the same family.
Famous people with the name Whetmore
- Jonathan Whetmore: American dancer, choreographer, and entertainment producer.
- Clifford Whetmore: American politician from Maine.
- Keith Whetmore: English inventor and entrepreneur.
- Clive Whetmore: British historian.
- Ben Whetmore: American actor and producer.
- Carolyn Whetmore: American lawyer and author.
- Joe Whetmore: American theater and film director.
- David Whetmore: American golfer.
- Nancy Whetmore: American actress.
- April Whetmore: Canadian cellist and composer.