Surname Wheway - Meaning and Origin
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Wheway: What does the surname Wheway mean?
The last name Wheway is thought to have originated in England from the Old English word ‘hwelwe’ meaning “wheel” or “cart wheel”. It is believed to have been derived from a nickname given to a wheelwright or cartwright. Alternatively, the name could have been given to a person with a curly or wavy head of hair, as “way” in various Anglo-Saxon dialects means “course” or “shape”.
The earliest recorded example of the name Wheway is found in the Curia Regis Rolls of Surrey dated 1207. This is believed to be a record of William Wheway, wheelwright, and his wife alleging damages against a man for which they had to settle. Over the following centuries, the name became more popular and can be found scattered throughout various parts of Britain.
Today, there are thousands of families that can trace their lineage to the Wheway name. The most common variations of the name include Wheway, Weway, and Whealey. Despite its recent growth in popularity, Wheway remains a rather unique name and is relatively uncommon in comparison to some other names from the same period.
Order DNA origin analysisWheway: Where does the name Wheway come from?
The surname Wheway is primarily found in the United Kingdom. It is a locational surname, which means it was likely taken on by someone who moved from one place to another. The surname is not especially common today, but has been found in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland at various points in time.
The origins of the surname Wheway can be traced back to pre-Norman England. It was likely a contraction of "where away," which was an old question asked when strangers entered a village, meaning "Where are you going?" This was a sensible question in an era when roads were few and travelers rare.
Today, it is believed that the Wheway surname is mainly concentrated in northern and western England, particularly around the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire. It has also been found in Scotland, though to a far lesser degree. Wheway is an uncommon surname in the United States, but records have been found in the states of Virginia, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.
The Wheway surname continues to exist in the United Kingdom today, however it is not especially common. For those looking to trace their ancestry with the surname, genealogical records can be found in many local libraries and online resources.
Variations of the surname Wheway
Wheway is a surname with several variants, spellings, and related surnames. Wheway is an English surname of patronymic origin, meaning it is derived from the first name of the father or a paternal ancestor.
The most commonly used variant spelling of Wheway is Way. Other spellings include Wey, Whewey, Wheely, Weelay, and Whealey. Weelay and Whewey both appear to be more western English variations, while Wheely and Whealey are more Midlands English.
The surnames Whewell, Weaver, Weavers, Weever, Weare, and Weavers are closely related to Wheway. Whewell and Weaver are both occupational surnames derived from a weaver, the highly skilled craftsman who builds cloth by using other materials such as string and fabric. Similarly, Weavers is an occupational name for a weaver.
Weever and Weare derived from a Middle English personal name, Wever, or the Old English word weor, meaning ‘weaver’. Finally, Weavers is derived from the Middle English word ‘weve’, meaning ‘weavers’.
Variations in spelling of immigrants’ surnames were common in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century due to cultural and language barriers. This is likely the case of Wheway and its variants, with varying spellings used to represent this anglicized name.
Famous people with the name Wheway
- Amelia Wheway: British model and beauty queen
- James Wheway: British Football League goalkeeper
- Chris Wheway: British actor and film producer
- Graham Wheway: British photographer
- Thomas Wheway: British philosopher
- Harry Wheway: British actor
- Victoria Wheway: British restaurateur
- Edward Wheway: British artist and illustrator
- Mary Wheway: British model
- Charlotte Wheway: British film director