Surname Whichard - Meaning and Origin
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Whichard: What does the surname Whichard mean?
The last name Whichard is of Norman origin, and it is derived from an Anglo-Saxon surname that was taken up sometime after the Conquest of England in 1066. It was often given to one who had been in service of the Whitchuras family, a powerful family that occupied land in during the Middle Ages.
The name Whichard can have several meanings, all somewhat related. One interpretation is that it is simply a variation on the name Whitchurch, which was a district in Salisbury. Another interpretation suggests that it derived from "Wicca Ward," from the Old English term meaning "healer" or "church keeper." Lastly, some claim the name comes from the words "Wyca," which means "warrior," and "Hoard," which means a "memorial to a victorious battle."
Throughout the years, the Whichard family has had many notable members, including military officials, scholars, and politicians. Some of the more well-known individuals include John Whichard, a colonel in the Continental Line of the Revolutionary War; Robert L. Whichard, a member of the United States House of Representatives; and Dr. Walter B. Whichard, the first African American to enroll at Duke University.
Overall, the name Whichard is a testament to its Norman roots and to the power and status of the Whitchuras family. It is also a testament to the accomplishments of its distinctive members.
Order DNA origin analysisWhichard: Where does the name Whichard come from?
The last name Whichard is most common in the United States today, particularly in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The Whichard family likely originated in Europe, with some historians tracing the name to France or Germany.
The Whichard name is believed to have been brought to America in the 1700s, when the Whichards were among the German, Scots, French, and English families who migrated to the American colonies. The Whichards were among the earliest settlers of North Carolina, primarily setting up settlements in the coastal regions of the state. By the late 1700s, the Whichard name was also established in other regions such as Maryland and Virginia.
Today, the Whichard family is found in all parts of the United States. In North Carolina, the name is still fairly widespread, with members of the family living in the eastern, western, and central regions of the state. Additional large populations of Whichards are found in South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, but they are also located in other parts of the United States, such as New York, Illinois, and Georgia.
The Whichards today remain largely connected through family gatherings, reunions, and other events. If you’re looking for a Whichard, chances are you’ll be able to find one somewhere in the United States.
Variations of the surname Whichard
The surname Whichard is an English origin name and it has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant is Whitcherd, while Whecherd, Whetchard, Whicherd, Wichard, Witchard, and Witchwood are also variants of the same origin. Other spellings include Wheatchard, Wheatcherd, Wheatchord, Whetchurd, Whitehered, Whitewood, and whichhard.
The earliest recorded variant of the surname is Whecherd, appearing first in records dating back to 1189. This spelling is derived from the Old English word, hwaet, meaning wheat, and ceard, meaning keeper or steward.
Other variants such as Whitcherd, Whetchard, Whicherd, Wichard, Witchard, and Witchwood can also refer to a wheat keeper. The variant Witchwood may also be a reference to a large district of land, which stored large amounts of wheat for protection against changes in weather.
The name Whichard can also be a combination of two distinct words, such as hwaet and ceorl, meaning wheat and peasant. In this case, the surname would refer to a peasant who was a wheat keeper or labourer.
It is possible that the surname Whichard also originates from the Old English word, hwicea, meaning swineherd. In this case, the name would refer to someone who is responsible for the care and maintenance of pigs or another livestock.
The surname Whichard can also be a combination of the words hwaet and weard, which together mean wheat guard or keeper. This variant could indicate someone who works on a farm to guard the wheat crop from theft or damage.
In conclusion, there are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Whichard. While all of these variants share the same origin and meaning, each individual variant may also have a slightly different meaning or origin.
Famous people with the name Whichard
- William C. Whichard: William was a former US congressman from North Carolina who represented the 1st Congressional District of the state in Congress from 1978 to 1983.
- Stephen Whichard: Stephen is an American composer, saxophonist, and composer of television/film music. He has composed music for television shows such as Fear Factor and Survivor.
- Sprague Whichard: Sprague is a Grammy-nominated American singer-songwriter who is best known for his 1982 hit single "Gettin' Ready for Love."
- Aziza Whichard: Aziza is an American actress who is best known for her roles in films such as Rebound and Frankie and Johnny.
- Joey Whichard: Joey is an Australian professional football player who plays for the Australian National Team. Joey was part of the squad that went on to win the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
- McKim Whichard: McKim is an American pop/rock musician and songwriter who is best known for his 1985 hit single "Love Comes".
- Abigail Whichard: Abigail is an American journalist and news anchor. She has worked for numerous news outlets including ABC News and CBS News.
- Jean Whichard: Jean is a former state legislator from Louisiana, representing District 66 in the House of Representatives from 1990 to 2008.
- Pansy Whichard: Pansy is an American actress who is best known for her roles in television shows like M*A*S*H and Bare Necessities.
- Bruce Whichard: Bruce is a retired Major League Baseball player who played for the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox during his 15 year career.