Surname Whiffing - Meaning and Origin

Whiffing: What does the surname Whiffing mean?

The origin of the last name Whiffing is uncertain, however, there is some speculation that it may be of German and Dutch origin. The name likely originated as an occupational name used to denote a person who handled oils or, more specifically, “whiffs” derived from scented oils. Whiffing could also be a habitational name derived from an unnamed village in Germany or elsewhere.

The term “whiffing” may have also been a phrase used to describe a person with a keen sense of smell or to describe the act of using a scent to differentiate a variety of substances. In other words, “whiffing” was a way of differentiating objects and substances by their smell.

Today, the surname Whiffing is a common one, particularly in the United States. It is likely that those with this surname are descendants of the original German and Dutch settlers. As such, it is possible that some of the original traditions and culinary habits of these German and Dutch settlers are still present in modern day Whiffing families.

Since its original origin, the last name Whiffing has evolved and spread through many cultures and countries into a widely used surname. Despite its uncertain origins, the name has persisted and will likely continue to do so in the future.

Whiffing: Where does the name Whiffing come from?

The last name Whiffing is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. This surname originally has roots in Wales but is found throughout the UK and other parts of the world.

The majority of people with this last name are of Welsh descent. It is believed that the name derived from the Welsh word ‘gwyddon’, which means ‘wise man’ or ‘wise woman’. It is thought that this surname originated from a family of wise individuals who held strong personal beliefs and religious beliefs, which they passed down to their descendants.

The 2001 UK Census records over 1,500 people with the surname in the country. The name is predominantly found in counties such as Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Hampshire and Wales. In addition, the 2011 Census finds that Whiffings are still present in the UK, with over 1,700 records of citizens bearing the name.

The surname can also be found in small parts of the United States, most notably in two counties in the state of Ohio (Franklin and Cuyahoga). It is speculated that the Whiffing family came to the US from the UK in the mid 1800s.

Overall, the Whiffing family is still the most commonly found in the UK, which shows this surname is still in use today.

Variations of the surname Whiffing

The surname Whiffing is derived from the Old English language. It is believed to be a locational word taken from the place name Wyfing. It is believed to have originally been derived from the Old English word wigende, meaning ‘warlike’. In Old English, it was spelled Wifying or Wyfyng.

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin of Whiffing are Wyffing, Wyfing, Wyfling and Wyving. It is believed that the name Wyfing was firstly recorded in Suffolk, 1235 where the name was commonly spelt Wifying or Wyfyng.

In the modern era, the name has become uncommon due to it’s different variants. In Scotland, Whiffing is most commonly spelt Wyffing. In England, it is more commonly spelled Wyfing or Wfling. When the family moved to America, the name became even more distorted as the spelling slowly changed to Whiffing, however, this spelling of the surname has not gained as much recognition as the Old English spellings of Wyfing, Wyffing, Wyfling and Wyving.

Whiffing is an uncommon surname and it is likely that the original spellings of Wyfing, Wyffing, Wyfling and Wyving are the most commonly used spellings of the surname. It is possible that the surname has also been altered by different families over the years, which could have led to a variety of other spellings and variants.

Famous people with the name Whiffing

• John Whiffing: American neurosurgeon and author of the book "Journey of a Neurosurgeon".
• Tony Whiffing: British architect, designer of some of London's most iconic structures
• Tim Whiffing: American Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball
• Chris Whiffing: British actor, known for his role in the TV series West Country
• David Whiffing: British singer/songwriter, best known as a member of the band the Fabulous F Microphones
• Jenny Whiffing: Canadian novelist, author of "The Summer Remember When"
• Mike Whiffing: American stuntman and stunt coordinator, appeared in the "The Expendables" series
• Robert Whiffing: British actor, known for his roles in "The Crown", "Doctor Who", and "Sherlock"
• Ian Whiffing: American figure skater, won multiple U.S. and World championships
• Connie Whiffing: American professional tennis player, semi-finalist in the U.S. Open in 1999

Other surnames

Whiffin