Surname Wickersham - Meaning and Origin

Wickersham: What does the surname Wickersham mean?

The last name Wickersham is a place-based name originating from regions of North West England where the Vikings once settled. It's ultimately derived from the Old Norse personal name Víkingr-hamarr, which meant "cliff of the Viking (or pirate)," and referred to a Viking dwelling built on a steep bank or hill.

The Wickershams were known to be a seafaring people who had settlers far and wide. Over the centuries, the family spread to America and other regions of the world. Currently, Wickersham can be found in areas such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Australia.

In the United States, the Wickershams have managed to establish a powerful and varied presence in both politics and business with many important family members holding prestigious positions throughout the years. Historians also place the Wickershams among the earliest entrepreneurs, and numerous Wickersham farms have been registered across the U.S., testifying to this centuries-old tradition.

To this day, the Wickershams remain a diverse and influential family, with each generation passing on the values of hard work, community, and entrepreneurial spirit that has been embedded in them for so long. Through loyalty to family, culture and country, the name Wickersham continues to be a notable one.

Wickersham: Where does the name Wickersham come from?

The last name Wickersham is most common in the United States, primarily concentrated in large parts of the East and Midwest. Unsurprisingly, given its English origins, the majority of those with the last name Wickersham are found in Pennsylvania, likely descended from German immigrants who settled around Philadelphia during the 1600s and 1700s.

Other states with sizable Wickersham populations include New York, Virginia, Ohio, and West Virginia. This demonstrates that the family name has traveled far and wide from its European roots, enabling Americanized families in present day to trace their ancestry right back to families who arrived over three centuries ago.

In terms of current numbers, currently around 10,000 individuals living in the US today boast the last name Wickersham. While concentrations vary from location to location, the trend seems to be towards larger numbers located in the East and Midwest.

It is important to note, however, that you’ll find people bearing Wickersham surname scattered across all US states, speaking both English and second or third language. This suggests that the name has taken on many forms and meanings as it has been passed down through the generations, ultimately coming to represent individuals from varied backgrounds and cultures.

Variations of the surname Wickersham

The surname Wickersham is of English origin and can be found across the languages of Europe. Variants of this name include Wickers, Wickerson, Wickerson, Wickes, Wickerson, Wickerson, Wyckerson, and Wickson. The name is also spelled Wickerham, Wickherham, Wyckesham, and Wyscham.

In Scandinavia, the name is spelled Wickström and there is a German variant, Wicherschmidt. In some cases, the letter 'e' may be interchanged with an 'a'. In Spanish, the surname can be spelled Wickersham or Wickirsham. In Portuguese, it may be Wickershim.

In some cases, the 'r' of Wickerson may be replaced with an 'h' for Wickherson. The name may also be found as Wickershampton, which is the combination of Wickersham and the location of 'ton' or a 'town'. Depending on the region, the Trogubovskaya family of Ukraine may also bear a version of the surname. Other surnames of the same origin may include Ringsham, Wingersham, and Winkersham.

Wickersham is a fairly common surname which has evolved over time across many cultures and languages. As with many family names, slight variations exist, though the origin remains the same.

Famous people with the name Wickersham

• George W. Wickersham: George W. Wickersham was an attorney, public official, and presidential advisor in America who served as a member of President Taft's cabinet.
• Dexie Wickersham: Dexie Wickersham is an American professional bull rider.
• John J. Wickersham: John J. Wickersham was an American Republican Party politician who served as the first governor of Alaska Territory upon its organization in 1912.
• Kenneth Wickersham: Kenneth Wickersham was an American football and basketball player, as well as a coach in the early 1900s.
• Joseph P. Wickersham: Joseph P. Wickersham was an American lawyer and judge who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
• Jo Wickersham: Jo Wickersham is an American actress and director who has appeared in numerous television series and films.
• Scott Wickersham: Scott Wickersham is a former professional football player who played in the NFL as a defensive back for the Denver Broncos.
• Frank E. Wickersham: Frank E. Wickersham was an American soldier and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II.
• Thomas Wickersham: Thomas Wickersham was an American penal reformer in the late 19th century and early 20th century and served as commissioner of the United States Bureau of Prisons from 1911 to 1921.
• James Wickersham: James Wickersham was a pioneering Alaskan judge and politician in the late 19th and early 20th century. He is also remembered as the author of "Old Yukon," one of the great pioneer biographies of the Pacific Northwest.

Other surnames

WickersWickersheimWickersheimer