Surname Wiffin - Meaning and Origin

Wiffin: What does the surname Wiffin mean?

The surname Wiffin is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a place name. It was originally a locational name meaning 'someone from Wiffin' or a variant thereof.

The place name Wiffin is believed to come from the Old English words wig, meaning a 'war', and fin, meaning 'fringe'. Therefore, Wiffin could literally mean 'a war-like fringe', referring to a border or settlement at a frontier of a nation or state.

The surname is first found in Norfolk in the mid 13th century, and it is likely that the first people to take this surname are descended from a family who lived in or near Wiffin. Over time, the spelling of the surname evolved, with some Anglicised versions of the name including Wiffen, Wiffon, Wyfon, and Wiffin.

Wiffin is a relatively rare surname and people with this surname can be found mainly in the same geographical area of England. However, the name can be found spread across Europe where people emigrated in the 19th century in search of a better life.

The Wiffin family name has made significant contributions to local politics and business over the generations, and today still retain a spirit of independence and determination that reflects their proud heritage.

Wiffin: Where does the name Wiffin come from?

The last name Wiffin is relatively uncommon today, with the largest concentrations of individuals with the surname living in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, Wiffin is most commonly found in the states of Kentucky and Ohio. Kentucky is home to a much larger concentration of individuals with the last name, with over 1,500 people spread throughout the state. In the UK, Wiffin is found mostly in the south of England, centering around London. There are currently around 450 people with the name living in the UK, with concentrations found in London, Essex, Hampshire, and West Sussex.

While the Wiffin surname is much more common in the UK and the US, there are individuals with the name living in other parts of the world as well. Small pockets of individuals with the surname are found in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and other countries. In total, there are around 3,500 people around the globe with the last name Wiffin today.

Variations of the surname Wiffin

The surname Wiffin is thought to be of English origin and first appears in records in the 14th century when it is found in the form Wyffyn, Wyfen, Wyfayn, Wyffan, and Wiffen. It is a diminutive form of the Middle English name Wif, which is itself derived from the Old English word 'wif' meaning ‘woman’ or ‘wife’. Later variants of the Wiffin name include Wifen, Wiffan, Wiffen, Wyffan, Wyffen, Wyffin, Wyffen, Wyffyn and Wyffynn.

The Wiffin surname is common in Leicester and Leicestershire, England, although variants are found in other parts of Britain, as well as internationally. The earliest recorded spelling of the family name is Wyffan, which appears in the Court Rolls of Leicester in 1327. There are also records of the Wiffin family name in Somerset, going back to the 16th century.

Among the other surnames of a similar origin are Wifkin, Wiffon, Wywdell, and Weaving. A variant of the name, Wiffen, is common in Ireland and appears in a number of records from the 15th and 16th centuries. Other variants include Wiffering, Wifford, Wyffels, Wiffles, Wiffsles, Wyffells, and Wyviles.

It is also possible that some versions of the Wiffin name have evolved into modern spellings such as Wiffin, Wiffing, Wiffin, and Wiffens. Many members of the Wiffin family today have adopted more modernized spellings, such as Wiffin, Wiffin and Wiffen.

Famous people with the name Wiffin

• Josh Wiffin: Actor known for The Man from Earth: Holocene, A Game of Cat & Mouse, and Albert.
• Lauren Wiffin: Singer, songwriter and musician from Norfolk, England.
• Sara Wiffin: British Olympic swimmer who competed at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 summer games.
• Eileen Wiffin- Wilkinson: British track and field champion in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x100 metres relay.
• Mark Wiffin: British footballer who represented England in the 1984 UEFA European Championships.
• Luke Wiffin: English professional cricketer who represented Yorkshire and Durham.
• Terrence Wiffin: Professional boxer and British champion in the light heavyweight division.
• Pierce Wiffin: Award-winning chef, restaurateur and television personality.
• Will Wiffin: Comedian who has released several solo shows and is well-known for his appearances on television and radio.
• Robert Wiffin: American painter and sculptor best known for his classical figurative oil paintings.

Other surnames

Wiffing