Surname Wigenton - Meaning and Origin

Wigenton: What does the surname Wigenton mean?

The last name Wigenton is derived from a combination of two languages, German and English. It is a combination of two words, "wige" which is a German word meaning "willow tree," and "ton" which is an English word derived from the Old English word "tūn" which means "town," or "enclosed settlement."

Wigenton is thought to have secondarily derived from the individually named settlements known as wigs or wigtuns. These settlements were found in parts of England in the mid to late medieval period and were typically lands in a natural state of woodland, centered around a man-made defensive structure. These settlements were owned by a single individual, typically of noble birth, and these people adopted the name Wigenton as a symbolic representation of their lands.

In modern times the surname Wigenton is not associated with one family or one settlement, but is most widely found as an occupational surname, likely derived from the multiple individuals employed at these ancient settlements. It denotes someone who was associated with woodland management or who worked as a woodsman in some capacity.

The surname can also be found among families of English or German descent, who adopted it as the family name. These families likely adopted the surname either to symbolize their agrarian ancestry, or at the request of a noble benefactor. Those Wigentons who have adopted the name in modern times are likely completely unrelated to their medieval counterparts.

Wigenton: Where does the name Wigenton come from?

The last name Wigenton is most commonly found in England, the United States, and Australia. In the United States, the states with the highest number of Wigenton families living there are Kentucky, California, and Georgia. In the United Kingdom, the most common location to find a Wigenton family is London. Australia also has a higher than average number of families with this last name. Additionally, Wigenton can also be found in countries such as Jamaica, Canada, France, and Germany.

Wigenton roots can be traced back to England, due to a town with the same name located in North East Yorkshire. During the Norman Conquest in 1066, the town was given to Saxon Warlord Eadred Wigentone by William the Conqueror. The surname was later adopted by the people living in the town, and spread throughout Europe as people moved from one place to another in search of a better life.

Today, Wigenton is still used as a family name, albeit in much smaller numbers than in centuries past. It is found in foreign countries as well as in the countries mentioned previously. In addition to being a family name, Wigenton is also used as the name of a town located in Cumbria, North West England.

Variations of the surname Wigenton

The surname Wigenton is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name Wigon or Wigheard or the Old French name Wigeon. Variants of this surname include Wiginton, Wigginton, Wiggington, Wigatone, Wiggintone, Wiginton, Wiggintowne, Wigeton, Wiggletown, Wiggoner, and Wigginson.

Spellings of the surname Wigenton include Wigginton, Wiggington, Wigatone, Wiggintone, Wigintone, Wigintown, Wigletown, Wiggoner, Wigginson, Wigginton, and Wiginton.

Surnames that have been derived from the surname Wigenton include Wignall, Wigin, Wigmore, Wigman, Wigmore, and Wynning.

The surname Wigenton is found mainly in England, but it has also been found in Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United States. In England, the surname is most commonly found in the counties of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset, and Lincolnshire.

The earliest known ancestor of the surname Wigenton is William Wiginedon, who lived in Oxfordshire around 1166. Through the centuries, members of this family have held a variety of professions, from tradesmen and farmers to academics and military figures.

Famous people with the name Wigenton

• Daniel Wigenton (actor).
• Dominique Wigenton (artist).
• James Wigenton (singer).
• Joshua Wigenton (author).
• Rez Wigenton (musician).
• Mathew Wigenton (soccer player).
• Sherry Wigenton ( Miss America 1977 contestant).
• Lucinda Wigenton (nurse and midwife).
• Richard Wigenton (entrepreneur).
• Anthony Wigenton (athlete and coach).
• Laurence Wigenton (pilot).
• Jeff Wigenton (photographer).
• Humphrey Wigenton (scientist).
• Fraser Wigenton (musician).
• Madeline Wigenton (publisher).
• William Wigenton (dentist).
• Harriet Wigenton (calligrapher).
• Chloe Wigenton (committee member).
• Peter Wigenton (environmental engineer).
• Lydia Wigenton (civil rights leader).

Other surnames

Wigentone