Surname Wight - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wight: What does the surname Wight mean?
The last name Wight is of Anglo-Saxon origins and is found mainly in the British Isles. It is believed to be a nickname derived from the Old English word "wiht" which means an individual of some importance or a person of influence. The word is closely associated with the English language - specifically the Old English - and was likely given to someone of power and respect.
The Wights have a long known history in the UK, traceable back to ancient times. They were likely considered to be a powerful and respected family, given their association with the Old English word. They were also known to travel quite a bit and were known to have settled in different areas of England throughout the ages.
Overall, the Wight family name has a strong association with the Anglo-Saxons and is likely linked to a feeling of influence and power. While the exact specifics of their origins may never be known, the Wight's have a strong legacy as a respected and influential family in the British Isles.
Order DNA origin analysisWight: Where does the name Wight come from?
The last name Wight is most commonly associated with the Isle of Wight in England. This small island resides off the southern coast of England, and in its population lies a high concentration of Wight surname holders. Records indicate that the first recorded use of the surname was by Guthlac Wight in 1166, and given its strong historical presence on the Isle of Wight, it is likely that many of these holders are descendants of this individual.
In more recent years, however, the reach of the Wight surname has spread far beyond the bounds of the Isle, and its presence is now seen throughout the United Kingdom. During the 19th century, the industrial revolution saw an increase in population movement, and this was further accelerated during the 20th century with the advent of travel technology. This saw a surge in Wight name holders settling across the UK, and it is now .
Today, the name is much more widely seen, with a high concentration in England, Scotland, and parts of central Europe. It can be seen as a highly popular name, appearing in the top 1000 most common surnames for the UK, and figures indicate that there are over 28,000 bearers of the name living in the UK today. Furthermore, variations of the family name such as Wite and Wyght are also concentrated mainly in the UK, thereby indicating the ongoing presence of the Wight name in British culture.
Variations of the surname Wight
The surname Wight is derived from a term of Old English origin meaning ‘person from the island’ and is largely found in England and Scotland. There are a variety of variants and spellings, as well as several surnames of the same origin.
The most common variations of the surname Wight include Wite, White, Wold, Wolt, Whight, Wheit, Wiet and Wyte. Each of these spellings have the same meaning and origin, but may have been used by families from separate locations or time periods.
Surnames that are of the same origin as the surname Wight include Wait, Waite, Wightman, Whyte, Wigman and Weyte. These surnames are closely related to the surname Wight, but may have been derived from different geographical locations.
The spelling of the surname can often change over time, depending on the country of origin. In some Scotland-based families, for example, Wight may have been spelled as Weit or Weyt. Similarly, in Wales it may be found as Wite or Wyte.
In the United States, the surname Wight is often found as Wite due to immigration and variations in pronunciation. It is also sometimes found as White, Wightman or Whyte depending on the family’s origins.
Overall, the surname Wight is derived from Old English and largely found in England and Scotland. There are a variety of variants and spellings of Wight, as well as several surnames of the same origin, including Wait, Waite, Wightman, Whyte, Wigman and Weyte.
Famous people with the name Wight
- Rob Wight: an American cartoon animator, director, and creative director.
- David Wight: an American period instruments organist, harpsichordist, musicologist, and arranger.
- Jesse Wight: a former professional American volleyball player.
- Pete Wight: an English professional football player.
- Sam Wight: an American retired professional basketball player.
- William Wight: a retired American professional basketball player.
- moe. Wight: a founding member and leader of the American progressive rock band moe.
- Gary Wight: a stage director and producer from the Wellington region in New Zealand.
- Peta Wight: an Australian television presenter, model, actress and journalist.
- John Wight: an English professional wrestling writer and sports manager.