Surname Wigington - Meaning and Origin
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Wigington: What does the surname Wigington mean?
The last name Wigington has Scottish-Gaelic origins and is thought to have evolved from the name "MacAindheagain." This is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of the father, in this case from the Gaelic "Mac Aindheagain," a personal byname thought to have been associated with the Norse-Viking leader Olaf. This Norse name is composed of two elements - ‘Oddr’ which is derived from the Viking element ‘odd’ for "point of a sword or weapon" and ‘frithr’ which means ‘peace’. This union of two elements connotes a meaning of ‘peaceful warrior’.
The Wigington family is thought to have first migrated to the British Isles in the 16th Century. It is suggested that the family originated in Uig, an area on the Isle of Skye in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Over time, the Wigington surname spread throughout England, eventually arriving in the United States as part of the wave of immigrants who traveled to the New World in pursuit of better opportunities. Today, the surname is well-represented across many states of America, highlighting its impact on the development of the nation.
The name ‘Wigington’ carries a rich history and deep roots in both the Old and the New Worlds. Its historical backdrop speaks of a proud and valiant past, from the Vikings of the British Isles to the immigrants of modern America. It is a name of distinction, reminiscent of an adventurous spirit, and ultimately a symbol of hope for the future.
Order DNA origin analysisWigington: Where does the name Wigington come from?
The last name Wigington is found mainly in the United States today, particularly in the South. It has concentric clusters in Alabama, with other smaller clusters seen in parts of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. It is also present in other American states, albeit rarely.
The Wigington surname is believed to have French regional origins from the Languedoc-Roussillon region, though this is debated. It is thought to have been introduced to the South by early settlers and was most likely used by some of the Huguenots who fled France during the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Wigington surname in the United States today dates back to at least the early 19th century, when many recorded bearers are found in areas where slavery was practiced. This is likely due to an owner registering slaves with the name Wigington. It's unclear how exactly slaves came to be named Wigington, however some suggest it could have been transferred through their owners.
In modern times, the Wigington surname continues to be fairly common in the southern states. In Alabama, it ranked 541 out of all surnames in 2018, marking it as the most common Wigington surname in the state. Outside of Alabama, the Wigington surname tends to be quite infrequent.
Variations of the surname Wigington
The surname Wigington is a variation of the patronymic surname Wiggington, which has its roots in the Old English name Wiggingtun, which is derived from the pre-7th century Wicca's estate or tun (settlement). According to the House of Names, variants of the surname Wigington include Wigington, Wiggingtoun, Wigstone, Wigten, Wickington, Wicketon, Wicktoun, Wicketon, Wicketown, Wigginton, and Wycketon.
The surname Wigington is highly localized, and is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland. According to An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names, in Scotland it is most prominent in Aberdeenshire, while in Ireland, it is most common in County Cork.
The various spellings of the surname can be found in different regions of the world. In Northern England, variants of the surname include Wiggington, Wicketon, Wicketon, Wigten, and Wicktoun. In Southern England, variants include Wigslon, Wigshoten, Wigington, Wigorston, and Wiggstone. In Central and Southwestern England, variants include Wickstone, Wickstone, Wicketon, and Wiggentun. In the United States, variants include Wigginton, Wycketon, and Wiegington.
Finally, there are numerous surname variants of Wigington, due to its regionalisation, including Wiggon, Wigin, Wyginton, Wykton, Wigitin, Wykiton, Wigittin, Wyginton, Wykinton, and Wykeaton.
Famous people with the name Wigington
- Rayna Wigington, a famous artist and black female leader.
- Jack Wigington, an American football player.
- David Wigington, an award-winning Film and Television Composer.
- Anderson Wigington, a jazz and soul vocalist.
- Taniesha Wigington, a celebrated actress.
- Paul Wigington, a former Member of Parliament.
- Terren Wigington, a record producer and musician.
- Frank Wigington, a U.S. Army General.
- Stephen Wigington, an English cricketer.
- Rakisha Wigington, a singer, songwriter and theatre actor.