Surname Wiginton - Meaning and Origin
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Wiginton: What does the surname Wiginton mean?
The last name Wiginton is of English origin and is believed to have derived from a place name in Derbyshire, England. This place name was recorded as “Wygenton” in the Domesday Book of 1086. The word “Wyg” is an Old English term derived from the Proto-Germanic word “wig”, meaning “forest” or “battle”. The second part of the name “ton” is derived from the Old English “tun”, referring to a settlement or village. Hence, it is thought that the last name Wiginton carries with it the meaning of “forest settlement” or “battle settlement”.
The Wiginton family is believed to have originated in Derbyshire and to have spread to other areas of England during the medieval period. Some members of this family migrated to America during the 18th and 19th century.
The Wiginton surname has been found all over the English speaking world, suggesting that its original bearers had a widespread influence. Today, there are many people who bear this name, and its unique origin and meaning make it a particularly interesting surname to trace.
Order DNA origin analysisWiginton: Where does the name Wiginton come from?
The last name Wiginton is most common in the southern United States. It is particularly prevalent in Mississippi and Alabama. In those states, it is among the 100 most common surnames. The Wigintons of the South are most likely descendants of immigrants from England, who likely arrived in the American colonies in the 1600s and 1700s.
The Wiginton surname has spread throughout the United States in the past century, supported by immigration and a population boom. It is now found in nearly every state. But if you want to find the largest concentrations of that surname, you'll still want to look to the South. Texas, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee all have high numbers of Wigintons.
Tracing the origins of the Wiginton name back in time is complicated. English records from the period have been lost, so there's no clear answer for where the first Wigintons in America came from.
What we do know is that the Wiginton family tree is expansive and varied. There is no single Wiginton identity; the name has been embraced and celebrated in many different ways. Family ties still bind the descendants of these Southern immigrants, and their common heritage is kept alive in their traditions, beliefs, and names.
Variations of the surname Wiginton
Wiginton is an English surname that has a number of variants, including Wigginton, Wyginton, Wynnynton, Wigneton, Wignetone and Winton. It is believed that the name derives from an Old English place name consistent with a town in the county of Northamptonshire.
The spelling variations of this name are due to the fact that the English language has developed over time and different forms of the same name have arisen. It is also likely that the spelling variations have developed due to individuals making mistakes when recording the name or by simply using their own preference for how it should be spelt.
Due to the large number of migrants between England and other countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, many individuals with the surname Wiginton have moved to these countries throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition, due to widespread emigration during the same period, the name has also taken on various forms in other languages, such as Wigintona in Spanish, and Wygintona in Polish.
This surname has a number of common nicknames, including Gig, Ginton and Gintoner. As many of these nicknames are more descriptive in nature, they are not usually considered variants of the surname Wiginton. Furthermore, in some families the name has been shortened to Win, or Wig, which is believed to have arisen due to the large number of occurrence of the surname in the region.
As a result, the same surname can have a large number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, in addition to a number of common nicknames that have developed over time.
Famous people with the name Wiginton
- Lee Wiginton: Lee Wiginton is a retired American basketball player. He played college basketball at Clemson University from 1977 to 1981 and professionally for seven seasons in the NBA and ABA leagues.
- Trey Wiginton: Trey Wiginton is an American television writer best known for his work on shows like Will & Grace, Spin City, The Drew Carey Show, and The King of Queens.
- Rick Wiginton: Rick Wiginton is an American entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Wiginton Properties, a real estate development and management firm in South Carolina.
- Derrick Wiginton: Derrick Wiginton is a former NFL safety who played college football at UTEP.
- Amber Wiginton: Amber Wiginton is a former basketball player who played college basketball for the University of Alabama.
- Renee Wiginton- Renee Wiginton is a former softball player who played college softball at the University of North Carolina Charlotte.
- Zach Wiginton: Zach Wiginton is an independent filmmaker and photographer based in Austin, Texas.
- Brad Wiginton: Brad Wiginton is a former minor league pitcher who spent eight seasons in the Baltimore Orioles baseball organization.
- Philip Wiginton: Philip Wiginton is an American composer, producer, and songwriter best known for producing and writing music on numerous gold and platinum records.
- Ethan Wiginton: Ethan Wiginton is an American voice actor best known for his portrayal of Fred in the animated series Courage the Cowardly Dog.