Surname Wildey - Meaning and Origin
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Wildey: What does the surname Wildey mean?
The last name Wildey is of English origin and can be traced to the Wilfrid or Wilferd surname, derived from two Old English personal names, “Wilfheard” and “Wilferd”. The etymology of Wilfheard is uncertain but is likely to come from Germanic elements including the word for “will”, as well as “furh” meaning “wood” and “heard” meaning “hard”. Wilferd is believed to have derived from the elements “will” and “farth” meaning “journey”, thus "one who was an intrepid traveller".
The Wildey name is thought to have first been established in the county of Shropshire, near the Wales border. It is possible that members of the Wildey family lived there as early as the 12th century when William de Wilfrido was documented in the area. The Wildey name continued to be prominent in England up to the 19th century and is still present in various counties today.
The origin of the Wildey surname could be that of one who was brave and undertook hazardous journeys and adventures, possibly in service to some lord. They could also have been merchants, travelling from village to village, town to town and to nearby cities. It is likely that they enjoyed a degree of success and respect, due to their strong-willed nature and pioneering spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisWildey: Where does the name Wildey come from?
The last name Wildey is most commonly found in North America today. In the United States of America, the surname is particularly widespread in the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania, although it can be found throughout the country. In Canada, it is more common in the Atlantic provinces, primarily New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
In the United States, the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau recorded over 4,600 people with the surname Wildey. The United Kingdom also has a significant population of Wildeys. Their birthplace is not given on the census, however records indicated that 759 people were living in England and Wales at that time. In terms of its origin, the surname Wildey derives from a personal name, with the addition of the Old English suffix, "-ey". This suffix was often used to form a diminutive name, and is commonly found in Old English and Old Norse personal names.
Although its origin is disputed, the surname Wildey may derive from the Anglo-Saxon language. Its literal translation is "person from the weald", which is an Old English term referring to a particular type of forest. It is also possible that it may originate from the name of an old town or village. Many of the surnames which originated centuries ago in Europe have been carried by their descendants to many different countries around the world. Today, the last name Wildey is found all over North America, as well as in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Wildey
The surname Wildey has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including the following:
Wilder: Derived from the Middle English word "wilder" which means wild. It was a name given to people who live in the country and live close to nature.
Wildor: This is a variant spelling of the surname Wilder. It is most likely a regional variation of the surname.
Wyldor: Another variant spelling of the surname Wilder. It is thought to have been derived from an old English root word meaning “wild and daring”, and may have been a nickname for someone who was brave or daring.
Willder: This is also a variant spelling of the surname Wilder. It is likely derived from the old English word “willan” which means to choose.
Wylde: This is a variant spelling of the surname Wildey, derived from an old English root word meaning “wild”. It was probably a nickname for someone who was ferocious or wild in nature.
Wyllde: Another variant spelling of Wildey, derived from an old English root word meaning "wild". It was probably given to someone who had a wild and untamed nature.
Wildman: This is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word “wield” which means “wild”. It is likely a nickname for someone who was wild or uncivilized.
Wild: This is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the old English word “wilde” which means “wild”. It could have been given either as a description of a person’s character, or could have been inherited from a person who lived in a wild or untamed environment.
Wildoe: This is a variant spelling of Wildey and is likely derived from the old English root word meaning “wild”. It was probably a nickname for someone who was wild or fierce in nature.
Wildgoose: This is a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word “widelgeosu” which means “wild geese”. This was probably given to someone who lived near a large flock of wild geese or was known for hunting them.
Wildin: This is a variant spelling of Wildey and is derived from an old English root word meaning “wild”. It was probably a nickname for someone who had a wild and untamed nature.
Famous people with the name Wildey
- Robert Wildey: English actor, performed in Warner Bros. cartoon shorts in the 1940s
- Julian Wildey: South African actor, played Figaro the Cat in a 1954 animated TV series
- Pat Wildey: American writer and film producer, best known for the film Out of the Wild and The Kids Are All Right
- Jesse Wildey: American television actor, starred in the TV series Scrubs
- Will Wildey: English actor, acted in multiple films and TV series such as Coronation Street and Casualty
- George Wildey: English actor, appeared in comedies and westerns during the 1950s
- Chris Wildey: American soccer player, goalkeeper for clubs in the United States and Mexico
- Henry Wildey: English architect, designed several buildings in the late 19th and early 20th century
- William Wildey: American football player, spent 11 years in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots
- Albert Wildey: Australian cricketer, played most of his career in Australia