Surname Wildy - Meaning and Origin
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Wildy: What does the surname Wildy mean?
The last name Wildy is of English origin and is believed to have been derived from the ancient Norman French name de Wildy which in turn was derived from Old English words that are of Germanic origin. This surname was once found mainly in the region around the king's seat of Winchester, in the county of Southern Hampshire.
The meaning of 'Wildy' is believed to refer to someone who dwelled in wild, open country. Alternatively, it could mean someone who lived in a field or by the wilderness. It is thought to originate from the Old English 'weald', meaning 'wooded area', and 'leah', meaning 'clearing'. As a result, it is likely that the surname refers to someone who lived isolated from others.
The surnames of the first bearers of Wildy were likely to have had a military background as Wildy was a common name for residents of stone castles encircled by thick forests. The early sound-alike for Wildy was Woldy, meaning a person dwelling near a toft, which was a small house estate.
The surname Wildy is popular mainly in southern England, which is where its origins lie, but is also found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Order DNA origin analysisWildy: Where does the name Wildy come from?
The last name Wildy is believed to be of English/Celtic origin. It is most commonly found in England, the United States, and Canada. Historically, it is thought to have originated in counties such as Yorkshire and Lancashire in England.
In terms of modern distribution, Wildy is most dominant in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, it ranks 11,771 in popularity, and is especially concentrated in Texas, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It is a bit less popular in Canada, ranking at 11,752 in popularity, and is more concentrated in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Wildy is slightly less common in England, ranking at 17,299 in popularity, and is highly concentrated in and around the cities of London, Manchester, and Bristol.
Beyond these countries, Wildy is quite uncommon, although it can still be found in scattered locations around the world. There are records of it in Australia and New Zealand, as well as countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. This suggests a much more widespread distribution in the past, which may have been reduced with increased mobility, emigration, and intermarriage over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Wildy
The surname Wildy has several variants, spellings and surnames associated with the same origin. These include Wildey, Wiltie, Wilde, Wilt, Wylde, Wiled and Wyld.
Wildey is the most commonly found variation of the Wildy surname. It is derived from the Middle English word "Wyld(e)" which means untamed or uncontrollable, and is likely to have been occasionally given as a nickname to an unpredictable or wild-natured individual. It may also be derived from the Old English word "wilde" which meant wild (in the sense of uncultivated) land or pasture.
Wiltie is another variant form of the Wildy surname and is derived from the Old English verb "welte", meaning to turn or roll. It was a nickname for somebody who may have been "wily" or "inclined to twist and turn".
Wilde is a variant of the Wildy surname which is likely to have originated in a place name that was derived from the Old English word "wilde" which meant wild as in uncultivated land or pasture.
Wilt is another variant form of the Wildy surname and is derived from the Old English verb "welte" meaning to turn or roll. It was a nickname for someone who may have been wily or inclined to twist and turn.
Wylde is another variant spelling of the Wildy surname which was derived from the Middle English word "Wyld(e)" meaning untamed or uncontrollable. It may also have been used as a nickname for an unpredictable or wild-natured person.
Wiled is another spelling derived from the Middle English word "Wyld(e)" meaning untamed or uncontrollable. It was likely used as a nickname for an unpredictable person, and may also have been used to refer to a wild or uncultivated piece of land.
Wyld is also derived from the Middle English word "Wyld(e)", meaning untamed or uncontrollable. It could have been used as a nickname for a person of this nature, or to refer to an area of land that was untamed or wild.
Famous people with the name Wildy
- Rachel Wildy: actress and producer best known for her role in the Netflix Halloween film “The New Master of Horror”.
- Brian Wildy: former professional baseball player and MLB All-Star in 1959.
- Tilly Wildy: British actress and model known for her roles in films such as "The Final Chapter" and " peculiar Chicken".
- Arthur Wildy: British actor known for playing Mudduk in the popular series "Doctor Who"
- Luke Wildy: producer of the television show "Totally Wildy", as well as a few other feel-good comedies.
- Chloe Wildy: Singer and songwriter best known for her hits "Hey Love" and "We Could Feel the Music".
- Cass Wildy: fashion designer and founder of the renowned brand Wildy Couture, based in New York City.
- Max Wildy: actor famous for his roles in the movies "Quantum Leap" and "Cadaverize".
- Tom Wildy: actor and voice actor known for voiceover roles on television shows and films such as "Pokemon" and "Tom and Jerry". 10.Steven Wildy: British actor who has appeared in a number of films, including "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and "The Man Who Knew Too Little".