Surname Wilsheere - Meaning and Origin
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Wilsheere: What does the surname Wilsheere mean?
The last name Wilsheere is derived from the Old English elements wīg, meaning “warrior,” and herian, meaning “to honor, worship, or revere.” This suggests that the bearer was someone who had been held in high esteem in regards to their bravery or dedication to something.
The earliest recording of this surname is found in Devonshire, England in 1221, when a man named William Wygshall was listed as a witness in a legal document. The name was also localled spelled as Wilshall, Wyllishall, Wilsheere, and Willsheer.
Throughout the centuries, those bearing the last name Wilsheere have played important roles in the military and politics, and have held various positions within the higher echelons of society. Among them are notable academics, clergy, knights, pioneers, and statesmen.
The Wilsheere name has spread throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, and other parts of Europe. It is also found in the United States and Canada, due to immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. Those bearing the Wilsheere name today are diverse and unique, and are proud of their family name and of the legacy that comes with it.
Order DNA origin analysisWilsheere: Where does the name Wilsheere come from?
The surname Wilsheere is most common in England. The surname originated in Northumbria, a region in northern England, and is first recorded in the area in the early 14th century. Today, the surname is most commonly found in county Durham, Northumberland, and London.
In addition to England, many people with the surname Wilsheere can be found in the United States, Australia, and Canada. It is not as common in other countries, but it can be found in other states in the U.S. such as New York, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. It has also been spotted in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Utah.
The meaning of the surname Wilsheere is unclear, but some speculate that it may have been derived from a personal or toponymic name, such as Wilshire or Wiltshire. It is also possible that the name may have evolved from an Old English personal name, such as Wīgheard.
Wilsheere is currently a fairly uncommon name. Although it can be found in many parts of the world, the name is most concentrated in England and respective former British colonies, such as the United States and Australia.
Variations of the surname Wilsheere
The surname Wilsheere is generally accepted to be of English origin, although there are some records of it being of Germanic origin. Variants of the surname include Wilshere, Wilsher, Wilschere, Wilshier, and Wilsheir. It is also worth noting that a few different spellings, such as Wilsheres and Wilsherees, have been documented in certain regions of England.
The Wilshere/Wilsheere surname can be found in many different countries, though its highest incidence is still in Britain. In England, this surname is recorded as Wilshere in Lincolnshire, Wilshere in Devon, and Wilshere in Shropshire, among others. It should be noted that in these areas, there are also families with other similar surnames, such as Wilsher in Bedfordshire, Wilshere in Suffolk, Wilschere in Norfolk, Wilshier in Kent, and Wilsheir in Somerset.
The Wilsheere/Wilshere family are thought to be descendants of a Norman nobleman called Sir Willem de Wyzere, who held a feudal barony in the 11th century. It is believed that the family’s current surname was derived from the Old French phrase ‘ill wyzere’, which means ‘skillful adviser’ in English.
It is possible that the Wilsheere/Wilshere surname is also related to the Old Welsh name of Gwilym, which means ‘Lord Protector’ or ‘Guardian’ in English. Other potential branches of the same family may use the surnames Gwilym, Williams, Gwilliam, Wilkins, and even Wilson.
Given this range of spelling variants, it is likely that the Wilsheere/Wilshere surname has taken on various forms throughout the centuries. Consequently, any further research into one’s family history for this surname would be best served by examining the wider family tree for clues. To this end, researching church records or other relevant documents could possibly yield additional information.
Famous people with the name Wilsheere
- William Wilshire: British actor known for his appearances in films such as The Mummy Returns (2001), Layer Cake (2004), and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005).
- David Wilshire: British Member of Parliament from 1992 until he was kicked out due to an expenses scandal in 2010.
- Pearl Wilshere: British fashion designer and founder of the label BlueBelle Clothing.
- Stephen Wilshire: British architectural artist known for being able to draw complex buildings from memory.
- Steve Wilshire: British jazz bassist and founding member of the band Sugar beet.
- Petronella Wilshire: South African-born celebrity stylist and creative director of Inga Maud, her own fashion house for over 20 years.
- Sarah Wilshire: English playwright and theatre director who is presently artistic director of the Oxford Playhouse.
- Pam Wilshire: British soap opera writer most well known for her storylines in Eastenders and Brookside.
- Adrian Wilshire: New Zealand professional golfer who has competed in several professional golf tournaments since 2004.
- Roberta Wilshire: Canadian-born, award-winning filmmaker with several feature films to her name including "The Stones We Throw" (2014) and "Unforgotten" (2017).