Surname Wilsheire - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wilsheire: What does the surname Wilsheire mean?
The last name Wilsheire is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words wilig meaning "willow" and haer meaning "wood". This suggests a place or landscape that is associated with a grove of willow trees. It is likely that the family who first bore this surname lived near a wood of willow trees.
In the Middle Ages, a shift in last names began to take place, driven by the progression of feudalism and the emergence of the merchant classes. Surnames were adopted to provide a marker for the “occupation” of individuals. Hence, one could assume that the original bearers of this surname may have been associated in some way with the gathering or the sale of willow wood or its related products. In addition, the surname likely indicated the rights or privileges of a family with access to willow wood on certain lands.
The surname Wilsheire may also have originally been referring to a family that was known for their skill in the craft of basket weaving or other uses of willow wood. Place names such as Wiltshire and Wyre Forest in England indicate past popularity of the willow's wood products.
Overall, the surname Wilsheire indicates an occupational history associated with willow trees and likely refers to an ancient family that was connected with its wood products. It may have initially referred to a family of skilled artisans possessing the right to specific lands for the purpose of gathering the product.
Order DNA origin analysisWilsheire: Where does the name Wilsheire come from?
The last name Wilsheire is most commonly associated with England, where the majority of people with the surname can be found today. It is believed to have originated from a place name in the county of Essex, and then spread to the rest of the country.
In the English towns of London, Birmingham, and Manchester, people with the last name Wilsheire can be found in large numbers. The last name is also not uncommon in northeast England, particularly in the areas of Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland.
Additionally, Wilsheire is a common surname in Australia, where many descendents of English immigrants have made their homes. The last name is particularly found in major cities of Sydney and Melbourne, where much of the Australian population resides.
It is also possible to find people with the last name Wilsheire in the United States, New Zealand, Canada, and other countries around the world. In the U.S., members of the family are mostly concentrated in the states of California, Florida, and New York.
In each place, members of the Wilsheire family can trace their roots back to the original place name in Essex, England. Despite centuries of travel and relocation, the last name still survives and is widely represented in many parts of the world today.
Variations of the surname Wilsheire
The surname Wilsheire can be spelled in several different ways, including Wilsheer, Wilshear, Wilshere, even Wíllsher, Willsher and Willshire. All these variations are thought to have the same origins.
It is believed that the surname Wilsheire was derived from Old English or Anglo-Saxon roots. Its etymological meaning is thought to be 'of the willow trees', as the Old English word for 'willow' is wilig. Thus, the name Wilsheire may have been originally given to a family who owned farmland or settlement near a large willow tree.
The surname has also been found in various parts of England, Scotland and Ireland. In Ireland, the name Wilsheire has been recorded in the form Wileshiere, Willshere, Wilshire. In Scotland, the spellings Willshere, Willsheer and Willshire have occasionally been recorded, while in England, variants such as Wilshawe, Wilchers, Wilcherson and Wilchurst have been noted in documents.
All of these spellings are variations of the original surname Wilsheire, meaning—from an Old English standpoint—"of the willow trees". In addition, some other surnames, such as Wilshire, has been derived from the Wilsheire surname by adding a suffix ‘shir’ which further specifies the origin of a family and their migration along the tree line.
Famous people with the name Wilsheire
- Michael Wilshire: British actor, writer, and director who has starred in musicals such as The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, The Rocky Horror Show, and more.
- Chris Wilshire: American professional basketball player who played for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs from 2003–2006.
- Richard Wilshire: English abstract painter and fine art printmaker.
- Jonty Wilshire: English world champion windsurfer who won the IFCA Youth World Championships in 2010.
- Stewart Wilshire: English-born Australian politician who has served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Rose Wilshire: English fashion designer and former bridalwear fashion designer for the royal family.
- Lewis Wilshire: English footballer who has played for several teams in the Football League including Sheffield United, Gillingham, and Milton Keynes Dons.
- Matt Wilshire: English musician, singer/songwriter, and producer who is best known as the lead singer of the (now disbanded) band The Firestone Project.
- Stephen Wilshire: British architectural artist known for his chalk pastel drawings of cities from memory.
- Fanny Wilshire: American philanthropist, socialite, and early suffragette in the early twentieth century.