Surname Wiltsey - Meaning and Origin
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Wiltsey: What does the surname Wiltsey mean?
The last name Wiltsey is of English origin and is derived from either the Old English name Wiltshire or the Middle English name Wilkes. The first element of the name is derived from the Old English personal name Wilte, meaning 'willed.' The second element was originally from the Old English word 'eg', meaning 'forest' or 'island', or the Middle English word 'el', meaning 'hill'.
This is an occupational last name that was traditionally used to refer to someone who owned or lived in a plot of land associated with the Wilte/Wilkes family. Alternatively, it may refer to someone who lived or worked in the area of Wiltshire, a county in the south of England. It was also a popular last name among people who moved to new cities during the Industrial Revolution.
The Wiltseys of today are typically hard-working, family-oriented people who take great pride in their heritage. They are often driven in their chosen field and have a keen sense of justice. They may be found working in a variety of professions, ranging from business to arts and science to engineering. No matter what their pursuits may be, the Wiltseys are proud of their collective heritage and persist in making their mark in the world.
Order DNA origin analysisWiltsey: Where does the name Wiltsey come from?
The last name Wiltsey is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwestern states. It is estimated that there are approximately 5,300 individuals with the last name Wiltsey living in the United States, with the most prevalent concentration of individuals found in Utah. Wiltsey is also found with relatively high frequency in certain states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Idaho, and Indiana. As the last name is of English origin, there are still a notable number of individuals living in England who bear the name.
Overall, Wiltsey is considered a relatively rare last name. There are some communities around the world that bear the name, such as a small Amish settlement in southwestern Michigan. However, individuals with this last name are largely scattered throughout the United States and England.
Given the migration patterns of the family name, it is not likely that the name will become notably more common in the near future. As a result, the last name Wiltsey will likely remain an uncommon one, yet still well-known in certain areas.
Variations of the surname Wiltsey
The surname Wiltsey has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Wilsey, Wilsie, Wilcey, Wylcey, and Wilkie. All of these surnames are derived from a similar origin, which is believed to come from a Middle English personal name, Wiltset, meaning ‘strong, willing, determined’.
The Middle English personal name Wiltset likely evolved from the Old English pre-7th century personal name Wiltset or Wiltsaet, which is thought to have come from the Old English words ‘will’ or ‘wil’, meaning ‘will, determination’, and ‘sad’, meaning ‘well-grounded, solid, settled’. It is thought that the surname Wiltsey originated as a patronymic, which describes the name of a person derived from his or her father’s given name.
The surname Wilsey is another variant of the surname Wiltsey. It is likely derived from the Middle English and Old English word ‘wilse’, which is thought to have meant ‘show, display’. The variant spelling of Wilsie is also believed to have been derived from the Middle English word ‘wilse’, as well as the Old English word ‘wilsa’, which is thought to have meant ‘will’ or ‘determination’.
The variant spelling of Wylcey is believed to originate from a version of the Middle English name Willsa, which is a diminutive form of Wiltset or Wiltsaet. The final variant spelling of Wilkie is likely derived from the Gaelic name Mac Uilleig, which means ‘son of the well-born one’. All of these variant spellings of the surname Wiltsey have similar origins and meanings, and ultimately describe someone who is strong, determined, and well-grounded.
Famous people with the name Wiltsey
- Jeffrey Wiltsey: Former news anchor for the FOX affiliate in San Diego
- Regan Wiltsey: American soccer player
- Jim Wiltsey: Former professional American football running back
- Alice M Wiltsey: American sculptor at Unmasked Society
- John Emil Wiltsey: United States Navy Captain
- Harold Wiltsey: British-American stage, screen, and television actor
- Iris Wiltsey: American figure skater
- Chelsea Wiltsey: American soccer player and coach
- JW Wiltsey: Executive Chairman of Wyvern Group
- Nancy Wiltsey: Former Alabama state representative
- Kenneth Wiltsey: An American civil engineer, professor and graduate student advisor
- Jack Wiltsey: American retired professional basketball player
- John Wiltsey: American television journalist during the 1950s
- Dub Wiltsey: Retired employee and Elder at the Shioktubb Church
- Carolyn Wiltsey: British-American actress and production assistant