Surname Wiltsheare - Meaning and Origin

Wiltsheare: What does the surname Wiltsheare mean?

The surname Wiltsheare is an English patronymic surname derived from the Middle English personal name 'Wiltshier'. This personal name is believed to be of Old English origin and derived from the elements 'wil', meaning 'desire', and 'hierde', meaning 'shepherd'. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was a shepherd who demonstrated a strong desire for his duty.

The earliest mention of this surname was recorded in Wiltshire, England in 1319 when one John Wiltshier was recorded as living there. This geographical distribution suggests that the surname Wiltsheare was originated in this region and that early bearers of the name lived there.

Over time, variants of the name also appeared, possibly as a result of spelling errors when the name was recorded during the Middle Ages. Variants include Wilteshur, Wiltsher, Wiltshire and Wiltshair.

Today, Wiltsheare is still a popular surname in England. It is associated with Wiltshire, where the original bearers of the name first settled several centuries ago.

Wiltsheare: Where does the name Wiltsheare come from?

The last name Wiltsheare is a surname of English origin, most likely coming from the county of Wiltshire; this is the general assumption as the name appears to share the same origin as Wiltshire, which is one of the most historic counties of England. It has been suggested that the name is derived from the Old English words for compassionate, "wilt san" and shire.

The surname is most commonly found in the south of England, particularly in Wiltshire, Somerset and Devon. However, variations of Wiltsheare can also be found around the world in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

In the United States, the Wiltsheare surname is most common in the states of Texas, Alabama, Colorado and Pennsylvania. Wiltsheare can also be found in Australia, particularly in the state of Queensland and the Northern Territory.

In Canada, Wiltsheare can be found in New Brunswick, British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia. There is a notable concentration of Wiltsheare individuals in the Maritimes, although some also reside in Manitoba.

Finally, the surname is particularly prevalent in New Zealand, particularly in Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury.

All in all, people bearing the surname Wiltsheare can be found around the world in many different countries, though its most common place of origin remains within England, specifically Wiltshire.

Variations of the surname Wiltsheare

Wiltsheare is an English surname derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal name Willt or Wilt, which is thought to be a pet form of William. The spelling Wiltshear, Willtshear and Wiltsheer have all been recorded, and the surname may have been rendered Wiltshier in some instances. Other variants include Wilshire, Wilshere, Wilsher, Wilcher, Wiltzer, and Wiltshire.

The Wiltshire and Wiltsheare variants are thought to have originated in the county of Wiltshire, which itself was named after the Anglo-Saxon name Willt. The Wilcher variant is believed to have been adopted in some cases as a result of the pronunciation of Wilts or Wiltz, while the Wilshere variant likely originated in Oxfordshire, the ancestral home of many people bearing this surname.

The surname is recorded throughout the UK, with several hundred families bearing the surname currently living in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. It is also present in the United States, where the spelling Wiltz or Wilts is most commonly used. The name is also used in Australia, where some families with the Wiltsheare name migrated during the 19th century.

In conclusion, Wiltsheare is an old Anglo-Saxon surname with several variants, spellings and derivatives, all of which stem from the same original name. Common variants of the surname include Wiltshear, Willtshear, Wiltsheer, Wilshire, Wilshere, Wilsher, Wilcher, Wiltzer, and Wiltshire. It is present throughout the UK, the United States and Australia.

Famous people with the name Wiltsheare

• John Wiltshear: British actor best known for his roles in the Doctor Who series and the Wallace and Gromit animations.
• George Wiltshear: American poet and novelist, famous for his works The House of the Seven Gables and The Scarlet Letter.
• Mark Wiltshear: British painter and installation artist.
• Stephen Wiltshear: Canadian singer/songwriter, and frontman of the rock band Sloan.
• Sir Edward Wiltshear: British aristocrat and officeholder, best known for his tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804.
• Joseph Wiltshear: American stockbroker and investor, best known as the founder of the Wiltshear Investment Group.
• Raymond Wiltshear: American actor and comedian, best known for his role as the voice of Louis Schenk in the hit animated series The Simpsons.
• Alice Wiltshear: British fashion designer and entrepreneur, best known for dressing celebrities and introducing the "wiltshear" line of clothing.
• Samuel Wiltshear: American army officer and lawyer, best known for his tenure as a judge for the United States criminal court.
• Jane Wiltshear: British author and illustrator, best known for her work on children's books.

Other surnames

Wiltshear