Surname Wiltshire - Meaning and Origin
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Wiltshire: What does the surname Wiltshire mean?
The last name Wiltshire is an English surname originating from the historic county of Wiltshire. It likely derives from a place name, either specifically from Wiltshire or from one of its constituent areas. The name of Wiltshire is thought to have derived from a combination of two words—“wilt” and “scir”—which first appeared in Old English documents and describe something to do with the local people.
The first recorded use of the surname Wiltshire was in a document from 1215, referring to one Richard de Wiltshire. Since then, it has been used to refer to people from the Wiltshire area or families with some connection to it.
The Wiltshire surname is likely to have wide ranging origins. The region of Wiltshire has been inhabited since Neolithic times, and the Romans were in the area from 43 AD. As a result, many of the families who saw Wiltshire as their home are likely to have had different origins—from both England and Europe.
While the name Wiltshire most likely indicates some level of connection to the historic county, the history of each individual family will be unique. To explore the origins of the surname further, researching the available records of historic Wiltshire and examining family trees and oral histories may provide more information.
Order DNA origin analysisWiltshire: Where does the name Wiltshire come from?
The last name Wiltshire is most commonly associated with the English county of the same name. Located in the South West of England, Wiltshire has a rich history that dates back to pre-Roman times and is the home of numerous heritage sites and ancient monuments. The county is known for its stunning countryside, with rolling hills and chalk downs, as well as its picturesque market towns and the World Heritage Site of Stonehenge.
The Wiltshire surname stems from the 10th century, when the county was part of the Kingdom of Wessex. It was initially used to identify people who lived in or around the county, but eventually evolved into a more widespread surname. Today, the Wiltshire surname is particularly common in the south-eastern and south-central regions of England, including London, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
In recent times, the surname has featured prominently in the entertainment industry, with British actors Rupert Everett and Bill Nighy both sharing the Wiltshire name. In addition, Charlotte Wiltshire, one of Britain’s leading landscape photographers, has also used the name to gain international recognition for her work.
Overall, the Wiltshire surname is a strong reminder of England’s rich history and is still prevalent in many parts of the country today.
Variations of the surname Wiltshire
The Wiltshire surname has numerous variants, spellings and derivatives from which it originated. Wiltshire is a locational surname, derived from places in England called Wiltshire. Wiltshire is an old English name made up of two elements: 'wilt' which refers to the river that ran through the area, and 'shyr', which is Old English for 'shire', meaning county or district.
The variant spellings of Wiltshire include Wilshire, Willshire, Wilcher, Wiltz, Weltz, Wheltsire, and Wildshire. The derivative surnames of Wiltshire include Wiltson, Wiltshireman, Wiltshee, Wilshier, Wiltshear, Wilshear, Wiltsha, Wilsharhew, and Willshireman.
Wiltshire is an Anglo-Saxon origin surname, likely referring to someone who came from the county of Wiltshire. People with this surname were likely merchants or landowners, as Wiltshire was an area of commercial trade. It is possible that the surname also originated with a person who lived on the Wiltshire estate, or with a person who worked a Wiltshire-owned business.
The Wiltshire surname has spread across England and many other countries over centuries. There are now hundreds of descendants of the original Wiltshire family throughout the world, with many variations of the name having evolved over time.
Famous people with the name Wiltshire
- Peter Wiltshire: Former Australian Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics.
- Lindsay Wiltshire: British composer known for creating soundtracks for a variety of films, television programmes, video games and theatre productions.
- Jackie Wiltshire: British race car driver who competed in the British Touring Car Championship.
- Connie Wiltshire: American anthropologist and professor at Columbia University.
- Lyndsay Wiltshire: British diplomat who served as British High Commissioner in India from 2010-13.
- Andy Wiltshire: American skateboarder and 2017 X Games gold medalist.
- Andy Wiltshire: American television personality, most known for hosting Ultimate Expedition.
- Robert Wiltshire: former British admiral commander of the Royal Navy Reserve.
- Bruce Wiltshire: Australian playwright best known for the dramas The Brothers Grimm, On the Beach and Superman.
- Steven Wiltshire: British artist known for his precise architectural panoramic drawings of urban landscapes.