Surname Wilty - Meaning and Origin
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Wilty: What does the surname Wilty mean?
The last name Wilty is believed to have originated in England and is derived from the old english surname Wiltie. It is thought to be the combination of the words 'wil' meaning 'desire' or 'will' and 'ty' meaning 'option'. This combination was used to signify those with a strong will held a certain level of autonomy to carry out their own desires.
The name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086 and some people believe it is a variant of Wylie or Willie. The name is also popular in Scotland and could possibly be derived from the Pictish word ‘guilli’, meaning ‘determined’ or ‘unwavering’.
People holding this surname are thought to have a determined and strong willed nature, being responsible and reliable. They are usually self-sufficient and prefer to take control of situations. People with the name Wilty want to make a difference and can usually manage to do this thanks to their ambition and inner strength.
In modern times, the name Wilty has been shortened to other forms, including'Wilts' and 'Wilt'. This last name is still found frequently throughout England and the United States.
Order DNA origin analysisWilty: Where does the name Wilty come from?
The last name Wilty is most commonly found in the United States, although there are some instances outside of the U.S. Wilty comes from the German Wilte surname, derived from a variant of the given name Wilhelm. In the U.S., the highest concentrations of Wiltys are in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Arizona, and California. In Ohio, the highest rates of Wiltys are in major cities such as Cleveland, Youngstown, Cincinnati, and Akron. In Pennsylvania, most Wiltys reside in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. In New York, most are found around the Rochester and Albany areas. In Arizona, the majority of Wiltys are in Maricopa County, which encompasses the city of Phoenix. California has the highest number of Wiltys, with most concentrated in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.
In addition to U.S. locations, small numbers of Wiltys can be found in Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada, India, and Australia. The name is not particularly common in any one area, with many locations having fewer than 10 people with the last name.
Variations of the surname Wilty
The surname Wilty has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Wilty, Wilsie, Wiltie, Wiltsy, Welti, Welty, Welte, Weltey, Weltie, Wiltey, and Weltye.
The Anglo-Saxon origin of the surname Wilty dates back to fair England before the Norman Conquest in 1066, when the patronymic 'son-of-William' was replaced by hereditary surnames. Wilty derives from the Norman French given name Wilte, itself derived from the old Germanic personal name Wilte, composed of the elements 'wil', meaning 'will' and 'helm', meaning 'helmet', hence 'strong-willed'.
Wilty is a habitational surname, nicknamed after those who may have lived near a small stream known as a 'wilt'. Wiltie is also a habitational name from some place in Northumberland. In addition, many of the variations of the surname Wilty may have originally been regional or dialectal forms derived from wilt or wylt, meaning 'willow trees'.
The modern surnames Wilty, Wiltie, Weltie, Welty, Weltey, Wiltey, and Weltye are common in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and other parts of Europe. In Scotland, Wilsie is the most common spelling variant of the surname Wilty.
Famous people with the name Wilty
- Alan Wilty: British-American TV writer, producer, and playwright, known best for his work on Rome, The Game, and Lonny.
- Marm Wilty: Canadian artist and sculptor, who has been designing and creating public installations across Canada since the 1980s.
- Mike Wilty: Australian politician of the Liberal Party of Australia, from the state of Western Australia.
- Brad Wilty: American football player and NFL draft prospect in 2020.
- Charles Wilty: British marine artist and painter, who has worked with the Royal Navy since 1959.
- Johnathan Wilty: English rugby union player, who played for Leicester Tigers between 2002 and 2014.
- Chris Wilty: American actor, best known for his roles in the films Clerks II (2006) and Wreck-It Ralph (2012).
- Philip Wilty: English actor who starred in the West End musicals Guys and Dolls and Les Miserables.
- Randy Wilty: American sportscaster for Kansas City Chiefs Football Club, who currently broadcasts college football and basketball nationally.
- Steven Wilty: American stand-up comedian, actor, impressionist, and musician, whose comedy tours and specials have been seen by millions of fans worldwide.