Surname Wise - Meaning and Origin
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Wise: What does the surname Wise mean?
The last name Wise is a surname of English origin, meaning "one who is wise or displays good judgement". In some cases, the surname can be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "wis", meaning "wise". Wise is also a nickname in some cases, usually given to someone for having a reputation for good judgement, intelligence, or knowledge.
The first recorded usage of the Wise surname was in 1273 in England, and the popularity of the surname continued during the 19th century. During this time, many people migrated to other countries in search of new opportunities, and this is when the Wise surname spread to other parts of the world.
The Wise surname appears in many ancient documents, including the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk, which listed people from the county of Norfolk in England and dates back to the thirteenth century. In this listing, five people with the Wise surname were recorded as living in Norfolk. Some other notable figures with the Wise surname include Isaac Wise, a rabbi who was instrumental in the maintenance of American traditional Judaism, and Thomas J. Wise, an influential English bibliographer.
The Wise surname is fairly common in the United States, and is found in many states. It is also present in countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The Wise surname is a reminder of the wise judgement and intelligent individuals who have made great contributions in their respective fields over the years.
Order DNA origin analysisWise: Where does the name Wise come from?
The last name Wise is most commonly found throughout the United States of America, particularly in the Midwest, South, and Mid-Atlantic regions.
According to the US Census Bureau, the Wise surname is most prevalent in locations such as Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. As of 2020, the top five states with the highest population of the Wise surname are Illinois (27,642 people), Ohio (19,985 people), Texas (14,497 people), Virginia (14,309 people), and Pennsylvania (11,881 people).
Given the geographical landscape of the US, it makes sense that the Wise surname is concentrated around the Midwest and South states, as well as the Appalachians. This makes sense because families often migrate in large groups and stick to similar areas when they move.
When it comes to smaller areas, the Wise surname is also commonly found in various locales. Kentucky, for example, contains nearly 12,000 people with the Wise last name, with the most concentrated areas in the Knott, Letcher, and Perry counties. The Wise surname is also very popular in rural communities throughout the United Kingdom and Australia.
All in all, the Wise surname has stood the test of time and remains one of the more common last names in the United States and world today.
Variations of the surname Wise
Wise is an English, German, and Jewish surname derived from an occupation. In English it may refer to someone who was considered clever or knowledgeable. In Germany, it was most likely derived from the Middle High German wīsa meaning a judge or magistrate. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Wiese, Wiss, Weise, Wys, Wyse, Weis, Weyss, Weysser, Weiser, Weisz, Weies, Wyss, Weiss, Vise, Wyce, and Weish.
In England, Wise was an occupational name for someone who was a magistrate or an appointed guardian. In France, the name was deriived from the Old French adjective wise meaning wide. Early bearers of the family name in England were recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book. By the 13th century the Wise surname was prevalent in the Middle English village of Wiseshoe in Leicestershire.
In Germany, the Wise surname originated with medieval court officials and sheriffs who administered court affairs. It later underwent numerous spelling variations and was used by many separate familiesf throughout the German area. Records of the name appear on ministerial registers of the impoverished in Germany during the late 1700s and early 1800s.
The Wise surname was introduced to the United States by German and British settlers in the 17-18th centuries. Variants of this surname can still be found throughout the world today.
Famous people with the name Wise
- Stephen Wise: Rabbi, Zionist leader, author, and activist
- Russell Wise: American actor
- Earl Wise: American professional golfer
- Jeffrey Wise: American professor of Slavic Languages and Literature
- Jeff Wise: American writer and journalist
- Kurt Wise: American professor of science and geology
- Mason Wise: American professional basketball player
- Matthew Wise: British record producer
- Rick Wise: American former professional baseball pitcher
- Robert Wise: American film director, producer, and editor
- Steve Wise: American animal rights activist and attorney
- David Wise: American composer for television and films
- William Wise: British composer
- Chris Wise: British structural engineer
- Daniel Wise: American lawyer and author
- Jennifer Wise: American author of books and plays for young adults
- Les Wise: English former professional footballer
- Tom Wise: British former Member of the European Parliament