Surname Witton - Meaning and Origin
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Witton: What does the surname Witton mean?
The last name 'Witton' is believed to be of English origin, and is derived from the Old English word 'witan', which means counsel or wisdom. It is believed to be a habitational name, taken from the place called Witton, in Lancashire, England. This place name is derived from the Old English words 'wice' which means dwelling, and 'ton' which means settlement.
The first recorded spelling of the name is believed to be in 1285 when Richard de Wytton was noted in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in England. In 1649, Roger Wighton was a witness in St. Faiths Church, and in 1668, Edward Witton was christened in St. Olave Southwark church, London.
The Witton surname is not common today, and can still be found in its original locations in Lancashire, where the name is most numerous. It is also found in North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire in England. It may also have spread to nearby areas of Ireland.
Despite its limited presence, the surname has been adopted around the world, with people in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries with a significant British population, having taken the name with them as they emigrated or relocated.
In essence, the Witton surname symbolises wisdom, counsel, and comfort, making it a unique and respected part of European family history.
Order DNA origin analysisWitton: Where does the name Witton come from?
The last name Witton is most commonly found in areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland, such as England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. According to the Forebears website, in England there are approximately 795 individuals with the Witton surname in 2020, 243 of which are located in the Lancashire county of northern England. Scotland also has a relatively high number of people with the Witton last name, with 357 individuals counted in 2020. Wales has the lowest number of people with Witton as their surname, with only 62 individuals counted.
Outside of the British Isles, the Witton surname can also be found in Australia and New Zealand, where it was carried by immigrants mainly from the United Kingdom. It can also be found in some other European countries, most notably France, where it is sometimes spelled "Vitton".
It is possible to trace your family history with the Witton surname all the way back to the 12th century in England. In those times, it was spelled "Wudetone", and referred to someone who lived in or near a "woody homestead". Most individuals with the Witton surname are thought to have descended from one of several different Witton families, which probably originated from different locations in northern England and Scotland.
Variations of the surname Witton
The surname Witton has many variants, spellings, and even surnames of the same origin. The most basic spelling of the name is Witton, though other variations include Wytton, Witten, Wittenham, and Wyttonham. Other variants include Whitton, Whitten, Whittenham, and Whiton.
In many parts of the world, other spellings of Witton, such as Wytton and Whitton, are more common. In the United Kingdom, Whitten and Whittenham are more commonly found. Some other English variations include Withon and Wyethon.
In other parts of Europe, Witton is written as Vitton, Vittone, and Vitten. Italy also has its own variations which are Vittoni and Vittuzzi. In Germany, the surname is spelled Wittmann, Withmann, Witthon, Whitmann, and Witthoff.
In America, the spelling Wytton is most common, and variants such as Whitton and Whitten are also found. Other spellings that have been encountered in the USA include Whitan, Whitone, Wightman, and Whitin.
Surnames of the same origin include Wetten, Wettenham, Wignon, Witting, Wittington, Wuttan, and Wytten. Wyttenham is another similar name found in the United Kingdom. These are all variations or derivatives of the name Witton which can be found throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Witton
- Rachel Witton: British wildlife presenter and presenter on the popular CBBC show Mini Adventures with Dick and Dom.
- Amalie Witton: Australian actress, best known for her roles in Summer of 85 and A Kid Like Jake.
- Alex Witton: English footballer for the Shrewsbury Town Football Club.
- Timothy Witton: British actor, best known for his roles in the films Juliet, Naked and Doctor Who.
- Jackie Witton: British Paralympic swimmer and competitive para-triathlete.
- Chris Witton: British stand-up comedian, actor and writer, known for work with Russell Howard’s Good News, Mock the Week and Have I Got News for You.
- Eileen Witton: Canadian painter and sculptor.
- Amanda Witton: Australian professional swimmer, swim coach and TV personality.
- Phil Witton: British professional cyclist, team captain for Team GB’s Team Sky at the 2013 World Championships.
- Claire Witton: New Zealand musician, songwriter and composer, best known for her contemporary jazz compositions.