Surname Wolcott - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
How an iGENEA DNA Test Changed My View of Personal Identity and The Meaning of the Surname 'Wolcott'
The iGENEA DNA test delivered unexpected revelations about my heritage and the historical significance of my family name, Wolcott, changing my perspective on personal identity and my ties to the past.
L. Wolcott
read moreWolcott: What does the surname Wolcott mean?
The last name Wolcott is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English words “wulf” meaning wolf, and “cott” meaning a cottage, and can be translated to mean “a cottage of the wolf”. Wolcotts have an ancient lineage which dates back to the Normans, and have an extensive branch of the family tree found in England.
The earliest recorded uses of the name go back to the 12th century, with John Wolcote (recorded in 1220) and Elias Wulcote (in 1278). Various forms of the name have been used, with Wolcott, Wolcott, Woolcott and Woolcote being the most common.
Wolcotts have been found in a variety of occupations, but most commonly in politics and religious office. In the United States, the first Wolcott to appear was Roger Wolcott, who hailed from London and served as Governor of Connecticut during the American Revolutionary War.
Wolcotts can also be found in Victorian England, with Edward Wolcott living in the 1500s. He was an author and Historian who wrote several works on local history, and the genealogy of the Wolcott family.
Overall, the surname Wolcott is a proud one, and is representative of a long and distinguished family history, as well as a deep connection to the roots of England.
Order DNA origin analysisWolcott: Where does the name Wolcott come from?
The last name Wolcott is most common in the United States today, where over 11,000 people bear the name. According to the 2019 US Census, it is most prevalent in Connecticut, the state which it originated from, where there are over 890 people. Connecticut holds the highest concentration of the name, followed by Massachusetts, with over 500 people, and New Hampshire, with over 450 people.
The Wolcotts were among the earliest settlers in New England. The family dates back to 1632 when William Wolcott emigrated from England. He and his family settled in a parcel of land in Windsor, Connecticut, near the banks of the Connecticut River. His line of descendants have since spread throughout the area, resulting in a significant number of the name throughout the Northeast.
The surname is also common in Canada, where the name can be found in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. In Ontario, over 120 people bear the name, while in Quebec, the number is around 90. In British Columbia, the surname is likewise prevalent, where there are over 70 people with the Wolcott name.
Outside of North America, the surname can also be found in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Scotland, and ourters. Jamaica has the highest concentration with over 70 people bearing the name. In Scotland, the surname is more rare; approximately 33 people with the surname live there according to the most recent data.
Variations of the surname Wolcott
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wolcott are Willcote, Willscox, Wilcocks, Wilsco, Wilcoxson, Wilcoxen, Wilcoxon, Wilcox, Wilcott, Wilcosen, Wilskot, Wilscutt, Wylscott, Yeolsott, Willicot, Willicott, Willocombe, Willsknit, Wilscutt, Wildcot, Willakote, Wolcott, Wolcotte, Woolcott, Woulcutt, Woolcut, Woolecott, Woupcott, Waltcott, and Walcot.
The Wolcott surname is of English origin and derived from the Old French personal name Wilco. It is composed of two elements, "wil" which meant "resolute" or "will," and "cot" which was a term for "cottage" or "shelter." The name then likely meant "one who provides shelter," or more likely, "one who lives in a cottage," since many people of this name were cottage owners in England.
Over time, as different branches of descendants of Wilco moved from their homeland, the spelling of the name began to change. This eventually caused various spellings of the surname Wolcott, such as Willcote, Willscox, Wilcocks, Wilsco, Wilcoxson, Wilcoxen, Wilcoxon, Wilcox, Wilcott, Wilcosen, Wilskot, Wilscutt, Wylscott, Yeolsott, Willicot, Willicott, Willocombe, Willsknit, Wilscutt, Wildcot, Willakote, Wolcott, Wolcotte, Woolcott, Woulcutt, Woolcut, Woolecott, Woupcott, Waltcott, and Walcot.
Most members of the Wolcott family can trace their heritage to the Norman Conquest of England, as many members of the family settled in various English counties in the 11th and 12th centuries. Today, the name is most common in the United Kingdom and Canada.
Famous people with the name Wolcott
- Frank Wolcott: American actor known for films such as The Return of Rin Tin Tin, The Woman in the Window, and The Cat's Meow
- Willard Wolcott: Canadian politician who served as Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
- William Starr Wolcott– 32nd Mayor of Cleveland, Ohio and United States Senator from Ohio
- Wallace Wolcott: American politician who represented the 64th district of the Vermont House of Representatives from 2004 to 2010.
- Sarah Wolcott: Lead singer and guitarist of the rock band "Eyes Only".
- Morris Loring Wolcott: Bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Fond du Lac from 1905 to 1932.
- Howard Wolcott: American mathematician who made significant contributions to the study of geometry and probability.
- Andrew H. Wolcott: Served as a Member of the Michigan State Senate from 1922 to 1926.
- Alice Elvira Wolcott: American singer and actress best known for the Broadway musical "Good News".
- Albert Wolcott: Major General in the United States Army who served during World War II and the Korean War.