Surname Wolliston - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wolliston: What does the surname Wolliston mean?
The last name Wolliston is an English surname of Norman origin. It is derived from the English placename Wolston which was a settlement near the town of Coventry during the 12th century. It comes from the Old English words ‘wulf’ and ‘tun’ meaning ‘wolf enclosure’ or ‘wolf estate.’ The name would have been bestowed to people who lived at or near this area.
The surname Wolliston is seen in early records in places such as Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is likely that the original holders of the name had traveled from their home lands to seek out employment. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname Wolliston was most popular in Lancashire.
Today, people with the last name Wolliston are mainly scattered across England in places like London and Nottinghamshire. The name is most commonly found in these areas.
The name Wolliston is still widely used to this day, and its original meaning remains a reminder of where the family’s history began. For many with the name, it carries a strong sense of pride as they know it is part of a long history and the achievements of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisWolliston: Where does the name Wolliston come from?
The last name Wolliston is commonly found in the United States, Canada, UK, and parts of Europe today. The surname is of English origin, so it may be more commonly found in those areas of the world with long-standing English-speaking communities.
In the United States, the last name Wolliston can be found in larger numbers in such states as New York, California, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. It is likely more widely scattered throughout the entire United States given the communities that originated from various regions of England.
In the UK, Wolliston may appear more commonly in England, due to its origin and long-standing English-speaking communities; Scotland and Wales may show less of the name given the different migratory patterns of various British Isles settlers following the Normans.
In Canada, the name is scattered throughout the various provinces and territories, and is likely more concentrated in English-speaking communities.
In terms of Europe, Wolliston may be found more commonly in English-speaking regions such as the Low Countries, the Baltic region, and other parts of Northern Europe where a strong sense of English identity remains.
Overall, the last name Wolliston is likely to be fairly common in the English-speaking world, in particular, though it may be found scattered throughout other parts of the world such as those with long-standing British cultural influences.
Variations of the surname Wolliston
The surname Wolliston is a variant of Wollaston, and is also known as Woolaston, Wollesten, and Woolstone. These variants evolved when English spellings of the name changed over time. There are also some alternate spellings such as Wollatt, Wollattes, Woolat, Woolatts, Wollaston, and Woolisten.
The surname is derived from the village of Woolaston in Gloucestershire, England. It is a habitational name, which means it was originally taken from the name of the village where the family resided long ago. The village itself is derived from the Old English words "wulf", meaning wolf, and "tun", meaning enclosure.
Wolliston is a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally created by appending the father's name to a son's name. In this case, the father's name was Wulf. Wolliston was derived by adding an "s" to the end of Wulf's name. This created the new patronymic form, Wulfs-tun or Wolliston.
Over time, the spelling of the surname has changed, along with the various spellings mentioned earlier. There are also some surnames that are similar to Wolliston, such as Woolfall, Wolferston, and Wolverston, all of which are formed from the same root elements.
In addition to being a place name, the surname Wolliston can also be derived from a personal name. It is thought to be a variant of Wolstan or Winston, which are derived from the elements "wulf", meaning wolf, and "stan", meaning stone.
All of these surnames stem from the same source and are variations of the same name Wolliston, which was originally derived from the village of Woolaston in Gloucestershire, England.
Famous people with the name Wolliston
- Keith Wolliston: American ice hockey player
- Lenny Wolston: British comedian, actor and impressionist
- Maurice Woolston: American professional wrestler
- Archie Wolliston: British actor who played Robert on the Netflix series "Sex Education"
- Emma Wollaston: British television presenter, best known as a former anchor on BBC Breakfast
- Hugh Wolliston: British actor, best known for portraying Sir Charles Errington in the 2016 TV drama series War and Peace
- Fred Wolston: American professional basketball player
- Frank Wolliston: British race car driver
- Edward Wolliston: American politician and businessman
- Henry Wolliston: American Revolutionary War soldier
- Johnny Wollaston: American rock and roll musician
- Rodney Wollaston: British retired professional footballer
- Herbert Wollaston: British painter active in the early 19th century
- Neil Wolston: British actor, best known for roles in The Bill and Coronation Street
- Lord Anthony Wolliston: British Conservative Party politician
- Chris Wollaston: British Mack Sennett Keystone Comedies actor
- Callum Wollaston: British Paralympic athlete