Surname Wolstencraft - Meaning and Origin

Wolstencraft: What does the surname Wolstencraft mean?

The last name Wolstencraft is of English origin and is believed to be derived from the names "Wulfstan," which is an Old English reference to a wolf-stone, or the stone where wolves gathered to meet and mate, and "craft," which originally referred to the occupation of a tradesman. Together, these two elements form a family name that signifies a strong and determined individual who is admired for their craftsmanship and strong-mindedness.

This name is often associated with the philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft who is renowned for her advocacy of women's rights. This family legacy of strength and tenacity is what many people associate with the surname Wolstencraft and it is believed that those who bear this name possess the same traits.

The name Wolstencraft is not widely spread across the globe, but it can be found most frequently in England and in the United States. It is also believed that some of the descendants of the name are those who originated from Australia.

In conclusion, the last name Wolstencraft is a strong and determined name that is associated with strong-minded individuals with great craftsmanship. It has its origins in England and has been carried on to the United States, Australia, and beyond. The legacy of the name is linked to the legacy of Mary Wollstonecraft and her advocacy of women’s rights.

Wolstencraft: Where does the name Wolstencraft come from?

The last name Wolstencraft is most commonly found today in Northern Ireland, England, and Canada, with some presence in Scotland, and specific regions within the United States.

In Northern Ireland, the surname is most commonly found in areas near the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. A large proportion of Wolstencrafts live around the borders where counties Antrim and Down meet each other. Additionally, the largest population of Wolstencrafts lives in London, England in the Greater London areas. This family name also exists in the United Kingdom in the regions of Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

In Canada, the name can also be spotted widely in two provinces: Ontario and Manitoba. Both provinces have fantastic concentrations of Wolstencrafts in urban areas, such as Toronto, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. Specifically in Toronto, Scarborough is the area with the highest concentration of this family name.

In the United States, a presence is found in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, particularly Scranton, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area.

Overall, the Wolstencraft name originating from the Irish background is found in many regions of the world today. The presence in these regions is most prominent in England, Northern Ireland, Canada, and the United States.

Variations of the surname Wolstencraft

The surname Wolstencraft is derived from the Old English personal name “Wulfstan”, which means "wolf stone". Spellings of this family name have included Wollstencraft, Wolstencraft, Woolstencraft, and Woolstoncraft.

Variants or alternate spellings of Wolstencraft include Woolstencraft, which is generally the earliest spelling of the name, Woolstoncraft, and Woolstencroft. This spelling can be found as far back as the 1500s in England. Another variant is, Wolstenholme, a spelling which can be found in early records in Lancashire.

Surnames of the same origin as Wolstencraft include Wolfstone, Wollstone, Woolsten, Woolston, and Wooldridge. Wolfstone originated as a habitational name referring to someone who lived at the houses or farms of such names.

Wollstone is also derived from “Wulfstan”, but in a patronymic form, being derived from the father’s given name. This spelling often occurs in towns in the southwestern regions of England. Woolsten is another form of the surname derived from “Wulfstan”, and can be found in Essex, England.

Woolston is derived from “Wulfstan”, a loan word meaning “wolf’s stone” and is an ancient English name, dating back to medieval times. Wooldridge is variation of the family surname “Woolridge” and is derived from the Old English word “wulf-ric”, meaning “wolf ruler”.

Famous people with the name Wolstencraft

• Mary Wollstonecraft (1759: 1797): Mary Wollstonecraft was an eighteenth-century British writer and philosopher who is now celebrated as a trailblazer of early feminism. She was a major proponent of egalitarianism and argued forcefully against the notion of women’s inferiority to men. Wollstonecraft is best known for her book A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792).
• William Godwin (1756: 1836): William Godwin was an English political philosopher, novelist, and author of other works. He was one of the founders of the philosophical movement known as utilitarianism which focused on the idea of producing the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people. Godwin was also married to Mary Wollstonecraft and fathered their daughter Mary Shelley, who wrote the famed novel Frankenstein.
• Eliza Wollstonecraft Godwin (1797: 1851): Eliza Wollstonecraft Godwin was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin. She was a journalist and children’s author who wrote four stories for children, the first one being The Poetry Album (1819). Eliza was also significant for founding a school for young women in London, the Godwin School for Girls.
• Everina Wollstonecraft (1773: 1841): Everina Wollstonecraft was an author and the eldest daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft and her dissenter husband. She wrote several novels, including Anamdros: A Tale Founded on Incidents of Real Life (1806) and Helen Fleetwood: A Tale (1812).
• Fanny Imlay (1794: 1816): Fanny Imlay was the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft and the American business owner Gilbert Imlay. Fanny was largely forgotten in her mother’s time but is now becoming increasingly recognized as a figure of interest. Fanny attempted to take her own life at the age of 22 and is now seen by some as a representation of the difficulties that Wollstonecraft faced as a female thinker.

Other surnames

Wolstencroft