Surname Wolston - Meaning and Origin
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Wolston: What does the surname Wolston mean?
The surname Wolston is an English locational name which originated from one of many places such as Weston in Cheshire or Walton near Prestwich. It is derived from the Old English words 'welles' meaning a 'spring' or 'stream' and 'tun' which means 'enclosure' or 'settlement'. Therefore, the name Wolston essentially means 'the farm or settlement near the spring.'
Throughout the centuries, the surname Wolston has been associated with a variety of people; some of whom were farmers by profession and other noble subjects. Records show that it is an old family name; the first known written record of it dates back as far as 1201.
Today, the last name Wolston is spread across many parts of the world. In England, it is mostly concentrated in Lancashire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. It is also present in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
People with the surname Wolston no doubt take great pride in their heritage and may share a bond with other families with the same name. It is a name with a deep history, one that has withstood the test of time for hundreds of years.
The legacy of the Wolston name will no doubt live on for many more centuries to come.
Order DNA origin analysisWolston: Where does the name Wolston come from?
The last name Wolston is most common in parts of England, especially in the north of the country. According to British genealogical research, the name can be traced back to the county of Durham in the 12th century. The earliest record of the name is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Wulfestan", a Norman version of the pre-existing Old English name "Wulfstan".
Today, the last name Wolston is particularly common in the northern counties of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Lancashire. The small towns of Ackworth, Hull and Ripon all have large populations with the Wolston surname. It is also quite common in areas around London.
Outside of the U.K., Wolston is uncommon. There are a few scattered individuals with the name in other parts of Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia, but they are nothing like the concentrations of Wolston surnames in the U.K.
Variations of the surname Wolston
The spelling and variants of the same origin of the surname Wolston include Woulston, Wallstone and Wallston. The spelling variations of the name occurred due to the interaction of languages at different times in history. The surname is believed to be of Old Norse origin, derived from the word "vanluf", which meant Wolf Hill. The earliest record of Woulston is recorded in 1230 in Cambridgeshire, England in the Pipe Rolls.
The name Wolston is thought to have originated in the north of England as a surname or a place name. It is believed to have been derived from the settlement of Wulvastun, which was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of the places held by the king.
The surnames Wallstone and Wallston are believed to be derived from the same source. They are believed to have originated in Devon, where the placename of Wallston is still found. Wallston was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1240 as a manor owned by the de Wallston family.
The spelling variations from the Old Norse word and the other surnames that derived from the same source demonstrate how interrelated language and dialects were in the past. Even though the surnames have different spellings, all of these variants are believed to have a common origin, which is Wolston.
Famous people with the name Wolston
- Harry Wolston: Australian actor best known for doing stunts on 'The Matrix'
- Charlie Wolston: ex-champion boxer, current trainer and manager
- John Wolston: Actor and yoga teacher from England
- Malia Wolston: American actress and writer, known for her roles in 'Speechless' and 'Key & Peele'
- Martin Wolston: Australian composer and musician active since the 1980s
- Cosmo Wolston: British movie and television director
- Alastair Wolston: Scottish actor and producer of stage and television
- Sean Wolston: Award-winning American journalist and author
- Steve Wolston: Lionheart Comedy Tour producer and comedian from the UK
- Dr Richard Wolston: Renowned Australian HIV/AIDS doctor, author and researcher