Surname Woolacott - Meaning and Origin
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Woolacott: What does the surname Woolacott mean?
The last name Woolacott is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational name, which indicates a geographical origin. It is derived from one of the several places named Woolacombe in Devon and Cornwall, which come from the Old English words wulf, meaning wolf, and cumb, meaning a valley.
The name Woolacott is also seen as Woolcott, Wolcott, Woolcut, Woolocot or Woolcoat. It is usually found as a place-name, and records of the name Woolacott as a surname date back to the 15th century in Britain.
One source of the name's origin is that it has been acquired by people from the area of Woolacombe.73 Others believe it has been adopted as a surname from a personal name such as Wulfcote, Wolcotes, or Wolcott. Fabric bearing the name "Wolcote" has been found in the archives of St Mary-at-Hill church in London.
The dovetail mark next to the suffix “cott” is a symbol denoting a tenant farmer, one who provided food and supplies from their farm in return for a share of the profits made from the sale of these products.
The name Woolacott is associated with good fortune, loyalty, peace, and patience. It symbolizes the spirit of freedom and the determination to succeed in life.
Order DNA origin analysisWoolacott: Where does the name Woolacott come from?
The last name Woolacott is most common in Devon in the south west of England. It has been a very common name in the region for centuries and there are many records and maps that show its presence in the area. The name Woolacott is believed to have originated from the wool trade in Devon, where the region was once known as the Wool Coast. Woolacott is an anglicized version of a surname which comes from the Old English 'wulacot' meaning 'wool cottage'.
Many families bearing the Woolacott surname can still be found living in the existing settlements of Devon. Records show that the Woolacott name is especially common in the villages of Moretonhampstead, Woodbury and Topsham, near Exeter. The towns of Okehampton and Totnes are also popular places for Woolacott family members to live.
The name Woolacott is not limited to this region, however. Due to migration, expatriation, intermarriage and emigration, Woolacott family members can now be found throughout the United Kingdom and the world. Woolacott family members have settled in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many other countries.
Variations of the surname Woolacott
The surname Woolacott is an old English variant of the surname Woolcott. It is an habitational surname which is derived from two Anglo-Saxon words "wool" and "cote", which translates to a "cottage or shelter with a woolen supply". It is believed to either have originated from one of the many places named Woolcott, such as Woolcott in Sussex, or have been adopted as a surname by an individual after a location. Other variants and spellings of Woolacott include Walcott, Woolcott, Walcot, Woolett, Woollett, and Woollet.
In some cases, the spelling of the surname can vary even within the same family. For example, two brothers from the same family might spell the name Woolacott and Walcott. Variants of the surname can be found in various countries as a result of migration throughout the centuries. The oldest recorded spelling of the surname is believed to be Wolcott, found in The Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379.
The occurrence of Woolacott as a surname is relatively uncommon. It is mostly to be found in the UK and in parts of the United States. In England it has a higher concentration in the south west region, specifically Devon, Bristol, Cornwall and Gloucestershire. In Scotland, Woolacott is mainly to be found in the Scottish Borders and East Lothian regions. In the US, Woolacott is mainly found in Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Famous people with the name Woolacott
- Jack Woolacott: English actor, known for his roles in The Avengers and Agatha Christie's Marple
- David Woolacott: British cross-country skier who participated in the 1984 Winter Olympics
- Theodore Woolacott: American children's television actor and producer
- Jodie Woolacott: Irish punk/pop vocalist of the mid-1980s
- Sam Woolacott: a classically trained musician (cello & piano), currently performing with the London International Orchestra
- Bob Woolacott: a Canadian songwriter and musician who records under the name 'Bobo'
- Andrew Woolacott: an English cricket player who last represented Devon in the Minor Counties Championship
- Will Woolacott: an Australian television host, radio presenter and actor, best known for presenting on the breakfast show Rove & Sam
- George Woolacott: a British humorist and cartoonist who created the character 'Mr. Wiggins'
- Hannah Woolacott: an English veterinary scientist and biodiversity enthusiast