Surname Wooton - Meaning and Origin
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Wooton: What does the surname Wooton mean?
The last name Wooton is an Anglicized form of the Old English surname Wudun. It originates in the English county of Gloucester. It's a locational name from a hamlet in Gloucester called Wuddan. This place derives from the Old English word “wuda” meaning wood. The name was first recorded in 1203, and Wystan de Wudan was recorded in 1296.
People originally adopted a surname for a variety of reasons. These included identification, status, or a description of the person. In the case of Wooton, it was a locational name, often given to someone who lived near or occupied a particular place.
The Wooton family is well known in the British Isles. It has been the name of the hereditary court of the Earls of Wooton since 1527. The Earls of Copmanhurst are another famous branch of the family. Over the years, the Wooton name has spread around the world, especially to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Wooton family and clan is a proud one with a long and varied history. From its humble beginnings as a small hamlet in Gloucester, it has spread across the world. Many of its members have been influential people, including politicians, entrepreneurs, and military personnel.
Order DNA origin analysisWooton: Where does the name Wooton come from?
The last name Wooton is most common today in the United States, particularly in the south. It’s most concentrated in the Texas-Kansas-Oklahoma triangle and the Appalachian region, but it’s also present elsewhere in the country.
The name itself has Dutch roots, derived from Wooten or Wouten, a family that is mentioned as early as the 12th century. In the 1700s, this family had spread across Europe, eventually reaching the British Isles.
The most likely explanation for Wooton’s presence in the US is that it originated with colonists from the British Isles. Early immigrants from these parts of Europe could have brought it with them as they settled in the original American colonies.
Today, the name is most commonly found in the US, but it’s also present in the UK. The name is also present in Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
In the US, the name is particularly associated with the Appalachian Mountains, suggesting that the original settlers of the region were responsible for its introduction here.
In general, the last name Wooton is thought to be an occupational surname, derived from the occupation of woodcutter. This is supported by the prevalence of the name in areas where woodcutting is a common occupation, such as the Appalachian Mountains.
No matter where you find it, the last name Wooton has likely been around for centuries, with roots that can be traced back to the 12th century.
Variations of the surname Wooton
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wooton include Wooten, Wootton, Wooton-by-Warwick, Woodon, Woddon, Wotton, Woden, Woudon, Woodward, Wooldridge, Wootton-Broadweather, Woolridge, Wooldon, Woldon, Wootton-Peverel, and Woolden.
Wooton is a locational surname originating from Worcestershire, England. This name has its roots in the Old English words ‘wudu’, meaning wood, and ‘dun’, meaning hill. This suggests that the original family who took this surname originated and lived near a hill made out of wood. Over the years, families using this surname spread throughout England and Wales, and eventually to other parts of the world.
Since its emergence, the surname has evolved to take on several different spellings, and is also often combined with other geographical surnames originating from different regions in England. For example, the double-barrel surname Wooton-by-Warwick likely originates from a combination of the Worcestershire location and the Warwickshire location.
Similar to many other surnames, slight variations in spelling such as Woden, Woudon and Woolden, are simply alternatives based on pronunciation and preference of the individual families. In addition, surnames like Woodward, Wooldridge, Wotton and Woolridge are also believed to have arisen from the original surname, Wooton, but with a slight change of spelling and addition of elements to indicate further origin. These variants and spellings all stem from the same root of Wooton and likely represent different branches of the same original family that took this surname.
Famous people with the name Wooton
- Peter Wooton: Peter Wooton is an English professional footballer, known for having played for clubs such as Arsenal and West Ham United.
- Tye Wooton: Tye Wooton is an American actor and model, who has appeared in films such as The Mummy Returns and The Day After Tomorrow.
- Matt Wooton: Matt Wooton is a professional cricketer, who made his debut for Australia in 2012.
- Aaron Wooton: Aaron Wooton is an American musician and singer-songwriter, who has released several albums over the years.
- Jack Wooton: Jack Wooton is an English professional footballer, known for having played for clubs such as Brighton & Hove Albion and Millwall.
- Joshua Wooton: Joshua Wooton is an American professional football player, who is currently playing for the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Kim Wooton: Kim Wooton is an American attorney, who served as the Secretary of the Interior under President George W. Bush.
- John Wooton: John Wooton is an American actor, best known for his roles in films such as The Fast and the Furious and Pitch Black.
- Michael Wooton: Michael Wooton is an English professional footballer, who has played for clubs such as Arsenal and Watford.
- Paul Wooton: Paul Wooton is an American comedian and writer, who has written for television series such as The Simpsons and The Larry Sanders Show.