Surname Wotherspoon - Meaning and Origin
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Wotherspoon: What does the surname Wotherspoon mean?
The last name Wotherspoon is of Scottish origin and can be translated to mean the "son of Wother." It is a patronymic surname, which is derived from a combination of the old English word 'woth' meaning ‘anger, rage,’ and 'son' which was added as a suffix. This surname is quite common in Scotland, and was first recorded in Eyemouth, Berwickshire during the 16th century.
The persons associated with the name Wotherspoon are believed to have been direct descendants of Norsemen who settled in Scotland during the 11th and 12th centuries. This was a time when many families of Norse origin moved from Scandinavia to Britain’s northwest regions.
During the Middle Ages, the Wotherspoons were highly esteemed coastal merchants who owned considerable amounts of land and estates in Scotland. They even minted their own coins that are still in circulation today. An old legal document from 1517 records the transactions of Wotherspoon land in Edinburgh.
At the start of the 19th century, many members of the Wotherspoon family migrated to America in search of opportunity. Over time, the name Wotherspoon spread to other parts of the world, with families settling in New Zealand, Canada, and other countries.
Today, the name Wotherspoon is quite common in many countries around the world and is still associated with the traits of the Norse people: strength, wisdom, and courage.
Order DNA origin analysisWotherspoon: Where does the name Wotherspoon come from?
The last name Wotherspoon is most commonly found in Scotland, particularly in and around the former county of Kirkcudbrightshire in the southwestern part of the country. Today, the name is still very strongly represented in that region, with many bearers of the name residing in the various small towns, villages, and rural areas that still make up a large part of the area. Records show that around 150 people with the last name Wotherspoon live in the local area today.
The surname can also be found throughout the United Kingdom as a whole, with a handful of bearers being found in other areas of Scotland such as the Highlands and the islands, as well as in various parts of England and Wales. In addition, many bearers of the name can be found in other English speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, often due to the influence of the large-scale emigrations of Scots who left their homeland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the US, people with the last name Wotherspoon are most commonly found in the states of California, New York, and Pennsylvania. Records show that particularly large numbers of bearers of the name live in the West Coast cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as in the borough of Queens in New York City.
In summary, the last name Wotherspoon is bound closely to the historical origins of South West Scotland, and is still very much represented in this part of the world today. However, it can now also be found in countries throughout the English speaking world due to the migrations of Scots and their descendants that took place over the past century and more.
Variations of the surname Wotherspoon
The Wotherspoon surname is often spelled with variant spellings. Some common variants include Wotherspon, Wotherspun, Wotherspunne, Wotherspoone, Wotherspowen, Woutherspoon, and Woderspoon. The Wotherspoon surname is thought to have originated from the Scots language. It is believed to be derived from the Old English words wudu-spon meaning literally “wood spon” or “wood spoon”, a descriptive occupational name that referred to someone who made spoons out of wood. Others speculate that the name may have been derived from the Old Sailor’s word "To Spun" or the old English word wodas meaning "wood".
The Wotherspoon surname can also be found in other countries as an alternate surname, such as Wooterspoon, Woderspunne, Voderspoon, Wodderspoon, and Wodderspunne. These names have all been found in records in Scotland, England, the United States, and other countries.
Wotherspoon can also be found as a surname of Scottish descent, such as Wotherspoon of Glencairn. This surname is believed to have arisen from the same root as other surnames of Scottish origin, including the surnames of Wotherspoon, Wotherspon, Wotherspun, Wotherspunne, and Wothersponnet.
The Wotherspoon surname can also be found in Germany, where it is spelled and pronounced Woederspoon or Woederspunne. This spelling and pronunciation are thought to be of Germanic origin and derived from the Germanic word Wichten, which means to guard or watch.
The Wotherspoon surname can also be found as a surname of Jewish origin, such as Wotirspon, Wotirspun, Wotirspunne, and Wotirsponnets. These surnames are believed to have been adopted by various Jewish migrants and refugees who arrived in different countries in search of safety during times of persecution.
Famous people with the name Wotherspoon
- Robert Wotherspoon, Canadian politician
- Ian Wotherspoon, Scottish professional golfer
- Graham Wotherspoon, English evolutionary biologist
- Chris Wotherspoon, former British Paralympic swimmer
- Robert Wotherspoon, Scottish poet and playwright
- Craig Wotherspoon, Scottish professional footballer
- John Wotherspoon, Scottish actor
- Stan Wotherspoon, British racing driver
- Mark Wotherspoon, English professional footballer
- William Wotherspoon, Scottish rugby union international who has represented his country in the World Rugby Sevens Series