Surname Wrydgway - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wrydgway: What does the surname Wrydgway mean?
The surname Wrydgway has its earliest origins in the British Isles. The meaning of the name is derived from a Celtic term "Wryd" meaning "sport" or "play" and "gwydd" which translates as "wood". This is thought to refer to a sheltered grove or a woodland area.
The name would have been given to a person who lived near or within a wooded area, and may have been employed in sports or play. During the Middle Ages, the Wrydgway surname was commonly found in the English counties of Devon and Somerset.
The name Wrydgway also appears in many records in the form of Wrydgwaye, Wrydgwaye, Wrydgway, Wrydgae, Wride, and Wrigley. Over time, this surname has been pronounced in various ways, but the most common form is "Wrigley".
Today, the surname Wrydgway is still found in Britain and its former colonies, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The Wrydgway family is also still present in the southern English counties of Devon and Somerset.
Though the exact meaning of the name Wrydgway is now lost in history, it is a testament to the sense of adventure and playfulness the Wrydgway family has brought to the places they have lived in.
Order DNA origin analysisWrydgway: Where does the name Wrydgway come from?
The last name Wrydgway is not found commonly in many places around the world today. It is most commonly found in Lancashire, England. Records show that a William Wrydgway purchased lands in Lancashire during 1164.
The records of Lancashire show that the Wrydgway family has been in England for centuries. In fact, the Wrydgway ancestral home, located near St. Oswald's Church in Standish, dates back to the 13th century. This estate was later sold in the 19th century and turned into a coal mine.
In the United States, the Wrydgway name is found primarily in Pennsylvania. Most of the people with this name living in the United States today are descended from British immigrants who came to America in the 18th century.
The Wrydgway name is also found in Australia, where the family settled in the 19th century. In addition, some have migrated to New Zealand from England, especially in the South Island.
Today, the Wrydgway name continues to be part of the fabric of cultural and social life in both England and the United States. The name can be found in genealogical records, gravestones, census records, and other documents. Those who have the Wrydgway surname can be sure that their name is part of a long and proud tradition.
Variations of the surname Wrydgway
The surname Wrydgway is a variant of the family name Wrydgeway, which is a variant of the more traditional spelling Widgeway. Other variants of the name include Wrydgeway, Ridgway, and Ridgeway, all of which could be derived from the same origin.
The earliest records of the name Wrydgway come from a collection of court records in Lincolnshire, England dating back to the late 13th century. The name is derived from the Old English word "wryd", meaning "ridge" or "ridge way".
The spelling of the name Wrydgway could also be a derivative of one of its variants or a historical spelling variant. This is common with names that have existed for a long period of time. For example, some variants of Widgeway have been spelled as Wyrdeway, Wrydoway, nowadays, Wyrdgeway, and Wrydgway.
The surname Wrydgway may also be found in some records as Waygway, Wyrdeway,Wirdgway, Wrydgeway, Wyrdgeay or Wyrdgeway, all derived from the surname Widgeway, which is itself derived from the Old English word "wryd", meaning "ridge" or "ridge way".
The name Wrydgway is also common as a variant of the more traditional Widgewood and Ridge wood. These spellings could also be found in records, although they are not as common as Wrydgway.
In modern times, the surname Wrydgway has been used as both a first and last name. In fact, there is a well-known fictional character with this surname, the British explorer and sea captain, William Wrydgway, featured in the novels by the author J.R.R. Tolkien.
Famous people with the name Wrydgway
- Corydon Wydygway (1767–1837), Canadian fur trader
- Edward Wydygway (1819–1890), Canadian politician
- Joseph Wrydgway (1663–1727), English politician
- Clara Wrydgway (1862–1955), American author
- Ralph Wrydgway (1787–1844), English railway pioneer
- Ellen Wrydgway (1844–1931), British portrait and genre painter
- George Wrydgway (1845–1904), English ship rigger
- Alexander Wrydgway (1856–1934), American civil engineer
- Stephen Wrydgway (1889–1970), American geologist and geophysicist
- Clive Wrydgway (1890–1969), British aviation pioneer