Surname Wycuff - Meaning and Origin
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Wycuff: What does the surname Wycuff mean?
The last name Wycuff is of English origin and is usually derived from the Old English term wicce, which translates to "wedge" or "partition wall". In some cases, it can also mean "baker", from the Old English term wicca, meaning "bread maker".
The surname can be traced to various locations throughout the United Kingdom, but is most commonly found in the northwest. The name was apparently adapted to accurately reflect the area’s landscape, which included a great number of dividing fields.
In Anglo-Saxon England, the name Wycuff was typically held by individuals who were landowners and farmers. They may have held various positions of power such as earls and barons. Over time, members of the Wycuff family spread abroad, particularly to the United States, where the surname has been adapted differently in some cases.
Today, the surname Wycuff still remains a relatively rare name. However, it is growing in popularity as more people discover the rich history behind it and embrace its unique origin. The modern day holders of the name have the opportunity to make their own mark on the world and carry on the proud legacy of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisWycuff: Where does the name Wycuff come from?
The last name Wycuff is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the 2019 census, there are 1,874 people bearing the name Wycuff scattered across the U.S.
The highest concentrations of people named Wycuff are found in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas, which together account for more than half of all Wycuff households in the US. The states with the second highest concentrations of Wycuff-named people are Missouri, Indiana, and Kentucky, followed by Illinois and New York.
Pennsylvania has the highest ratio of people named Wycuff in comparison to the general population: 131 people sharing the name per million state residents. Ohio comes in second, with 118 people per million and Texas in third place, with 115 people.
Overall, most Wycuff families appear to have settled in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Southwest regions of the United States, but there are also notable populations in New York, Florida, and California, as well as a few individuals scattered across other states.
The origin of the Wycuff name is likely of Scottish or English ancestry, and may have been derived from a combination of the Old English words ‘wic’ and ‘cumb’, which mean ‘dwelling’ and ‘valley’ respectively.
Variations of the surname Wycuff
The surname Wycuff is most commonly found in the United States, most likely of English origin. Variants, spelling and surnames of the same origin for Wycuff include Wycoff, Wicoff, Wicox, Wycough, Wycoff, Wycough, Wycuk, Wigle, Wycof, Wycox, and Wyckford. Wicoff, or Wycough, is the most prominent of these variants, as the name Wycuff is derived from the phrase "Wycoff farm," which means a farm near a pilgrimage road.
The Wicoff spelling of the Wycuff surname is thought to be the oldest form of the name, as it was first found in a deed dated around 1327. The Wycoff spelling, which is the most commonly used spelling in the United States, is simply a variation on the original Wicoff spelling. This spelling has been recorded in both Virginia and Pennsylvania records as early as 1730. The Wycof, Wycox, Wyckford, and Wigle spellings have all been found since the 18th century, and Wycuk is the most recent spelling to be found in records, starting around the early to mid-20th century.
The Wycuff surname has been recorded in many forms throughout the centuries. Whether the spelling is Wycuff, Wicoff, Wycoff, Wycough, Wycof, Wycox, Wyckford, Wigle, or Wycuk, all of these spellings are variants of the same origin and can be traced back to a single Wycoff farm in England.
Famous people with the name Wycuff
- Jim Wycuff: former defensive coordinator for the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball (MLB) team.
- Richard Wycuff: football coach from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
- Greg Wycuff: professional stuntman.
- William T. Wycuff: United States Army lieutenant general and combat engineer.
- Rachel Wycuff: professional soccer player for the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League).
- Jake Wycuff: former pitcher for the New York Yankees and current pitching coach for the Washington Nationals MLB teams.
- Alexander Wycuff: professional athlete who competes in long jump, hurdle and shot put events.
- Migg Wycuff: professional figure skater and Olympic medalist.
- Abigail Wycuff: professional ballet dancer and soloist in the English National Ballet.
- Christopher Wycuff: Hip-hop artist from Philadelphia.