Surname Wygenton - Meaning and Origin
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Wygenton: What does the surname Wygenton mean?
The last name Wygenton is a habitational name derived from a village in the ancient county of Worcestershire in England, now known as Wyginton. It is believed that the village was named after Hugh de Wygentone who was recorded in the 13th Century as owing much of the surrounding land.
The name Wygenton is an Anglicanization of an Old English pre 7th century surname, 'Wigand', which is made up of two elements, 'wig' meaning 'war', and 'and' meaning 'bold', so the name as a whole derives from the Old English term meaning 'war bold'. This was often given as a distinguishing reference to someone who was brave in battle.
The Wygenton surname can be found in England, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. It is sometimes seen spelled Wygintone, Wigadentun, and Wygginton, and in other variations of the original spelling.
Today, the surname is mostly associated with families of English origin, although it can also be found among families of other European backgrounds. Many of those who bear the last name of Wygenton are proud of their ancestral history and uphold its various attributes, such as those of bravery and war spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisWygenton: Where does the name Wygenton come from?
The surname Wygenton is not particularly common today. It is most associated with the British Isles, particularly England and Ireland, and in some cases Scotland. It appears to have originated in the 16th century and could have been either a nickname for someone with a wiry disposition or an occupational surname for someone involved in weaving or another form of cloth production.
Today, there is a small England-based Wygenton family from the Bristol region, though their numbers have decreased over the years. The surname was more prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries, when it was often found in older documents and records. During this time, branches of the Wygenton family appear to have spread across the British Isles, with records of the surname showing up in counties such as Yorkshire, Kent, and Northamptonshire.
The surname is practically unheard of in the United States, as there are currently no documented living Wygentons in the US. However, records do show that at least a few individuals with this surname emigrated from the United Kingdom to the United States in the early 20th century, though their descendants have seemingly since moved away or anglicized their surname.
Ultimately, the Wygenton surname is largely absent from records today and its origin is unknown. While it was more prominent in the past, the surname is not common today.
Variations of the surname Wygenton
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname ‘Wygenton’ include ‘Wygenton’, ‘Wygeton’, ‘Wiggen’, ‘Wiggan’, ‘Wigging’, ‘Wigeton’, ‘Wyginton’, ‘Wygington’, ‘Wigington’, ‘Wiginton’, and ‘Wygintown’. Though each spelling of this surname is an alternate form of one another, they can lead researchers to the same sources in most cases.
‘Wygenton’ is an English surname of an occupational origin, derived from the personal name derived from the Old English ‘wig’ + ‘ing’ + ‘tun’ meaning ‘the settlement of the warriors’. The name likely denotes a place which was inhabited by a group of warriors.
The surname’s variants and alternate spellings can be traced to the 15th century, where they were found in the documents of the church. Spelling variations also emerged, probably due to the regional dialects which were spoken in various regions. For example, spellings such as ‘Wiggan’, ‘Wigging’, or ‘Wiggeton’ were found in the midlands. Other spellings such as ‘Wyginton’, ‘Wygintown’, ‘Wigington’ or ‘Wiginton’ were found in the south.
Today, ‘Wygenton’ is most commonly found in England, where it ranks as the 18,283th most common surname. Other spellings of this surname such as ‘Wyginton’ can also be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Wygenton
- Tunji Adebayo Wygenton: Nigerian professor and medical doctor who specializes in tropical diseases and infectious diseases epidemiology.
- Ty Wygant: American television meteorologist, best known for being the co-host of Good Day Oregon on KPTV.
- Carlos Wygenton: Venezuelan tianguista and artist known for his abstract sculptures.
- Marilyn Wygenton: American voice actress best known for voicing Mother Gothel in Tangled: The Series.
- Shelby Wygenton: English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work with the British rock band Bad Company.
- Joy Wygenton: American businesswoman, author, and lifestyle coach.
- Bill Wygenton: American businessman and entrepreneur known for founding the Wygenton Supplies company.
- Arthur Wygenton: American film and theater director known for producing The Elephant Man and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.
- Jenna Wygenton: English actress and TV presenter, best known for appearing on BBC dramas such as The House of Eliott and Kavanagh QC.
- Derek Wygenton: Canadian songwriter and music producer, best known for his work with Canadian singer, Celine Dion.