Surname Wymbush - Meaning and Origin

Wymbush: What does the surname Wymbush mean?

The last name Wymbush originates from the Middle Ages as an occupational surname used to indicate a person who was employed in the weaving industry. The name derives from an Old English term, wimbel, which refers to a woven product like cloth or a mat. It is thought that the ending “bush” was added to this word by the Normans who employed people to work in the textile industry. The surname likely originated in a specific region, perhaps near a river, where the production of cloth could take place.

Over the centuries, the name underwent changes in spelling and pronunciation as languages and dialects evolved. Eventually, the surname Wymbush became adopted and established in England. It is found in various records of the period including the British census of 1881.

Today, the name Wymbush is still found in England, Scotland, and Wales. It may also be found in the United States and other English-speaking countries where immigrants from the British Isles have relocated. People with the surname Wymbush are part of a centuries-old tradition of weaving and fabric production that has been an important part of many societies’ histories and cultures.

Wymbush: Where does the name Wymbush come from?

The last name Wymbush is most common in the United Kingdom. English records of the surname date back to at least 1468 and it appears to have originated as a nickname for a person with an unkempt or wild-looking appearance. The family remained largely in the counties of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire until the 19th century, when some Wymbush families emigrated to the United States and Canada. The name is still fairly common in the UK today, with the greatest frequency of occurrences in London and in and around the counties of Wiltshire and Somerset. It is also somewhat common in certain parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Outside of the UK, the last name is much less common, however there are a number of Wymbush families living in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Some have also made their home in other countries, including Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Wymbush

The surname Wymbush is an often Anglicized variation of the German name Wagemannbuesch, and is found mainly in England among Anglo-Saxon populations today. It derives from the Middle German 'wagemannbuesch' for 'Wagemannbush' meaning 'warrior's bush'. In some cases, the 'w' may be dropped to give 'agemannbuesch' but is still pronounced the same.

Wymbush is the most commonly seen spelling of this surname, however there are some other variants which have been seen. One spelling which could be seen is Wymbusch or Wymbus, which is derived from the same origin. This spelling could also be seen with a double 's', so Wymbussh, as well as Wymbuss.

The surname Wägemannbüsch is found more commonly in Germany, and can take on several different forms of spelling, depending on the region within the country. Wegemannbüsch can be seen, and the 'ö' of the German letter often changes to either an 'a' or an 'o', so this spelling can also take on the forms Waegemannbuesch, Woegemannbuesch or Woegemannbüsch.

Additionally, the same surname may have surnames derived from its origin, such as Wagemann or Wageman, and all of these may also be accompanied by a doubled up 'n', such as Wagemannn or Wägemannn.

The surname Wymbush is likely to be derived from one of the variations of the German origin, and is often seen as an Anglicised version. It is likely to have been used by people with roots to Germany who moved to England in order to escape religious or political persecution.

Famous people with the name Wymbush

• James Wymbush: An English Romantic poet and novelist who wrote the famous story "The Vicar of Wakefield".
• Alice Wymbush: An American writer and playwright, famous for her plays "The Music Maker" and "Bloody Sighs".
• Samuel Wymbush: A celebrated 19th century artist and photographer, noted for his panoramic views of rural scenes and countryside.
• Stephen Wymbush: An 18th century architect and structural engineer, who designed some of the earliest background buildings of the city of London.
• Roger Wymbush: A British colonial army soldier who served in the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58.
• Michael Wymbush: A British aerospace engineer and the inventor of the modern wing-flapping mechanism that allows airplanes to take off and land safely.
• Freda Wymbush: An American classical music composer and arranger, famous for her avant-garde compositions.
• Robert Wymbush: A Victorian era English singer who is credited with recording the first version of the traditional British folk song "Come Landlord Fill the Flowing Bowl".
• William Wymbush: An English landscape painter and illustrator, known for producing realistically detailed and highly imaginative works.
• Christopher Wymbush: A Canadian businessman and entrepreneur, who founded the first specialty cheese store in the country.

Other surnames

Wymbusche