Surname Weeton - Meaning and Origin
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Weeton: What does the surname Weeton mean?
The surname Weeton is believed to be of English origin, having derived from a place-name of the same spelling. The place-name is thought to have originated from the Old English words ‘waege’ and ‘tun’, meaning ‘enclosed settlement by the wheat-harvesting area’. As a result of its origin, Weeton has come to represent the village of the same name located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.
In the Middle ages, it has been proposed that Weeton Castle was built at some point and therefore a lord of the manor was appointed, resulting in a few Weeton families. As people moved around England and further afield, the name began to spread, with many variations appearing throughout the years. These variations include Wetton, Weten, Wettin and Wetton.
Today, it is believed that the name Weeton is most common in the United Kingdom, with a large portion of the bearers residing in the North West of England. Over time, the name’s distribution has spread to other countries such as the United States of America, Canada, South Africa and Australia.
Overall, the Weeton surname has come to signify a welcoming and strong-willed community that has deep roots in Yorkshire and the British isles. The surname is a testament to the strong and resourceful individuals who descended from this rural heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisWeeton: Where does the name Weeton come from?
The last name Weeton is not very common today. According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2020, there were only 4,061 people in the United States with the last name Weeton.
The surname likely originated in the UK as more than 3,000 people with the last name Weeton live in England and Wales in 2021. Even more live in Scotland, with over 4,500 people having the Weeton surname.
The most popular origins of the Weeton surname come from Old English and Scottish sources. In Old English, the name Weeton could have been derived from the place name Weeton, which was a parish in Yorkshire. It could also have come from the Old English words 'waege' meaning 'wave', 'waefan' meaning 'to wail', 'waed' meaning 'deal', or 'weot' meaning 'wood'.
In Scotland, the original form of the name was the Gaelic 'Mac an Bhreitheamhnaigh', which means 'son of the judge'. This surname later became anglicised as 'Weeton'.
Today, people with the surname Weeton are most likely to be found in the United Kingdom, with more living in Scotland than anywhere else. There are also lesser numbers of Weetons in other countries, such as Canada, the United States, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Weeton
The surname Weeton is a habitational name derived from a place in West Yorkshire, England. The variants, spellings, and surnames associated with Weeton are Weton, Weaton, Weton, Wiaton, and Wyton. Some other surnames with similar origins are Waton, Waidon, Waten, Waidon, Waiton, and Waighton.
Weeton is a common surname of English origin. This surname is related to the Old English phrase meaning "village on the ford". In the Domesday Book of 1086, Weeton was spelled as Wietun which was Latinized to Weton.
It is believed that Weeton first emerged as a family name in Somerset, England, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. The original spelling of the surname is believed to be Waite. Over time, the spelling was changed to Weeton, and other variants emerged as family members moved to different areas.
Early records of the surname include records like Richard Weton in the 1282 Curia Regis Rolls, Roger Waiton in the 1301 Subsidy Rolls and Alexander Wyton in 1419. The Weeton family was recorded in County Somerset during the Middle Ages as a prominent family of great influence and standing.
There are several spellings and permutations of the Weeton surname, including Weeton, Weton, and Weton, along with Wiaton, Wyton, Waiton, Waidon, Waton, Waten, and Waighton.
Famous people with the name Weeton
- Rufus Weeton (1804–1896): English Wesleyan minister.
- William Weeton (1812-1899): English Presbyterian minister.
- Florence Weeton (1864-1948): British politician and suffragette.
- Joe Weeton (1919–2001): British actor, known for roles in television show 'Z Cars'.
- Kim Weeton (1931–2010): American actress, known for her role as Lauren Goodman on the soap opera 'The Edge of Night'.
- John Weeton (1948-2020): British psychotherapist and author of 'Finding Lasting Love'.
- Brian Weeton (b.1951): English footballer who played for teams like Chesterfield and Crewe Alexandra.
- Ursula Weeton (b. late 1950s): British Radio and TV presenter, notable for her work on the BBC World Service.
- Robbie Weeton (b.1978)- Australian rules footballer who played four games in the Australian Football League.
- Emma Weeton (b.1981): English actress, known for several appearances in films, including 'The Boat That Rocked'.