Surname Wainwright - Meaning and Origin
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Unraveling the Fascinating Global Journey of the Wainwright Surname through an iGENEA DNA Test
Having undergone an iGENEA DNA test, astonishing genetic discoveries have exposed the diverse historical lineage of the Wainwright surname. Tracing its roots from England's medieval times, I discovered connections to Norse Vikings, Iberian settlements, Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish communities, and links to North Africa, revealing multiple layers of migrations and mixed heritages.
W. Wainwright
read moreWainwright: What does the surname Wainwright mean?
The surname Wainwright is of English origin and is an occupational surname for a waggon or cart maker. The term comes from the Old English words "wægn" and "wryhta", which translate to "wagon" and "maker" respectively. As traveling by wagon was a common mode of transportation in the past, it is likely that someone with the surname Wainwright was a key figure in their community who produced wagons for a variety of daily uses, such as farming and transport. This surname emulates the Middle Ages tradition of naming people based on their trade or profession. Over time, these professional identifiers transformed into family names and were passed down through generations. Therefore, the last name Wainwright usually indicates that one's ancestors were engaged in the craft of making wagons.
Order DNA origin analysisWainwright: Where does the name Wainwright come from?
The last name Wainwright is most common in the United Kingdom today, particularly in England. The name originated in the Middle Ages, with a prominent individual bearing the name recorded in 1180 in the county of Sussex, England. It is quite possible that the name derived from an ancient place-name, derived from a personal name and the Old English 'wain-writh' meaning 'a wagonwright,' or a craftsman who made wagons and carts.
In modern times, Wainwright is a surname that is most prevalent in the northern region of England. This includes cities like Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle, as well as a variety of smaller towns and villages in Yorkshire and the surrounding area. While not as common as other British surnames, an individual with the last name Wainwright is still likely to find other individuals in some of England’s larger cities who share the same name.
Outside of the UK, the name is much rarer. While the name has gained some traction in the United States, particularly in the state of Pennsylvania, individuals with this surname are much more likely to find others sharing the name in their home country of England.
Variations of the surname Wainwright
The surname Wainwright is derived from the Old English terms ‘wægnwræhta’ or ‘wainwright’, which were used to denote an individual who built or maintained wagons or carts.
The most common variants of the surname Wainwright include Wagnwright, Waignwright, Wainmen, Wagman, Waggonwright, Wainwryght, Wagnwryght, Waneeright and Wagonright.
In Scotland, the surname has been anglicised and is most commonly spelt as Wainwright. Other spellings found in Scotland include Wayneright, Wannereght and Wannright.
In some instances, a ‘y’ has been added to the surname to denote Wyneeright, Wynesright, Wynyneright or Wineirright. In the US, spellings can include Waynewright, Wayneright, Wainwight and Winegar.
Other surnames that can be linked to the same origin as Wainwright include Wagstaff, Wagster, Wagg and Waggoner.
Overall, the surname Wainwright can be found in many different spellings and variants due to its development in different regions and language variations. It is also linked to a variety of other surnames from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Wainwright
- Rufus Wainwright: popular singer-songwriter from the United States
- Martha Wainwright: Canadian-American folk-rock singer-songwriter
- Loudon Wainwright III: American songwriter, folk singer, humorist, and actor
- Sloan Wainwright: American folk and jazz singer-songwriter
- Kate McGarrigle: Canadian folk music singer-songwriter; mother of Rufus and Martha Wainwright
- Anna McGarrigle: Canadian folk music singer-songwriter; sister of Kate McGarrigle and aunt of Rufus and Martha Wainwright
- Suzzy Roche: American folk singer-songwriter; half sister of both Rufus and Martha Wainwright
- Sloan Wainwright: American folk and jazz singer-songwriter
- Bradley Wainwright: Australian actor
- Alex Wainwright: English singer-songwriter
- Betty Wainwright: English actress
- Arthur Wainwright: British naturalist
- John Wainwright: English cricketer
- William Wainwright: English poet
- John Wainwright: English journalist and author
- Secundus Wainwright: English actor
- Nathan Wainwright: English author and poet
- Mary Wainwright: English novelist
- Jeptha Wainwright: American politician
- Robert Wainwright: English writer and publisher