Surname Wightman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wightman: What does the surname Wightman mean?
The last name Wightman is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from an old English pre-seventh century word ‘wihte’, meaning “white” and ‘mann’ - a reference to a man. It is primarily found in counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
The name was often historically given to a person with white hair, or a fair complexion. It is believed to have been derived from a nickname; as such, the original bearer of the name would likely have been a person of some prominence. In some cases, the surname might even have originated as an occupational name, referring to a white-coated worker, such as a washerwoman, or a launderer.
The earliest record of the name appears in the Feet of Fines document of 1202, when Robertus Wyte was listed. Other notable bearers of this surname include Henry Wightman, who was baptised at the Church of St Dionis Backchurch, London, in 1604, and William White the Elder, who was baptised in the same church in 1620. One of the more prominent representatives of the name today is Chas Wightman, the former chairman of the Channel Islands Co-operative Society
The Wightman name is now a popular choice for families, sharing both a proud history and positive connotations of a ‘white man’ – a person of fairness, respect and honour.
Order DNA origin analysisWightman: Where does the name Wightman come from?
The surname Wightman is believed to originate from England, where it is still found today. It is especially common in the North of the country and the Midlands. It is believed to be a habitational name, with some claiming it to originate near the Isle of Wight. A transformation of the Old English words 'wíg' (war) and 'ham' (home) into something approximating the modern 'Wightman' is one explanation put forward. In present-day England and the surrounding area, the surname is still prominent, especially in cities such as London, Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds. Many Wightman families can be found in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States, too. It is more common in the latter two countries than in England. According to the Society of Genealogists, there are now approximately 14,000 bearers of the Wightman surname in the United Kingdom alone. It is especially prevalent in Birmingham, Bradford, Gloucester, and Worcester.
Variations of the surname Wightman
The surname Wightman is an English and Scottish surname. It derives from the Old English ‘wihte’, meaning ‘white’, and man, meaning ‘man’. Variants of the surname include Wyattman, Wight, Wyght, Wite, Whyteman, Wyttemann, Whiteaker, Wyethman, Whettemann, Wytheman, and Whyeatt.
In England, many of the spellings of Wightman are found scattered throughout the country, with concentration in Middlesex, Norfolk, Derbyshire, Oxfordshire, and Sussex. In Scotland, the spellings Wight and Wyght are most frequent in the counties of Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire, Orkney, Midlothian, and Perthshire.
The earliest mention of the surname Wightman is from 1210, when Richard Wyghtman, a witness to a charter, is mentioned in county of Oxfordshire, England. Variations of the surname, such as Wight, were noted in the mid-13th century, when Richard Wite was recorded in Oxfordshire. Later, in the late 16th century, Roger Whytteman was noted in county Sussex.
In Scotland, the variants Wight and Wyght can both be traced back to 16th century records. In 1570, William Wyght was recorded in Aberdeenshire, and twenty years later, Henry Wyt is noted in Midlothian. The surname Wightman is found most frequently in the 19th and 20th centuries in the United States, when many immigrants bearing the surname settled in the US.
Famous people with the name Wightman
- Chris Wightman, Paralympic silver medalist in wheelchair rugby
- Paul Wightman, professional golf instructor
- Adam Wightman, Australian ABC cameraman
- Emily Wightman, former NFL cheerleader
- Courtney Wightman, the US junior figure skating champion
- Thomas Wightman, former British boxing champion
- Ralph Wightman, British historian and professor
- Abigail Wightman, British fashion designer
- Albert Wightman, American botanist
- Jack Wightman, British politician in the House of Commons