Surname Wyght - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wyght: What does the surname Wyght mean?
The last name Wyght is of medieval English origin and is believed to have originally been an occupational name for a woodworker or wainwright. The name probably derives from Middle English terms such as wight and wyght that meant ‘lively’, ‘active’ or ‘alert’. In the modern English language, the cognate of wyght is ‘Weight’, so the name Wyght can be interpreted as an occupational name meaning ‘Woodworker’ or ‘Wheelwright’.
The first recorded use of the name Wyght can be traced back to the 13th century in Lincolnshire, England. During this time, the name Wyght was used to refer to an individual skilled in the building and repair of carts, wagons and other wooden items. Aside from the assumed occupational origin, it is also possible that the name may have been taken on by an individual as a nickname, derived from the Middle English verbs of the same spelling and meaning.
The name Wyght is believed to have been fairly prevalent in medieval times, but there is limited evidence of its contemporary usage. However, it is known to be used as a surname particularly in locations in England such as Lincolnshire, Shropshire, and Northamptonshire. In terms of variations of the family name, Wyght, as seen in some ancient records, has been seen to vary slightly over time, such as Wight, Whyght, Wighte and Wyghte.
Order DNA origin analysisWyght: Where does the name Wyght come from?
The last name Wyght can be found in many countries around the world today. It is particularly common in countries with a Dutch, Flemish, and German influence. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the Midwest and East Coast, states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin.
In Europe, the name can be found in countries with Dutch, Flemish, and Germanic influences. It is also known to have a presence in England. In Northern Europe, the last name is especially found in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Austria, and Denmark.
Australia and New Zealand also have notable populations of people with the last name Wyght. In Australia, the majority of census records where Wyght is found are located in Victoria.
In terms of South and Central American nations, the last name Wyght is far less common. However, records indicate a few occurrences in Uruguay, Belize, and Venezuela.
In Asia, the name is not especially common. However, there have been a few occurrences reported in India and Pakistan.
In Africa, a few occurrences of the last name have been reported in South Africa.
In summary, the last name Wyght can be found today in many countries, primarily throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as some South American and Asian countries.
Variations of the surname Wyght
The surname Wyght is derived from the Old English word "wita" meaning "wise man." As such, it has numerous variants and spellings as well as different surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants include Wight, Wich, Wyche, Wheyt, Whet, Wit, Wite, Wyat Wicht, Wycht and Wyghte. In some cases, the surname may be spelled merely as ‘Wite’ or ‘Wight’.
In addition to these variants, there are several different surnames of the same origin, including Wightman, Wygman, Wygeman, Wygand, Wigand, Weighman, Wayman, Whittman, Weigand, and Wittman.
The variations are largely influenced by the regional spellings of the surname. For example, in the area of Yorkshire, the spelling of the surname was heavily influenced by its Scandinavian roots with the addition of a “gh” as an extra letter to the original spelling. In other areas, the surname is also spelled with an extra “e”.
This surname is also found in Germany and other countries in Northern Europe as the surname Witt. It is believed that this spelling is derived from the original Old Saxon form of the name, “wict”.
In the United States, the surname is generally spelled as “Wight” but there are other variations such as “Wycht” or “Wyght”.
Through the centuries, the spelling of the surname has evolved and changed over time, but all variants and spellings can be traced to the same origin, “wita”.
Famous people with the name Wyght
- Gareth Wyght: British actor, best known for his roles in the films Yesterday and The Kid Who Would Be King.
- Elizabeth Wyght: English author known for her children’s books, including ‘The Queen of the May’ and ‘The Tower of Light’.
- Sir Robert Wyght: English knight who served in the Hundred Years' War, rising to the rank of High Constable of France.
- Roger Wyght: British physicist and chemist who made important contributions to the understanding of the structure of matter.
- John Wyght: English scholar and clergyman of the 16th century, best known for his translations of Latin texts and publications.
- Edward Wyght: British doctor who played an important role in the development of modern medicine and scientific medicine.
- William Wyght: English navigator who served in Queen Elizabeth I’s military campaigns and took part in the circumnavigation of the globe in 1577-78.
- Dame Mary Wyght: British businesswoman and philanthropist of the late 19th century, best known for her work in the advancement of women’s rights.
- Oliver Wyght: English politician who served in the House of Commons and was active in the English Civil War.
- Catherine Wyght: Welsh poet and playwright of the 17th century, known for her work on the legend of Tristan and Iseult.