Surname Wylde - Meaning and Origin
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Wylde: What does the surname Wylde mean?
The surname Wylde is of Anglo-Saxon origin. In Old English, it was derived from the elements "wild force," which meant "the wild" or "wild land". A wilde was a name for someone who lived in or near such a place. Over time, the name Wylde came to denote someone who was strong or brave, and often associated with hunting, fighting, and adventures.
In England, the Wylde family was first found in Norfolk, where they had been settled since early times, and they held a family seat for several centuries. The Wyldes formed part of the aristocracy throughout the Middle Ages. During the reigns of Edward III and Henry VIII, the Wylde family prospered, and many members of the clan held lands and estates in the counties of Middlesex, Essex, and London.
The Wylde family was also prominent in Ireland, where some members of the clan settled in the 16th century. A branch of the family came to America in the 1700s, and the Wylde surname is fairly common in the United States today.
Overall, the surname Wylde is known to denote strength and courage, and is strongly associated with hunting, fighting, and adventures. Though today the Wylde family might not be as prominent as it once was, the name continues to be a popular surname worldwide.
Order DNA origin analysisWylde: Where does the name Wylde come from?
The last name Wylde is most commonly found today among individuals living in the United Kingdom. According to the British Surnames report, Wylde is the 10,266th most common surname in England. It's slightly more common in Wales, coming in at 4,953rd. In Scotland it's less common, ranking 18,500th.
The last name Wylde has been found in records as far back as 1066 in the Domesday Book, an historically significant survey of England and Wales. During the Middle Ages, the Wylde family was fairly prominent in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Wylde is also an anglicized version of a Gaelic surname. It is derived from the word "willed," which means wild. This could be an allusion to the family's ancestors being wild and untamed, warriors, or explorers.
Every generation of the Wylde family added to its many layers of history, and it is today considered a distinct and proud family name. Wylde has been passed from father to son, and from daughter to son, for centuries, and is found throughout England, the U.K., and the world.
Variations of the surname Wylde
The surname Wylde is considered to be of Norman-French origin and it is one of the many variations of the name Wild. Other spellings and variants of this surname include Wyld, Wild, Wilde, Wyldes, Wylly, guile, Wyld, Wildes, Wilds, Wilde, Willde, Wyllde, and Wilder.
The earliest record of the Wylde surname can be traced back to the 12th century when it was spelled as "Uuile" or "Wile". The spelling of the name has since changed several times becoming Wilde, Wild, Wylde, etc. during different periods of history.
The name Wylde is often found in records from England and Scotland but there are also records of the surname present in Ireland too.
Variations of the Wylde surname are most commonly found in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Australia, the United States, and Canada. It is also found in countries such as Germany, France, and Spain, where it is spelled Wild.
The alternative spelling of Wylde is also found among different cultures, such as Hindu, Arabic, and Jewish communities. The spelling of the surname has varied depending on the country of origin and the particular time period, the different spellings being adopted by the different families of the Wildes.
Though the origin of the surname is believed to be Norman-French, it is possible that the name Wylde may have evolved from other languages too. Whether the surname is in fact Norman-French, or was derived from some other language, the spelling, variants and surname derivatives of Wylde remain a mystery.
Famous people with the name Wylde
- Zakk Wylde: musician, songwriter and record producer best known as the former lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Ozzy Osbourne, as well as for his work with his own band Black Label Society.
- Keegan Wylde: Canadian actor best known for his role as Rocco in Schitt’s Creek, Dark Discussions, and Ori in 21 Thunder.
- Laurence Wylde: English radio DJ and podcast presenter currently working for BBC Radio 6 Music.
- William Wylde: British actor who has appeared in several television shows, including King Arthur and the Knights of Justice and Hit the Road Jack.
- Edie Wylde: American artist, illustrator, and designer known for her work in the field of design and photography.
- Callum Wylde: British musician and former frontman of the pop punk band, The Motives.
- Joe Wylde: British comedian and radio presenter, currently presenting his show The Joe Wylde Show on the online station Battle Kast Radio.
- Genevieve Wylde: American actress, best known for her role in the film Poltergeist.
- Joanna Wylde: American author best known for writing the Reaper series.
- Michael Wylde: British actor who has starred in such films as Contact, Swordfish, The Bank Job, and RocknRolla.