Surname Elwick - Meaning and Origin
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Elwick: What does the surname Elwick mean?
The last name Elwick is of English origin, and it is believed to be a habitational name derived from a place called Elwick in North Yorkshire. This place name is formed of two parts - the Old English word Ela or Elwa, which means swan or "flooded meadow", and wic, meaning "dwelling place". This is thought to suggest a meaning of “dwelling place by the swan”.
The name Elwick can be found in records as early as 1282, when a Thurstan de Elwike appears in the Pipe Rolls of that year. Over time, the name steadily spread across England and ultimately into other parts of the world with British immigrants. The Elwick spelling is most commonly found in Lancashire, while variants of the name, such as Elwicks and Elwyck, are more commonly found in Yorkshire and London.
Today, Elwicks are scattered across the world, with large numbers in England, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and beyond. While no specific coat of arms has been created for the Elwick name, several general versions of a swan-inspired crest have been used by different branches of the Elwick family. This includes a swan with a spread-wing positioned on a shield of red and gold, a common English family crest, which is believed to be a reference to the original meaning of the family’s name.
Order DNA origin analysisElwick: Where does the name Elwick come from?
The last name Elwick is not commonly found around the world today. Research indicates that it is primarily found in specific regions of England such as Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Northumberland. Although the exact origin of the surname is unknown, it is believed to be either a descriptive name meaning "dweller at the elm wood" or it may have derived from a place name.
In the UK, Elwick can be found mostly in its originating counties. This includes counties such as Derbyshire, Cumbria, Cornwall, and Herefordshire. The surname can also be found in the US, primarily in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Matches for Elwick have also been found in Canada, primarily in Ontario.
Given how rare the last name is in comparison to more common surnames in England, it is likely to trace back to the mid to late 16th century. The name could have been bestowed to individuals during this time, as a descriptive surname based on the geographical location in which they lived.
The last name Elwick is not heavily populated worldwide, but it is reasonably present in specific regions of the United Kingdom and the United States. It is a rare surname that is likely to have originated in England or perhaps Scotland.
Variations of the surname Elwick
The surname Elwick is thought to be of English origin, derived from the Old English 'elc' meaning alder tree, and 'wic' meaning a settlement or dwelling. As such, variants and other spellings of this surname include Alwick, Elig, Eligh, Ellig, Ellick and Ellicke. Within census records, spellings can vary immensely, as enumerators often recorded how names were spoken, rather than writing them down phonetically.
The surname can also occur with various double barreled combinations, such as: Elwick-Keen, Elwick-Davies, Elwick-Green and Elwick-Jackson. All of these contain the Elwick surname component.
Variations upon variants include Halwick, Hillwick, Elvick, Elweck and Elwincks, some of which stem from incorrect transcription, or being passed down as a German form of this surname. This is due to the fact that the Germanic root 'el' meaning 'elm' is a close relative of 'elc', the root for the Elwick surname.
Additional peculiarities of this surname occur with those having been anglicised from the original form, so, for example, the Old English would often be abbreviated to Elwe. Further mathematical surnames can also be found, such as Elwicko and Elwicke, both of which derived from Polish roots.
In conclusion, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Elwick, are numerous and varied, stemming from its Old English roots, and many having occurred through transcription error, or with anglisiation or Germanic forms of the root.
Famous people with the name Elwick
- Lia Elwick: Lia Elwick is a professional ballroom dancer, specialising in Latin American styles. She has competed in some of the most prestigious competitions in the world and is part of the team “Team Holland”.
- Donald Elwick: Donald Elwick is a former American football player, who had a successful career at Clemson University and then the University of South Carolina. He also played in two NFL teams, having won the Super Bowl with the Minnesota Vikings.
- Cassie Elwick: Cassie Elwick is an American actress, who has worked in numerous television shows, including CSI, The Closer and Six Feet Under. She also has appeared in films like The Measure of a Man and Lincoln Heights.
- David Elwick: David Elwick is an English rock musician, who first gained fame as part of the group Department S. He also released two solo albums in the 1980s, and is currently a successful songwriter and record producer.
- Clare Elwick: Clare Elwick is an up-and-coming Australian fashion designer, who has been featured in Elle Magazine and the popular web series Skinshe. She is the founder of the fashion label “Rainbow Revolution” and is already a fashion sensation in Australia.
- William Elwick: William Elwick is a businessman and investor, who has a background in finance and accounting. He is the founder and CEO of the investment firm Elwick Capital, and has appeared on various television networks as a guest commentator.
- Jaden Elwick: Jaden Elwick is a professional skater, who competes in both the X Games and other extreme sports events. He has sponsored by several brands, such as Nike and Converse, and is an ambassador for the skateboarding lifestyle.