Surname Witherspoon - Meaning and Origin
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DNA Discovery: An Emotional Journey into the Witherspoon Lineage with iGENEA
My journey with iGENEA and its DNA tests has been an emotional rollercoaster that restructured my understanding of the Witherspoon family lineage. From diverse European roots to ancient Norman connections, the DNA results shed light on a historical saga that redefined my sense of pride in my surname and family.
K. Witherspoon
read moreWitherspoon: What does the surname Witherspoon mean?
The last name Witherspoon is a surname with multiple possible origins, all of which can be traced back to Scotland.
One possible origin is from the Old English words “wiðer”, meaning “against”, and “spœn” or “spun”, meaning “spoon”. Taken together, this could mean that the original Witherspoon families were "Against the Spoon", or, more appropriately, had opposed making changes to the traditional ways of life. Alternatively, the words could represent a spoonmaker, one who had made spoons for a living.
Another possible origin for the surname comes from the Scottish Gaelic words “uath” and “dubhain” which translates to mean “dark water” or “black stream”. This could have sorted to families living near a dark or deep body of water, or simply acting as a nickname for someone with dark hair.
Many variations of the Witherspoon surname exist, from “Weatherspoon” in Scotland and "Whiterspoon" in Ireland, to "Witherspun" and "Withersoon" in the United States. Despite the many variations, all of these surnames still retain meaning and trace their roots back to Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisWitherspoon: Where does the name Witherspoon come from?
The last name Witherspoon is a fairly common last name across much of the United States and Canada.
In the U.S., it is especially concentrated in northern states, such as Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana. It is also found in the southern states of Georgia and Mississippi.
Witherspoon is also seen as a common last name in parts of Canada, particularly in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
The last name is derived from the Middle English phrase "witherspune," meaning "twig of a bearer or twig gatherer." Over time, the phrase evolved and eventually settled on the spelling of "Witherspoon."
The Witherspoon family is believed to have originated in Scotland during the 12th century, with the spelling of the name commonly seen being "Wotherspottin" or "Wotherspune." The family eventually made its way to North America in the mid-1700s, with records indicating that a Robert Witherspoon had arrived in South Carolina by 1754.
Today, the Witherspoon name is seen across North America - particularly in the U.S. and Canada - and is still seen as a common last name in many parts of these nations.
Variations of the surname Witherspoon
The surname Witherspoon is a patronymic surname of Scottish origin. It is derived from the given name Wither, which is derived from the Old Norse and Old English word 'wider', meaning 'willow tree'. It likely began as a topographical name for someone who lived near a willow tree or in a 'wider's tun', or a willow grove. Variants and spellings of this surname includes Witherspone, Wittersoane, Widdershoon, Widdershoune, Widderspune, Wederspoon, and Whitherspune, among others.
The surname Witherspoon is also commonly found, in various forms, in place names across England. These include Withersdown in Parbold, Lancashire; Widdershoven in Warrington; Witherspone in Grasmere; Withersham in Cambridge; and Wither'sbolton in Sedbergh.
Surnames with a similar origin include Withrop, Wistow, and Widmore. Other surnames of the same origin but with slight alterations include Widderspoon, Widderspoom, Wittersoom, Widdershane, and Wythershan.
While many of the spellings, variants, and surnames of Scottish origin have the name Witherspoon at the root, there are also a few which have evolved independently. These include Witherford, Widderdorf, Wytherdorf, Wythall, Widdall, and Wetherall. Other surnames may have had the name Witherspoon adapted or changed to suit local dialects.
In conclusion, the surname Witherspoon can have many spellings and variants as well as being found in various place names across England. There are also several surnames with a similar origin to Witherspoon such as Withrop, Wistow, and Widmore.
Famous people with the name Witherspoon
- Reese Witherspoon: She is an American actress, producer, and entrepreneur. She was at the forefront of the #MeToo movement, advocating for greater representation of women in films.
- John Witherspoon: He was an American actor, comedian, and author who starred in films such as Friday and The Wayans Brothers, and wrote the book Witherspoon on Society and Culture.
- Jim Witherspoon: He was an American jazz and blues singer who released several albums, including “Let the Good Times Roll,” “Mean Man Blues,” and “This Is My Country.”
- Phoebe Witherspoon: She is an American actress and model and is most known for her role in the hit television show Ally McBeal.
- Bob Witherspoon: He was an American musician best known for his influence on the Doo-Wop and R&B genres. He released several albums throughout his career.
- Brent Witherspoon: He is an American professional baseball player who is currently playing in the Major League. He has been playing with the Colorado Rockies since 2011.
- Larry Witherspoon: He is an American visual effects supervisor and producer. His credits include films such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Iron Man, and Thor.
- Maureen Witherspoon: She is an American Broadway actress and musical theatre director. She is most known for her roles in shows such as "Annie," "CATS," and “A Chorus Line.”
- Newton Witherspoon: He is an American television producer and director. His credits include shows such as “Law & Order” and “The Sopranos.”
- William Witherspoon: He is an American Country Music singer who rose to fame through his singles “This Is My Song” and “Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days).”