Surname Washburn - Meaning and Origin

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X. Washburn

Washburn: What does the surname Washburn mean?

The surname Washburn is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to be a geographical or topographical name. It is derived from an area near Weatherby in West Yorkshire, England, known as Washburn Valley.

The name Washburn could be broken down to two Old English words - 'weasc' which means washing, and 'burna' which refers to a stream or brook. Therefore, it could be interpreted to mean the brook where washing is done, or washing brook. The name is likely associated with individuals or families who lived near such a river or stream in medieval times.

Specifically, the name could have belonged to people living near a stream used to wash woolen, linen fabrics or perhaps, even for personal washing use, thus gaining the name 'Washburn'. Over time it evolved into a surname and was passed down through generations. Variations of the surname include Washbourne, Washborn, and Washburne. Like many surnames linked to locations or landscape features, the surname Washburn provides a glimpse into the very practical origins of surnames in early English history.

Washburn: Where does the name Washburn come from?

The last name Washburn is especially common in the United States and Great Britain, although it can be found throughout the world. Here in the United States, Washburn is most common in the Great Lakes region, the Midwest, and the Appalachian states. According to the map of the 2010 US Census, Washburn had its highest concentration in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Washburn is also very common in New England and Pennsylvania.

In England, the highest density of Washburn occurs in the North East along the Scottish border. Yorkshire has the highest concentration within England. When we go down to Wales, we find the majority of Washburn's in Glamorgan.

Further afield, Washburn is present in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Although it is less of a predominant surname, Washburns have spread their way around the world.

The origins of Washburn are quite varied, although the most predominant location thought to be the origin is Ireland. Within the United Kingdom, the surname came from a mixture of English, Scottish, and Irish citizens. It is also believed that Washburn was an Anglicization of the Irish and Scots-Gaelic surname MacGillbride.

Due to its wide range of origins, it is no surprise that Washburn is a relatively common last name today.

Variations of the surname Washburn

The surname Washburn has a variety of variants, spellings, and other surnames that can be derived from it. The Washburn surname is derived from the Old English personal name “Wæshboren,” which was composed of two elements: “wæsh” meaning “ford” and “boren” meaning “born.”

Common variants of Washburn include: Washbourne, Washbourn, Weshbourn, Weshbourne, Washburne, Wasbourn, Wasbournes, Wasborne, Wasbourn, Weshbourn, Weshbourne, etc.

Derivatives of Washburn include Wysbourn, Wisbourn, Wysbourne, Wisbourne, Wisebourne, Weysbourn, Weysbourne, Wausebourn, Wausebourne, etc.

Surnames that are similar to Washburn are: Wasson, Wasden, Walsham, Westham, Wassum, Wasso, Wassin, Waston, Wason, Wassal, Wasmund, and W Australia.

The Washburn family has a long and rich history, with its first documented burner in England believed to be John of Washburne in 1273 in Yorkshire, England. Since then, Washburns have spread all over the world, particularly to the United States, where the name has been recorded since the arrival of the Mayflower. Today, the Washburn surname can be found in various countries across the globe.

Famous people with the name Washburn

• Paula Washburn: An American executive and businesswoman who has served as the chief financial officer of many companies, including Nextel Communications.
• Rob Washburn: A former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1974 to 1981.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder: The author of the Little House on the Prairie books, which she wrote under the pen name of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
• Stephen A. Washburn: A California State Senator from 1978-2015 and a Los Angeles County Supervisor from 1975-1978.
• Bruce Washburn: An American classical mandolinist who is widely known for his jazz fusion and acoustic rock playing style.
• Bud Washburn: An American motion picture editor who was nominated for two Academy Awards for his work on "The Sand Pebbles" and "Bullitt".
• George Washburn: Founder of the George Washburn Guitar Company, a manufacturer of wooden stringed instruments.
• Danny Washburn: An American voice actor, best known for his roles in TV series such as JAG, Dragon Ball and X-Men: The Animated Series.
• Carl Washburn: A former American professional basketball player, who was a second round selection in the 1947 NBA draft.
• Dallas Washburn: An American singer-songwriter, who released several solo albums between 1975 and 2000.

Other surnames

Washburne