Surname Watkiss - Meaning and Origin
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Watkiss: What does the surname Watkiss mean?
The last name Watkiss is derived from the Old English name Watkyn', which is a variant form of the name Watt. In Middle English, the name became Watkin and in Old French it evolved to Watcyne.
The surname Watkiss is believed to have originally been a popular local name, referring to people from Watkin’s dwelling. Watkin is derived from the Old Scandinavian personal name "Wat", which means "power, strength, or bravery".
Watkiss is a topographical name from Old English which referred to a grove of trees, copse, or thicket of trees. It could also refer to a clearing in a wood which was given to an individual, such as a soldier or man-at-arms, which might have been granted in lieu of a pension or payment for services.
The Watkiss surname was first recorded in the 13th Century in Hertfordshire, England. Many members of the Watkiss family later migrated to the New World, and became some of the first settlers of the United States of America.
Today, Watkiss is a rare but still prominent surname found in the United Kingdom and across the world. Its origins around strength, power, and bravery continue to offer meaning to the descendants of the Watkiss family.
Order DNA origin analysisWatkiss: Where does the name Watkiss come from?
The last name Watkiss is mostly found in the UK, Europe, and Australia today. It is an English topographic surname, meaning a person who lived in a small valley or by a nook in the woods. This surname originated in Shropshire in the middle of the 13th century, and began to spread as people moved to different areas. Watkiss is still common as of today, but the frequency of the name is diminishing in certain areas.
Most people with the last name Watkiss are scattered throughout England, especially in the Midlands area, and also in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. There is also a significant population in the United States of America, where it was carried by British settlers during colonial times. In addition, Watkiss has spread to Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and some other parts of the world. Generally, it is a rare surname globally, but more common in regions with large British immigration or settlement.
The variant spellings of the last name Watkiss include Watkis, Watkins, Wattkins, Wattkiss, Waktass, and Walckis. Generally, these names are used interchangeably and mean the same. Still, there are some differences between Watkiss and the other variants - mainly the spelling - but the origin is the same.
Despite its diminishing presence, the last name Watkiss is still a part of the English language today. People with the same name often share a strong cultural and linguistic connection, and many are proud to carry the surname as a badge of honour.
Variations of the surname Watkiss
The Watkiss surname has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name Hvátikr, which is composed of the words hvát, which means "promise," and kr, which is a byname meaning "bold, brave." It is also related to the Anglo-Saxon personal name Watc, meaning "watchful."
Variations of Watkiss include Wakiss, Watkiss, Watches, Watchckes, Watcheson, Wokers, Waukins, W?Kers, W?Kiss, Watts, Walter, and Wotkyn.
In some countries, the surname Watkiss is sometimes spelled without the letter "e," which is known as the Celtic form. Variations of this form include W?tkiss, W?tkis, and W?tkss.
The surname is also closely related to the surnames Womersley, Wothasay, Watkin, Wittingham, Watson, Wattson, and Wicheson.
People with the surname Watkiss can be found in different parts of the world, including Britain, Europe, North America, and Australia. The variant form Watches can also be found in some parts of the United States.
In conclusion, the Watkiss surname has a number of different variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Wakiss, Watkiss, Watches, Watchckes, Watcheson, Wokers, Waukins, W?Kers, W?Kiss, Watts, Walter, Wotkyn, W?tkiss, W?tkis, and W?tkss, as well as closely related surnames such as Womersley, Wothasay, Watkin, Wittingham, Watson, Wattson, and Wicheson. It is most commonly found in Britain, Europe, North America, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Watkiss
- Katie Watkiss: Actress, model, and mental health advocate.
- John Watkiss: English comic book artist.
- Bob Watkiss: English football player.
- Dave Watkiss:American football player.
- Martin Watkiss: English actor and TV presenter.
- Frank Watkiss:English football player and manager.
- William Watkiss:English engineer and astronomer.
- Gordon M. Watkiss:English Royal Air Force officer.
- Albert Watkiss:English actor, singer and comedian.
- Nathaniel Watkiss:English musician and composer.