CARTWIGHT
Cartwright
Cartwright is an English surname derived from the Old English words "carr" meaning rock and "wyrhta" meaning craftsman or wright. Therefore, the surname Cartwright is associated with a person who made carts or wagons. The surname is of occupational origin, and individuals with the last name Cartwright were likely wheelwrights or cart makers in medieval England.
The Cartwright surname was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was written during the reign of William the Conqueror. Over time, the name spread throughout England and became more common, particularly in the northern counties.
Famous individuals bearing the Cartwright surname include the English poet and hymn writer Edmund Cartwright, inventor of the power loom which revolutionised the textile industry. The name has also been adopted in literature, with the character Ben Cartwright featuring prominently in the popular American television series "Bonanza."
The Cartwright surname continues to be found in contemporary Britain and in countries where individuals of British descent have settled. It remains a testament to the skilled craftsmen and artisans of past generations.
There are approximately 36 people named Cartwight in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around one in a million people in Britain are named Cartwight.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Roger
Female
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.