OTWAY
Otway
Otway is a distinguished British surname with noble origins. The name is derived from the Old English personal name Odo, meaning "wealth" or "fortune," combined with the suffix "-weg," indicating a pathway or road.
Origins
The Otway surname has been recorded in various parts of England, with notable concentrations in counties such as Devon, Norfolk, and Yorkshire. The name has been linked to several notable individuals throughout British history.
Notable Individuals
Thomas Otway (1652–1685), an English dramatist known for his plays, including Venice Preserv’d, which is considered a classic tragedy in English literature.
Captain Robert Otway (1770–1846), a British naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and later became a rear-admiral.
Modern Descendants
Today, individuals bearing the surname Otway can be found across the United Kingdom and in various parts of the world. The name continues to carry with it a sense of heritage and history, reflecting the legacy of those who have borne it in the past.
There are approximately 403 people named Otway in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Otway.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- Colin
- David
- John
- Joseph
- Kevin
- Mark
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stuart
- Thomas
Female
- Angela
- Catherine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Jessica
- Karen
- Lesley
- Louise
- Mary
- Simrit
- Susan