WENTWORTH
Wentworth
Wentworth is an ancient English surname of locational origin, deriving from the Old English words 'wenta' meaning "sharp" and 'worth' meaning "enclosure" or "homestead". The name likely originates from several places across England named Wentworth, the most notable being Wentworth in South Yorkshire.
History
The Wentworth family played a significant role in English history, particularly during the medieval and Tudor periods. They were a powerful noble family who held various prominent titles and estates. One of the most famous figures with the surname Wentworth was Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, a statesman and advisor to King Charles I during the 17th century.
Distribution
The surname Wentworth is most commonly found in regions with historical connections to the Wentworth family, such as Yorkshire and the surrounding areas. Over time, descendants of the Wentworth family have spread across the United Kingdom and beyond, leading to a wider distribution of the surname.
Variants
Variants of the Wentworth surname include variants such as Wenthworth, Wentforth, and Wentword.
Notable Bearers
- Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford (1593–1641) - English statesman.
- Paul Wentworth (b. 1985) - British actor.
- Judith Wentworth (1920-2004) - British author and historian.
References
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 1,063 people named Wentworth in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,040th most common surname in Britain. Around 16 in a million people in Britain are named Wentworth.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- David
- Ian
- James
- Joe
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Stephen
Female
- Claire
- Clare
- Emma
- Helen
- Helga
- Jillian
- Joanne
- Karen
- Lauren
- Patricia
- Ruth
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria