WILSHAW
Wilshaw
Wilshaw is a surname of English origin, primarily found in the West Midlands region of England. The name is believed to be locational, deriving from the village of Wilshaw in Yorkshire.
Origins
The village of Wilshaw is situated near the town of Holmfirth in West Yorkshire. It is thought that the surname Wilshaw originated from a person who hailed from this village or who lived near a place called Wilshaw. The name itself is a combination of the Old English words "wil" meaning "well" or "spring" and "shaw" meaning "wood" or "copse". Therefore, Wilshaw may signify a person who lived near a wooded spring.
Distribution
The Wilshaw surname is most commonly found in the West Midlands region of England, particularly in areas like Birmingham and Staffordshire. Over time, individuals with the surname Wilshaw have migrated to other parts of the United Kingdom and overseas, contributing to the dispersal of this surname.
Notable Bearers
Famous individuals with the surname Wilshaw include:
- Tom Wilshaw (b. 1980) - British actor known for his roles in theatre and television.
- Amy Wilshaw (b. 1995) - British novelist and poet, recipient of several literary awards.
- Dr. Elizabeth Wilshaw (1925-2016) - Renowned British historian specialising in medieval studies.
Variants
Variants of the Wilshaw surname include Willshaw and Wilsher, the latter being more commonly found in other regions of England.
The Wilshaw surname holds a place in British history and continues to be passed down through generations, serving as a reminder of its Yorkshire origins and the individuals who bear this distinctive name.
There are approximately 1,853 people named Wilshaw in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,480th most common surname in Britain. Around 28 in a million people in Britain are named Wilshaw.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- Guy
- Ian
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
- Stuart
Female
- And
- Christine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Felicity
- Fiona
- Helen
- Janet
- Karen
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan