WITHERS
Withers
Origin and Meaning: Withers is an English surname of occupational origin, derived from the Old English word "wither," meaning a wether or castrated ram. It was typically used as a nickname for someone perceived to be as strong or stubborn as a ram.
Distribution and Frequency: The Withers surname is most commonly found in the southern regions of England, particularly in counties such as Somerset, Devon, and Kent. It is a relatively uncommon surname, ranked 2559th in terms of frequency in the United Kingdom.
Notable Individuals:
- Bill Withers (1938-2020): An American singer-songwriter whose soulful hits, such as "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine," have left a lasting impact on music.
- Ernest Withers (1922-2007): A renowned African-American photojournalist known for his powerful images capturing key moments of the civil rights movement in the United States.
Heraldic Arms: The Withers family crest features a shield with a black background and three gold plates arranged in a diagonal pattern. Above the shield sits a knight's helmet adorned with a decorative mantling in gold and black.
Variants: Variants of the Withers surname include Witherspoon and Withersdale, highlighting the evolution and regional variations of the name over time.
There are approximately 9,287 people named Withers in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,015th most common surname in Britain. Around 143 in a million people in Britain are named Withers.
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
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- William
Female
- Caroline
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Jane
- Jean
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.