WOTHERSPOON
Wotherspoon
The surname Wotherspoon is of Scottish origin and is believed to be derived from the Old English personal name ‘Walter’ combined with the word ‘spoon’. The name Walter is derived from the Germanic elements ‘wald’, meaning rule, and ‘heri’, meaning army. The surname Wotherspoon is thought to have originated as a descriptive name for an apothecary or someone who made or used spoons.
The Wotherspoon surname is most commonly found in Scotland and the United Kingdom, with notable concentrations in areas such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Fife. Over time, the surname has spread to other English-speaking countries, particularly to former British colonies such as Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Individuals bearing the Wotherspoon surname have made significant contributions to various fields, including academia, literature, and the arts. Notable people with the surname Wotherspoon include Scottish novelist and playwright Roddy Wotherspoon, and Australian biologist Dr. Jane Wotherspoon.
The Wotherspoon surname is an example of the rich tapestry of British surnames that reflect the country’s diverse cultural and linguistic heritage. It continues to be borne by individuals around the world, carrying with it a legacy of tradition and history.
There are approximately 1,800 people named Wotherspoon in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,596th most common surname in Britain. Around 28 in a million people in Britain are named Wotherspoon.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alexander
- Andrew
- Antony
- Colin
- David
- Iain
- Ian
- James
- John
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Catherine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Fiona
- Janet
- Jm
- Karen
- Margaret
- Marion
- Mary
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.