Surname Wilt - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Ancestral Strength in my Surname: My DNA Analysis Journey with iGENEA

A DNA analysis at iGENEA illuminated my understanding of the heritage and migration story of my surname, Wilt. Traced back to the brave Germanic tribes, the Wilt name embodies strength and resolve, instilling a sense of pride and deeper connection to my ancestors.

H. Wilt

Wilt: What does the surname Wilt mean?

The surname Wilt is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derived from a medieval personal name, 'Wild', or 'Wilde', which in turn was derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word 'wilde', meaning untamed or uncivilized. The surname may also be a locational one, linked to places named after the adjective 'wild'. These places include 'Wilde' in Westphalia or Lower Saxony in Germany. It could also be a topographical surname for a person who lived in or near a patch of uncultivated land. The frequency of the surname Wilt suggests that there could be several originating points. Variations of the surname include Wilde, Wildt, Wylde, Wylt, Wyld, and others. The first recorded spelling of the family name can be found as "Wildde" in 1199, in the rolls of Northumberland during the reign of King Richard 1.

Wilt: Where does the name Wilt come from?

The last name Wilt is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and East Coast. Specifically, the states of Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio have the highest concentration of people with the last name Wilt. According to the U.S. Census, the most incorporated places with the last name Wilt are rural areas such as Lasalle County in Illinois, as well as the borough of Bedford in Pennsylvania.

The last name Wilt is mainly of German origin. Records date the first immigration of Wilts in the early 1700s with migration occurring in waves up until the early 1900s. This suggests it is a relatively common surname, and although not as popular as names such as Jones and Smith, Wilt is still mentioned in many family trees.

The surname Wilt can be found in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Mexico as well, but the vast majority of people carrying the name live in the U.S. Wilt is used by many variations, such as Wilt, Wilts, and Wiltshire, but no matter the spelling the name originates from the Middle High German name Wilt.

In the present day, Wilt can be commonly found in realms of business, media, and sports. Former NBA player Charles "The Stilt" Wilt Chamberlain is the most well-known, with the basketball court in Philadelphia where he played being renamed to the Wilt Chamberlain court. Overall, the last name Wilt is dispersed throughout the world, but is especially prominent in the United States.

Variations of the surname Wilt

The surname Wilt has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spellings include Wilte, Wiltt, Wylte, and Wylt. These variants often originate from early medieval Germanic languages. Other variants include Wilit, Willett, Wyltes, and Wylts. These variants can also occasionally be found with suffixes like “er,” indicating “one from” or “descended from” a particular place.

Surnames of the same origin as Wilt can be found in a variety of countries. In the United States, Wiltsey is an occupational surname. In Germany, Wilt, Wildt, and Wilte are all common. In England, Wildte, Wiltshire, and Wiltshir are all found. In Switzerland, families with surnames such as Wylt, Wilte, Wylts, and Wylte can also be found.

Variants of the surname Wilt can also sometimes be found with prefixes. These prefixes often indicate patronymic origins and include Wilkes, Wilkins, Wilkin, Wiles, Wilks, Wilkinson, Wilke, Wilkerson, Wiltz, and Wiltse.

The surname Wilt has been altered over the centuries, leading to the variety of spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin that can be found throughout the world today.

Famous people with the name Wilt

• Wilt Chamberlain: Hall of Fame basketball player who is widely considered one of the greatest players in history. He was one of the pioneers of modern basketball and helped launch the NBA to a higher level of popularity.
• Amber Wilt: Entrepreneur and fashion designer who created the Bluestar clothing line in 2014.
• Kenny Wilt: Professional race car driver who has been racing since 1984. He has competed in NASCAR sanctioned events and was the winner of the 1995 Winston West Series championship.
• Courtney Wilt: Award-winning actress who is best known for her roles in “Little Women” and other feature films.
• Adam Wilt: Technology educator and author who has written books on digital video editing, color correction, and computer music production.
• Kyle Wilt: Professional tennis player who achieved a career-high ranking of 125 in 2012. He has represented the US in several Davis Cup series and has won several ATP Challenger Tour titles.
• Keith Wilt: Poet and novelist whose works include the novels “Negative Space” and “The Cataclysm Cope.”
• William Wilt: Educator and author who has authored numerous scholarly papers in the field of educational psychology.
• Patrick Wilt: Musician and composer who has released several music albums throughout the years, including “Dreams Of Aquamarine.”
• Mason Wilt: Professional ski racer and Olympic gold medalist in the giant slalom event of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Other surnames

WilWilamWilanskiWilanskyWilbankWilbanksWilberdingWilbersWilberscheidWilbertWilbertsWilbertzWilberzWilboldWilboltWilbornWilbourneWilbrandWilbrandtWilbrechtWilbrichtWilburnWilcekWilckeWilckenWilckensWilcksWilcocksWilcocksonWilcott