Shotwell
An English surname most likely built from a place-name or topographic phrase containing “shot” and “well,” though the exact origin is not certain.
The #9,181 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 86,897 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The name is probably English in form and may combine Middle English or Old English elements related to “shot” with “well,” suggesting either a spring or well associated with a projecting piece of land, a corner, or some local feature. Another possibility is that it comes from a now-lost or altered place-name rather than a straightforward descriptive phrase. Because the historical evidence is thin, the precise literal meaning cannot be stated with confidence.
History
The surname is established in English-speaking countries and is recorded in the United States by the 19th century. The historical excerpts provided do not give a true dictionary derivation, only incidental mentions, so the origin remains somewhat uncertain. In modern use it is uncommon but clearly settled as a hereditary family name.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The name is rare enough that a 2010 U.S. census ranking of 9,181 still represented only a few thousand bearers.
From the historical record
“Gains Stebbens, Wessel Brodmead, and Fregiet Patchin ; Messrs. Chillus Doty, Shivers Parker, and Frost Horton ; Mr. Shotwell Powell, Mr. ^Ie- dad Butler, Mr. Onesimus Mead, Mr. Orb a Chubb, Mr. Dolphin Stephenson, and Mr. Ferral C. I)i- ninny; also Mr. Didimus Thomas, who would have made a good chairman of a…”
— Suffolk Surnames (3rd ed.)