Walcott
A place-based surname meaning “from Walcott/Walcot,” taken from several English villages and manors.
The #7,641 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 71,041 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Walcott is a locational surname from one of several English places called Walcott or Walcot. The place-name is generally explained from Old English elements meaning either “Britons’ cottage” or, in some cases, “foreigners’ cottage,” though the exact local sense can vary by site. The final element is Old English cte, “cottage” or “shelter,” a very common ending in English place-names.
History
The name is associated with places in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Somerset, Worcestershire, and elsewhere, and medieval records show early forms such as de Walecot. Lower noted that an eminent family traced the surname to Walcot in Shropshire, and the surname later appears in a number of English parish registers. In modern times Walcott is also found as a settled family name beyond Britain, especially in English-speaking countries.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The surname can point to more than one original village, so different Walcotts may not share the same exact geographic ancestor.
From the historical record
“ferred to in a spurious charter ('Cart. Sax.' no. 22) as 'Walcote super Humbram.' Walcott, Norf., was Walecot in the 13th cent. Walcot, Wore, was Walecot in the 1 2th cent. The Warw. Walcot was Walecote in Domesday-Bk. WALD (Teut.) Power, Might [f. O.E.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)