Surname Cartwright - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering My Roots: How an iGENEA DNA Test Unraveled the Unexpected Aspects of My Cartwright Heritage
As a Cartwright, my knowledge of ancestral lineage extended only to stories passed through generations. The iGENEA DNA test not only reinforced that but also unveiled unexpected facets of my heritage, substantially reshaping my self-understanding.
W. Cartwright
read moreCartwright: What does the surname Cartwright mean?
The surname Cartwright is of English origin and it is an occupational name. It is derived from Old English 'Craet' which means cart, and 'wyrhta' which means craftsman or maker. Essentially, the name Cartwright was bestowed upon individuals who were cart makers or wheelwrights. These individuals built or repaired carts and wagons. In historical times, it was a common practice for people to be named after their professions or craftsmanship, and it was a means of identifying individuals with their trade or skills, such as Baker, Smith, or Potter. Hence, Cartwright is a typical example of such occupational surnames. Today, Cartwright is not only a surname but has also been used as a given male name in some English-speaking countries. The transformation of a surname to a given name typically symbolises honour and respect for the family lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisCartwright: Where does the name Cartwright come from?
The last name Cartwright is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from Old English. It is an occupational surname referring to those who made carts and wagons, combining the words "cart" (from Old English cræt) and "wright" (from Old English wryhta), meaning "maker" or "worker".
This surname was first found in the county of Yorkshire, England, where the Cartwright family held a family seat from ancient times. Over the centuries, family members moved to other parts of the British Isles and overseas. Today, the surname is common in various forms across the English-speaking world.
In the United States, it is most common in Texas, California, and North Carolina according to U.S. census data. In the UK, Cartwright remains relatively common, particularly in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the West Midlands. In Canada, it is most common in Ontario. While variations of Cartwright are present in several other countries, it’s less common outside of English-speaking nations.
Variations of the surname Cartwright
The surname Cartwright is of English origin and is an occupational surname, which is derived from the Old English "craet" meaning cart, and "wryhta" meaning maker. It was originally given to those who made carts and wagons.
The name can appear with several variations due to differences in regional dialects, phonetics, and even different degrees of literacy in the past. These variations can include Cartright, Cartwrighte, Cartwrite, Cartwryght, and Kartwright among others.
Some sources suggest that surnames like Wright, Wainwright or Wheelwright might be related as they also denote occupations related to construction of transport devices and originated from the same root, "wryhta", meaning maker in Old English.
There are also surnames such as Charteris and Charters which might be linked to Cartwright through the "cart" element, as these surnames stem from a nickname for a charioteer or cart-driver.
Additionally, this surname has different versions in various languages, although they are not directly related. For instance, the German equivalent would be Wagenbauer and the French would be Charpentier. However, these versions do not have the same lineage as the English surname Cartwright.
Famous people with the name Cartwright
- Nancy Cartwright: An American actress and voice artist known for her role as Bart Simpson on the TV show "The Simpsons".
- Angela Cartwright: A British-born American actress primarily known for her roles in movies and television during the 1960s, specifically as Brigitta Von Trapp in 'The Sound of Music' and as Penny Robinson in 'Lost in Space'.
- Veronica Cartwright: An English-born American actress who has worked mainly in American film and television with a career spanning over six decades. She is primarily known for her roles in "The Birds" and "Alien".
- Bill Cartwright: A retired American professional basketball player who played for the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA. He later served as a coach in the NBA.
- Edmund Cartwright: An English inventor who patented the first power loom in the 18th century.
- Richard John Cartwright: A Canadian statesman and financier who served from 1873 to 1878 in the Canadian Cabinet.
- Peter Cartwright: A well-known Methodist Episcopal Church preacher and an opponent of Abraham Lincoln in an Illinois Congressional race.
- Justin Cartwright: A British novelist known for his book "In Every Face I Meet" which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.