Ellsworth (surname)

Ellsworth is a surname with origins in England. It is a locational surname, derived from a place name. The place name itself is believed to originate from the Old English personal name "Ælfweard" (meaning "elf guard" or "noble guard") combined with "worþ" (meaning "enclosure," "homestead," or "farm"). Therefore, Ellsworth signifies "Ælfweard's enclosure" or "the homestead of Ælfweard."

The name can be found primarily in England and the United States. Like many surnames, variations in spelling may exist, though they are typically less common.

People bearing the surname Ellsworth have contributed to various fields, including politics, law, science, and the arts. Oliver Ellsworth, a Founding Father of the United States and the third Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is a notable historical figure with this surname.