Wadsworth (surname)

Wadsworth is a surname of English origin. It is a locational surname, derived from a place name. There are several places in England named Wadsworth, primarily in Yorkshire, from which the surname likely originates.

The place name "Wadsworth" itself is derived from the Old English personal name "Wæddi" combined with "worth," meaning an enclosure or homestead. Thus, Wadsworth literally translates to "Wæddi's enclosure" or "Wæddi's homestead."

The surname Wadsworth is found in various parts of the English-speaking world, including England, the United States, Canada, and Australia, owing to migration patterns over centuries.

Notable people with the surname Wadsworth include:

• James Wadsworth (disambiguation): Several people named James Wadsworth.
• Oliver Wadsworth: (1760-1844), American merchant and public official.
• Charles Wadsworth: (1814-1882), American Presbyterian minister.

Variations of the surname may include Wadesworth or other slight alterations in spelling, reflecting regional pronunciations and transcription errors over time. Genealogical research is often necessary to trace specific family lineages with this surname.