Wheeler Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Wheeler last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the Wheeler last name
Meaning of the Wheeler last name: maker of wheels. Wheeler described a craftsman who made wheels, from Middle English whelere. Wheelwrights made the wheels for carts, wagons and mills, a skilled trade that needed knowledge of several woods. The name is concentrated in the south and west of England, especially in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. English Wheelers settled early in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and the name is among the 200 most common in America. Wheel-making was a separate craft from cart-making, and the two were often combined in the trade later called wheelwright. The surname is recorded from the 13th century as le Whelere. It is also found in Ireland, where some families came with English settlers in the 17th century. In the United States, Wheeler families spread west from New England into New York, Ohio and the Midwest.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Wheeler name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Wheeler name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Wheeler name FAQ
What does the Wheeler name mean?
Maker of wheels. Common variants include Wheler, Wheelwright, Whieldon.
Where does the Wheeler surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Wheeler coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Wheeler crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Wheeler coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.