First found in Norfolk, where the name appeared in the mid-12th century. The Wheat name has several possible Origins. The most obvious is that it is a metonymic occupational name and that the first bearer was a wheat farmer. Another possibility is that it was originally a nickname for someone who ate a lot of wheat or who bore some resemblance to wheat, perhaps in hair color. Still another possibility is that the name is completely unrelated to wheat, coming instead from the old English word hwoet, which meant active, bold or brave.

 More

More about the Wheat History...

Please remember that this page is only a small extract of our complete history that includes:

• Ancient origin of the name (usually pre-1100)
• Known spelling variations
• Early movement of the family name during the Middle Ages
• Noteworthy bearers from the 1500-1600s
• First settlers to North America
• Notable contemporary bearers of the name
• A description and/or full color picture of the Coat of Arms, Crest, and Motto (where available)

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Joshua Wheat, who arrived in New England in 1635; at the young age of 17; as well as Moses Wheat, who arrived there seven years later, in 1642. Further North, in what was to become Canada, Solo Wheat arrived in Nova Scotia in 1760..

For more information on the last name Wheat, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.