Wright

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the surname. For other uses, see Wright (disambiguation).
Wright
Origin
MeaningWorker, maker
Region of originEngland
Frequency comparisons[1]

Wright is an occupational surname originating in England.[1] The term 'Wright' comes from the circa 700 AD Old English word 'wryhta' or 'wyrhta', meaning worker or shaper of wood. Later it became any occupational worker[2][3] (for example, a shipwright is a person who builds ships), and is used as a British family name.

The word's use as an occupational title continued until the mid-19th century, often combined with other words such as in shipwright, wheelwright,[4] wainwright and playwright.[5] As of 2014, Wright was the eleventh most common surname in England.[1]

The word carpentier, now "carpenter", was introduced into England in the years after the Norman conquest in 1066 and slowly replaced the traditional name and meaning of wright in most of England. 'Wright' is still used in Scottish English in the original meaning of 'skilled woodworker'. The Incorporation of Wrights of the Trades House of Glasgow,[6] and the Incorporation of Wrights and Masons of Edinburgh Trades[7] retain the word in its original meaning in their role of promoting the woodworking trade.

Wright is also an anglicised version of the Scots Gaelic clan name "MacIntyre" or "Mac an t-Saoir", meaning "son of the wright" (son of the carpenter).[8][9][10] In Ireland, the native Gaelic Mac an Cheairt sept of County Mayo occasionally changed their name to Wright. This is a literal translation meaning, "son of the right or righteous".[11]

People with the family name[]

A[]

  • Aaron Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Abraham Wright (born 1984), American football player
  • Abraham Wright (deacon) (1611–1690), English theologian and deacon
  • Adam Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Adrian Wright (1947–2015), English-Australian actor
  • Al Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Albert Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Alexander Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Alexandra Wright, English rabbi
  • Alexis Wright (born 1950), Aboriginal Australian writer
  • Alexsandra Wright (born 1971), Canadian actress
  • Alfred Wright (1848–1909), Anglican priest
  • Alfred Wright (missionary) (1788–1853), American Presbyterian minister, missionary and doctor
  • Alice Wright (born 1994), English long-distance runner
  • Allen Wright (1826–1885), Choctaw chief credited with creating the name "Oklahoma"
  • Allen Wright (journalist) (1932–1997), Scottish arts critic and journalist
  • Almroth Wright (1861–1947), British microbiologist and immunologist
  • Alvin Wright (1961–2018), American football player
  • Ambrose R. Wright (1826–1872), American Confederate Army General
  • Amos Wright (1809–1886), Canadian politician
  • Amy Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Andre Wright (born 1996), English footballer
  • Andrew Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Andy Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Angela Wright, English businesswoman
  • Antoine Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Anthony Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Arin Wright (born 1992), American association football player
  • Aron Wright (1810–1885), American physician and educator
  • Arthur Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Ashley Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Austin Wright (disambiguation), multiple people

B[]

  • Bailey Wright (born 1992), Australian footballer
  • Barbara Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Barrie Wright (born 1945), English footballer
  • Barry Wright (born 1939), English footballer
  • Beals Wright (1871–1961), American tennis player
  • Beatrice Wright (1910–2003), American-born British politician
  • Beatrice Wright (psychologist) (1917–2018), American psychologist
  • Ben Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Benjamin Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Bernie Wright (born 1954), British footballer
  • Berny Wright (born 1979), Costa Rican footballer
  • Bert Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Bertie Wright (1871–1960), actor
  • Bertie Wright (cricketer) (1897–1955), English cricketer
  • Betsey Wright (born 1943), American political consultant
  • Betty Wright (1953–2020), American singer
  • Billy Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Blanche Fisher Wright (1887–1971), American illustrator
  • Bobby Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Bonnie Wright (born 1991), English actress
  • Bracey Wright (born 1984), American basketball player
  • Brad Wright (born 1961), Canadian television producer
  • Brad Wright (American football) (born 1959), American football player and coach
  • Brad Wright (basketball) (born 1962), American basketball player
  • Brandon Wright (born 1997), American football player
  • Brent Wright (born 1978), American basketball player
  • Brian Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Bruce A. Wright (born c. 1951), United States Air Force general
  • Bruce M. Wright (1917–2005), American jurist
  • Bryant Wright, American evangelical minister

C[]

  • Caleb Wright (1810–1898), English mill owner and politician
  • Caleb Merrill Wright (1908–2001), American judge
  • Cameron Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Carl Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Carol Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Carolyn Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Carroll D. Wright (1840–1909), American statistician
  • Casey Wright (born 1981), American horse trainer
  • Casey Wright (skier) (born 1994), Australian skier
  • C. Conrad Wright (Charles Wright, 1917–2011), American religious historian
  • Chad Wright (born 1991), Jamaican discus thrower
  • Chalky Wright (1912–1957), American boxer
  • Charles Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Chauncey Wright (1830–1875), American philosopher and mathematician
  • Chely Wright (born 1970), American singer
  • Chris Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Christopher Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Cindy Wright (born 1972), Belgian-American painter
  • Claire Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Clare Wright (born 1969), American-Australian historian
  • Claud William Wright (1917–2010), British paleontologist
  • Clay Wright, American kayaker
  • Cliff Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Clifford Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Clyde Wright (born 1941), American baseball player
  • Clyde J. Wright (1878–??), American editor and antisemite
  • Cobina Wright (1887–1970), American singer and actress
  • Cobina Wright Jr. (1921–2011), American singer and actress
  • Craig Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Crispin Wright (born 1942), British philosopher
  • C. S. Wright (Charles Wright, 1887–1975), Canadian Antarctic explorer
  • Cyril Wright (disambiguation), multiple people

D[]

  • Dale Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Damien Wright (born 1975), Australian cricketer
  • Dana Wright (born 1959), Canadian hurdler
  • Daniel Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Danny Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Dare Wright (1914–2001), Canadian writer
  • Darrell Wright (born 1979), American football player
  • Daunte Wright, African American man killed during an arrest
  • David Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Dean Wright (born 1962), American film director
  • Deborah Wright (born 1958), American corporate executive
  • Demetrius Wright (born 1991), American football player
  • Denny Wright (1924–1992), British guitarist
  • Derrick Wright (born 1928), British author
  • Dick Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Don Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Donald Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Dorell Wright (born 1985), American basketball player
  • Dorick M. Wright (1945–2020), Belizean prelate
  • Doug Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Douglas Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Drew Wright (born 1979), Canadian singer
  • Duncan Wright (born 1940), Australian rules footballer
  • Dunky Wright (1896–1976), Scottish runner
  • Dwayne Wright (born 1983), American football player
  • Dwayne Wright (footballer) (born 1989), Caymanian footballer

E[]

  • E. M. Wright (1906–2005), British mathematician
  • Ed Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Edgar Wright (born 1974), English film director
  • Edna Wright (1945–2020), American singer
  • Edward Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Edwin Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Edythe Wright (1916–1965), American singer
  • Elizabeth Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Elizur Wright (1804–1885), American mathematician and abolitionist
  • Emily Wright (born 1980), American songwriter
  • Eric Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Erik Olin Wright (1947–2019), American sociologist
  • Ernest Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Ernie Wright (1939–2007), American football player
  • Ernie Wright (footballer) (1912–??), English footballer
  • Esther Clark Wright (1895–1990), Canadian historian
  • Ethel Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Eugene Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Evan Wright (born 1966), American writer

F[]

  • Farnsworth Wright (1888–1940), American editor
  • Fielding L. Wright (1895–1956), American politician
  • Finbar Wright (born 1957), Irish singer-songwriter
  • Fiona Wright (born 1983), Australian poet
  • Frances Wright (1795–1852), British-American lecturer
  • Francis Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Frank Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Franz Wright (1953–2015), American poet
  • Fred Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Frederick Wright (disambiguation), multiple people

G[]

  • Gabe Wright (born 1992), American football player
  • Gary Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Gavin Wright (born 1943), American economist and historian
  • Gavin Wright (cricketer) (born 1973), English cricketer
  • Gavyn Wright, British violinist
  • Gearld Wright (1933–2002), American politician
  • Geoff Wright (born 1930), English footballer
  • Geoffrey Wright (born 1959), Australian director
  • George Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Gerald Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Gerry Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Gillian Wright (born 1960), British actress
  • Ginny Wright (born 1933), American singer
  • Glenn Wright (1901–1984), American baseball player
  • Gordon Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Graham Wright (born 1968), Australian rules footballer
  • Greg Wright (born 1979), English cricketer
  • Gregory Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • G. V. Wright (born 1943), Irish politician

H[]

  • H. Wright (cricketer), New Zealand cricketer
  • Hamilton Wright (1867–1917), American physician
  • Harold Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Harriet G. R. Wright (1845–1928), American politician
  • Harry Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Heather Wright (born 1950), English actress
  • Hector Wright (born 1969), Jamaican footballer
  • Helena Rosa Wright (1887–1982), English family doctor
  • Henrietta Christian Wright (1852–1899), American children's author
  • Henry Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Herbert Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Hiram A. Wright (1823–1855), American politician
  • Horatio Wright (1820–1899), American general
  • Hugh Wright (born 1938), English schoolmaster
  • Hugh E. Wright (1879–1940), French actor
  • H. W. Wright, English cricketer

I[]

  • Ian Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Iain Wright (born 1972), British politician
  • Imogen Wright, South African software developer
  • Irene Aloha Wright (1879–1972), American historian
  • Isaac Wright (1760–1832), American investor
  • Isaac Wright Jr. (born 1962), American lawyer
  • Isaiah Wright (born 1997), American football player

J[]

  • J. Skelly Wright (1911–1988), American circuit and district judge
  • Jack Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Jackie Wright (1905–1989), British comedian
  • Jackie Wright (footballer) (1926–2005), English footballer
  • Jaguar Wright (born 1977), American singer
  • Jake Wright (born 1986), British football player
  • James Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Jamey Wright (born 1974), American baseball player
  • Jamie Wright (born 1976), Canadian ice hockey player
  • Janet Wright (1945–2016), Canadian actress
  • Jason F. Wright (born 1971), American author and speaker
  • Jason Wright (born 1982), American football player, businessman, and executive
  • Jared Wright, American editor and cartoonist
  • Jaret Wright (born 1975), American baseball player
  • Jarvis T. Wright (1830–1886), American businessman and politician
  • Jay Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Jeffrey Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Jennifer Wright (born 1986), American author
  • Jeremy Wright, English politician
  • Jeremiah Wright, American pastor
  • Jermaine Wright (born 1975), English footballer
  • Jerry Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Jessica Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Jim Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • J. J. Wright, American disc jockey
  • Jocky Wright (1873–1946), Scottish footballer
  • Joe Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Joel Wright (born 1980), Canadian football player
  • John Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Jon Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Jonathan Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Jordan Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • José Roberto Wright (born 1944), Brazilian football referee
  • Joseph Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Josh Wright (born 1989), English footballer
  • Josh Wright (footballer, born 1988) (born 1988), English footballer
  • Joshua Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Joyce Wright (1922–2020), British singer and actress
  • Judith Wright (1915–2000), Australian poet
  • Jules Wright (1948–2015), Australian theatre director
  • Julia McNair Wright (1840–1903), American writer
  • Julia M. Wright (born 1964), Canadian academic
  • Julian Wright (born 1987), American basketball player
  • Justin Wright (1981–2008), American artist
  • Justine Wright, New Zealand film editor

K[]

L[]

  • Lammar Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Larry Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Lawrence Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Laura Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Lee Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Len Wright (1906–1967), American politician and businessman
  • Leo Wright (1933–1991), American jazz musician
  • Leonard Wright (1555/1556–1591), English essayist
  • Leroy Wright (1938–2020), American basketball player
  • Levi Wright (1862–1953), English footballer and cricketer
  • Liam Wright (born 1997), Australian rugby union footballer
  • Linda Wright (born 1950), British politician
  • Liza Wright, American politician
  • Lizz Wright (born 1980), American singer
  • Lloyd Wright (1890–1978), American architect
  • Logan Wright (1933–1999), American psychologist
  • Lorenzen Wright (1975–2010), American basketball player
  • Lorenzo Wright (1926–1972), American athlete
  • Louis Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Lowell Wright (born 2003), Canadian soccer player
  • L. R. Wright (1939–2001), Canadian writer
  • Lucilla Wright (born 1979), English field hockey player
  • Lucy Wright (1760–1821), American religious figure
  • Luke Edward Wright (1846–1922), American politician
  • Luke Wright (born 1985), English cricketer
  • Luther Wright (born 1971), former basketball player
  • Lyle Wright (1898–1963), Canadian-American ice hockey player

M[]

  • Mack V. Wright (1894–1965), American actor and director
  • Major Wright (born 1988), American football player
  • Manuel Wright (born 1984), American football player
  • Marc Wright (1890–1975), American pole vaulter
  • Marcus Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Margaret Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Marian Wright Edelman (born 1939), American lawyer
  • Marie Robinson Wright (1853–1914), American journalist
  • Mark Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Martha Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Martin Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Mary Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Mary Ann Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Matthew Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Mauricio Wright (born 1970), Costa Rican footballer
  • Max Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Megan Wright (born 1981), Canadian long-distance runner
  • Micah Wright (born 1974), American writer
  • Michael Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Michelle Wright (born 1961), Canadian singer
  • Mickey Wright (1935–2020), American golfer
  • Milton Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Muriel H. Wright (1889–1975), American author and historian

N[]

  • N. T. Wright (born 1948), English theologian
  • Nate Wright (born 1947), American football player
  • Nathan Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Nathaniel Wright (1785–1858), American businessman and politician
  • Nicholas Wright (disambiguation), multiple people

O[]

P[]

  • Pamela Wright (born 1964), Scottish golfer
  • Patricia Wright (born 1944), American primatologist
  • Patricia Wright (actress) (born 1921), American actress
  • Patrick Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Paul Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Peter Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Philemon Wright (1760–1839), Canadian farmer
  • Philip Wright (disambiguation), multiple people

Q[]

  • Quincy Wright (1890–1970), American political scientist

R[]

  • Ralph Wright (1908–1983), American animator
  • Ralph Wright (footballer) (1947–2020), English footballer
  • Randy Wright (born 1961), American football player
  • Rashad Wright (born 1982), American basketball player
  • Rasty Wright (outfielder) (1863–1922), American baseball player
  • Rasty Wright (pitcher) (1895–1948), American baseball player
  • Ray Wright (1918–1987), English footballer
  • Raymond Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Rebecca Wright (1947–2006), American ballet teacher
  • Richard Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Ricky Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Robert Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Robin Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Rodney Wright (born 1979), American football player
  • Rodney Wright (Australian footballer) (born 1960), Australian rules footballer
  • Roger Wright (music administrator) (born 1956), British music administrator
  • Roger Wright (born 1974), American pianist
  • Ronald Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Rosemarie Wright (1931–2020), English pianist
  • Ross Wright (born 1952), Australian rules footballer
  • Ross Wright (rugby union) (born 1986), New Zealand rugby union footballer
  • Roy Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Ruby Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Ruggles Wright (1793–1863), Canadian lumber merchant
  • Russel Wright (1904–1976), American industrial designer
  • Ryan Wright (born 1991), English rugby league footballer

S[]

  • Samuel Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Sara Wright (born 1969), Bermudian sailor
  • Sarah Wright (born 1983), American actress
  • Sarah E. Wright (1928–2009), American writer
  • Scooby Wright (born 1994), American football player
  • Scott Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Sewall Wright (1889–1988), American biologist
  • Shane Wright (born 1996), Australian rugby union footballer
  • Shannon Wright, American singer-songwriter
  • Shannon Wright (illustrator) (born 1994), American cartoonist
  • Shaun Wright (born 1968), British politician
  • Silas Wright (1795–1847), American politician
  • Simon Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Sophie Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Stephanie Wright, American politician
  • Stephen Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Steven Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Stuart Wright (born 1950), English rugby league player
  • Stuart A. Wright (born 1951), American professor
  • Stuart Pearson Wright (born 1975), English artist
  • Susan Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Sydney Fowler Wright (1874–1965), English writer
  • Syreeta Wright (1946–2004), American singer-songwriter

T[]

  • Ted Wright (1913–1983), American football player
  • Teresa Wright (1918–2005), American actress
  • Terry Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Theodore Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Thomas Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Tim Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Timothy Wright (1947–2009), American singer and pastor
  • T. J. Wright (born 1983), American football player
  • T. M. Wright (1947–2015), American writer
  • Todd Wright, American sports broadcaster
  • Todd Wright (musician), American music composer
  • Tom Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Tommy Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Tony Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Tremaine Wright, American politician
  • Turbutt Wright (1741–1783), American planter and politician
  • Tyler Wright (born 1994), Canadian ice hockey player

V[]

W[]

  • Wallace Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Walter Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Warren Wright (1893–1962), American politician
  • Wayne D. Wright (1916–2003), American jockey
  • Wayne P. Wright (born 1951), American bishop
  • Wendy Wright, American activist
  • Wesley Wright (born 1985), American baseball player
  • Whitaker Wright (1846–1904), English businessman
  • Wilbur Wright (1867–1912), American airplane inventor
  • William Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Willie Wright (disambiguation), multiple people
  • Wilmer Cave Wright (1868–1951), British-American philologist
  • Winky Wright (born 1971), American boxer

Z[]

Fictional entities[]

  • George Wright, a character in the Netflix series Grand Army
  • Pastor Leon Wright, a character in The Returned (U.S. TV series)
  • Phoenix Wright, a defense attorney in the Ace Attorney video game series
  • Seth Wright, press secretary in Netflix's 2016 series Designated Survivor
  • Trucy Wright, a character in the Ace Attorney video game series
  • Vivian Wright, a character in the Dream Team TV series

See also[]

  • Cartwright (disambiguation)
  • Sophie B. Wright Charter School
  • S. S. Van Dine, American writer, also known as Willard Huntington Wright
  • Von Wright
  • Wainwright (disambiguation)
  • Wheelwright (disambiguation)
  • Wright (disambiguation)

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Wright Surname at Forebears
  2. ^ Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary. ISBN 0-87779-338-7.
  3. ^ Harrison, Henry (1969). Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary. 2. Genealogical Publishing Company. p. 311.
  4. ^ Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights
  5. ^ "Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd Edition, Version 4.0 (Windows & Mac)".
  6. ^ Incorporation of Wrights of the Trades House of Glasgow
  7. ^ Incorporation of Wrights and Masons of Edinburgh Trades
  8. ^ MacIntyre at Scotweb Clan
  9. ^ MacIntyre Clan myth
  10. ^ Clan MacIntyre Association
  11. ^ http://www.libraryireland.com/names/maca/mac-an-cheairt.php
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