Wells

Wells
Recorded in several spellings including Well, Wells, Welman, Wellman and Wellsman, this is an English surname. It has a number of possible origins - topographical, locational, or even job descriptive. If locational, it originates from any of the various places such as Well near Bedale in North Yorkshire, or Wells in the county of Norfolk and in Somerset. However spelt all derive from the pre 7th century word "waella" which describes not a well, but a spring, and probably one that was associated with a holy place. "Wells next the sea", in Norfolk is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Guelle". As a topographical surname it denotes residence at or by such a spring or well, as in Roger Attewell of the county of Sussex in the year 1200. This is also a surname that survives in modern times as Attwell. As an occupational name with the suffix "-man", this probably denoted somebody responsible for looking after the village spring, although not necessarily in any other way associated with the various places called Well or Wells. Early examples of church register recordings include Robert Wells, who was christened on January 7th 1557, at Christchurch Greyfriars, in the city of London, whilst Richard Wellman was recorded at St Georges Chapel, Hanover Square, Westminster, on March 1st 1730. Ann Wells, at the age of 15 years, was an early emigrant to the New World. She left London on the ship "Planter" in 1635, bound for Virginia Colony. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Toke de Wells. This was dated 1177, in the pipe rolls of the county of Norfolk, during the reign of King Henry 11nd of England, 1154 - 1189. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

Surnames reference. 2013.

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  • WELLS (H. G.) — Romancier, journaliste, auteur de nombreux ouvrages d’imagination, de vulgarisation scientifique ou de propagande politique, Wells fut une des figures les plus représentatives de l’Angleterre au début du XXe siècle. Son œuvre, très populaire de… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Wells — Wells, Herbert George Wells, Horace * * * (as used in expressions) Julia Elizabeth Wells Beadle, George Wells Brown, William Wells Llandrindod Wells Wells Fargo & Co. Wells, H(erbert) G(eorge) Wells, Ida B(ell) Ida Bell Wells Barnett …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Wells — Wells, NV U.S. city in Nevada Population (2000): 1346 Housing Units (2000): 633 Land area (2000): 6.881204 sq. miles (17.822237 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 6.881204 sq. miles (17.822237 sq.… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • WELLS — (Heb. בְּאֵר, be er, pl. בְּאֵרוֹת, once (Jer. 6:7) בָּיִר, perhaps rather to be read בֵּיר), shafts dug from the surface of the ground to the groundwater. They are of utmost importance in countries with limited rainfall, where springs and… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Wells, MN — U.S. city in Minnesota Population (2000): 2494 Housing Units (2000): 1097 Land area (2000): 1.350631 sq. miles (3.498119 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 1.350631 sq. miles (3.498119 sq. km) FIPS… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Wells, NV — U.S. city in Nevada Population (2000): 1346 Housing Units (2000): 633 Land area (2000): 6.881204 sq. miles (17.822237 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 6.881204 sq. miles (17.822237 sq. km) FIPS… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Wells, TX — U.S. town in Texas Population (2000): 769 Housing Units (2000): 333 Land area (2000): 1.913963 sq. miles (4.957141 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 1.913963 sq. miles (4.957141 sq. km) FIPS code:… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • wells — wells; wells·ian; wells·ite; …   English syllables

  • Wells|i|an — «WEHL zee uhn», adjective. of, having to do with, or characteristic of the writings of H. G. Wells (1866 1946), English author, especially his anticipation of future conditions …   Useful english dictionary

  • Wells — (spr. Uëlls), 1) Stadt in der englischen Grafschaft Somerset; gothische Kathedrale, Bischof, bischöflicher Palast, Rathhaus, Leder , Wollenwaaren , Spitzen , Papierfabriken, Seidenspinnerei; 5000 Ew. W. sendet zwei Mitglieder ins Unterhaus. In… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Wells [1] — Wells, 1) (früher W. next the Sea) Hafenstadt an der Nordküste der engl. Grafschaft Norfolk, mit einigem Handel, Austernfischerei und (1901) 2494 Einw. Dabei Holkham Hall, der fürstliche Landsitz des Grafen Leicester. – 2) Stadt (city) in… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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