Last Name Welsh

The surname "Welsh" is of English and Scottish origin. It originally denoted someone who was from Wales, a country located on the west coast of Great Britain. In Old English, Wales was referred to as "Wealas," which means "foreigner" or "stranger." Over time, this term came to be associated with people from Wales, and eventually became a surname. The name was also brought to Scotland by settlers from England, where it remains common today.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Welsh

The meaning and origin of the last name Welsh

The surname Welsh originates from a geographical source, specifically referencing individuals who were native to Wales, a country located on the western coast of Great Britain. The name is an anglicized form of the Old Welsh term "Cymro," which means "Welshman" or "of Wales." Over time, as many people from Wales migrated to other parts of the world, particularly during the Middle Ages and later periods, the surname Welsh became a common last name among families with Welsh ancestry. Today, it remains a popular surname in countries that have historical ties to Wales, such as England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Geographical distribution of the last name Welsh

The surname Welsh is predominantly found in regions with historical ties to Wales, a country that is now part of the United Kingdom. A significant number of people with this surname reside in Wales itself, particularly in areas such as South Wales and West Glamorgan. Outside of Wales, the distribution of the name Welsh is relatively widespread due to migration, with notable concentrations in England, especially in regions bordering Wales like the West Midlands and North West England. In the United States, the highest number of individuals bearing the name Welsh can be found primarily in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California, which have a history of Welsh immigration during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Additionally, there are communities of Welsh descent in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Variants and spellings of the last name Welsh

The surname Welsh can have several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and pronunciation over time. Here are some common versions:

* Welsh: This is the most common spelling, which originates from Wales, a country located on the west coast of Great Britain.
* Welsch: A variant of Welsh that is more common in German-speaking regions and means the same as Welsh in English.
* Welshman: A term used to refer to a person who comes from Wales or has Welsh ancestry, but not necessarily as a surname.
* Welchs: An alternative spelling for the plural form of "Welch," which is another variant of Welsh.
* Woolsch: A less common variation that might be found in some records or genealogical databases.
* Welsch-Schneider: A compound surname formed by combining the surnames Welsch (or a similar variation) and Schneider, which means tailor in German.
* Welsh-Jackson: Another compound surname, this time formed by combining Welsh with Jackson, a surname of English origin meaning son of Jack or John.
* O'Welsh: An Irish variant of the name, where the "O" indicates it is an anglicized version of an Irish Gaelic name that originally began with the prefix "Ó," which means descendant of. In this case, it would mean a descendant of someone with Welsh origins.
* de Welsh: A French-style patronymic surname meaning son of Welsh, where "de" is a preposition meaning "of."
* McWelsh: An anglicized version of the Scottish Gaelic surname Mac Ghualais, which also means son of Welsh.
* MacWelsch: Another Scottish Gaelic variation that follows the same meaning as above.

Famous people with the last name Welsh

Notable individuals with the surname Welsh include:

1. David Welsh (born 1968), an American professional ice hockey goaltender who played for teams such as the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Rangers.
2. John C. Welsh (1903-1964), a United States Army general who served during World War II and was awarded the Medal of Honor.
3. Rhys Ifans (born 1967), a Welsh actor known for his roles in films like Notting Hill, The Phantom Menace, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
4. Richard M. Welsh (1896-1959), an American general who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the Korean War.
5. Stephen F. Welsh (born 1995), a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Celtic and the Scotland national team.
6. Tom Welsh (born 1993), an American basketball player who played college basketball at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before being drafted by the Detroit Pistons in the 2015 NBA draft.
7. William R. Welsh (1894-1966), a Canadian politician who served as the 12th premier of Ontario from 1959 to 1961.

Genealogical research on the last name Welsh

The surname Welsh originates from England and is an Anglicized form of several Celtic names derived from the Old Welsh 'Gwales' or 'Mab Gualch'. These names were originally given as personal names, meaning 'foreigner', 'stranger', or 'Welshman'. The name was brought to Wales during the Roman occupation and later became popular among English settlers in the Middle Ages. Over time, the name spread to other parts of Great Britain and eventually made its way to Ireland, Scotland, and North America due to migration. In North America, Welsh descendants are predominantly found in regions settled by Welsh immigrants, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Notable figures with the surname Welsh include American politician John P. Welch and Canadian ice hockey player Sheldon Souray.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Welsh"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends