Wright Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Wright surname: its meaning, its roots in England, and its heraldry.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Wright coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Wright name
Wright comes from the Old English wyrhta, "maker" or "craftsman", most often one who worked in wood. It survives in compound names for trades such as wheelwright, cartwright and shipwright. The surname is especially common in the north of England and the Midlands, and the Wright brothers made it famous through the first powered flight in 1903.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Wright name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Wright 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.
Get your full Wright family history
The researched Wright pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Wright coat of arms.
Wright name FAQ
What does the Wright name mean?
Craftsman, woodworker. Common variants include Wrighte, Right, Wrightson.
Where does the Wright surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Wright coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Wright crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Wright 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.