Surname Oldbury - Meaning and Origin
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Oldbury: What does the surname Oldbury mean?
Oldbury is an English surname of geographical origin. It derives from Old English words 'eald' (old) and 'burh' (fortified place), referring to an old fortress or fortified town. This name was likely given to individuals who lived near or originated from such a location. Oldbury can refer to different places in England, including a large town in the West Midlands, a village in Gloucestershire, or a hamlet in Shropshire. Over time, as individuals moved, the name would have been carried to new locations, eventually becoming a surname. Like many surnames, it served to identify a person, hinting at their geographical origin. Therefore, the surname Oldbury essentially signifies 'from the old fortress'. As with all surnames, it is difficult to trace a definite origin or meaning as they can change and evolve greatly throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisOldbury: Where does the name Oldbury come from?
The last name Oldbury is not common today. It was however, very common in past centuries in England, especially in the village of Oldbury in the ancient county of Worcestershire. The village took its name from the Oldbury family who had lived in the area during the 15th and 16th centuries. Through marriages and migrations, the surname spread to various other parts of the country, especially in the far West where it was very common. Today, the surname Oldbury is still found throughout England. In some areas of the Midlands, such as Gloucestershire, and some areas of the North East, such as Yorkshire, Oldbury is still fairly common. The surname can also be found in other parts of the country, such as Scotland, but the numbers are much fewer. It is also interesting to note that Oldbury has spread to some other parts of the world, such as Canada and the United States. While the surname is still around in these places, it is much rarer and not as widespread as it was in England during the past centuries.
Variations of the surname Oldbury
The surname Oldbury is derived from several sources. It's a topographic name for someone who lived near an old town, derived from the Old English words eald (old) and burh (town or fort). The habitation could have been of Roman origin or a Saxon settlement. The spelling variations of the surname Oldbury include Oldberry, Oldbiry, Oldbory, Oldbyrie, Oldburye, Oldbry and Oldbury.
The surnames Oldbury and Oldberry are related and were derived from Oldbury and Oldberry, which are two separate locations. Although these locations are both in the West Midlands region of England, both have distinct origins and spelling variations. Oldbury could have derived from 'Ealdeburg', an Anglo-Saxon settlement believed to have been built on the site of a Roman fort or settlement. Oldberry is thought to have derived from 'Olden Burgh', meaning the old fortification.
Oldbry is derived from the Old English 'Eald brycg', meaning old bridge, and Oldbory is derived from 'Oldebury', meaning old fortification. Oldbyrie is derived from Oldberry, and Oldburye and Oldbiry are variations of Oldbury.
Oldbury and its related surnames are not commonly used today. They remain present mainly throughout Anglo-Saxon regions, with some possible associations in the United States as well.
Famous people with the name Oldbury
- James Oldbury: British television writer and executive producer
- William Oldbury: Australian architectural scholar and eminent professor
- Dr. Howard Oldbury: American physician who acquired the first Cochlear implant
- Ward Oldbury: British scientist in the early 20th century who developed the field of abnormal psychology
- Alfred Oldbury: English cricketer and civil servant
- Thomas Oldbury: British accountant and politician
- Paul Oldbury: British author of works on popular culture and history
- Stephen Oldbury: British World War I General
- John Oldbury: Canadian modernist painter
- Russell Oldbury: British statesman who served as Prime Minister