As last names were being standardized, many people’s professions became their last names—Baker, Cook, Smith, and Miller, to name a few. These last names, called occupational surnames, are incredibly common in many languages, and they give us a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors. Some occupational surnames, however, are hard to spot; they describe jobs that no longer exist and that may be forgotten. One last name you may not have thought of before as an occupational surname is Wright—but what is a wright? Read on to learn more about the historic occupation, the surname, and more!
What Is a Wright?
A wright is a person who makes or builds things, especially things made out of wood. The word was also historically used to describe a skilled craftsman or laborer. Although the term wright originally specified someone who worked with wood, its definition grew over time to include people of many professions.
The word wright originates from Old English. It became less common after the introduction of the word carpentier—today spelled carpenter—which slowly replaced its use in many parts of England.
Types of Wrights
The Old English form of wright referred to a craftsman who worked with wood. As time passed, wrights worked with more materials than just wood, and wright became an umbrella term with many types of wrights under its belt. Here are a few different wright jobs.
Since wood expands and shrinks due to temperature and humidity, wheelwrights needed to strengthen wooden wheels with another material. This material would compress and hold the wheel together through temperature changes. Anciently, wheels were bound with rawhide. Later, wheelwrights used metal bands to reinforce the wheels. Car tires are now made with metal and rubber.
Wainwrights and cartwrights built horse-drawn vehicles. A wainwright's workshop could include several kinds of specialized craftsmen, such as blacksmiths and wheelwrights, who all contributed parts to be assembled into a complete wagon.
Shipbuilding was traditionally a role filled by men. During World War I, Great Britain had such a great need for ships that thousands of women were employed by shipyards to assist the war effort. The main image at the top of this article shows some of these women shipwrights hard at work in a shipyard.
The word playwright was coined by Ben Jonson in the 1600s. He was a British playwright known for his satirical comedies. Some other well-known playwrights from history include Sophocles (496 to 406 BC, Greece), William Shakespeare (1564–1616, England), Molière (1622–1673, France), Elizabeth Inchbald (1753–1821, England), Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906, Norway), George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950, Ireland), and Agatha Christie (1890–1976, England)
History of Wrights
Historically, wrights were an important part of the trade industry of the Middle Ages in Europe. As the economy grew, transport and trade increased, which in turn increased the demand for skilled craftsmen to build and repair means of travel such as wagons, carts, and ships. Different types of wrights specialized in different areas, but some professions had a fair amount of overlap, such as wainwrights and wheelwrights.
The profession of wainwright is mostly obsolete today. After the Industrial Revolution, carts were largely phased out in favor of motorized vehicles. However, wheelwrights still exist, to an extent. Several organizations exist to keep the trade alive. The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights is one such organization. It was created in 1670 to regulate the construction of wooden wheels. Today, it keeps the archaic art of wheel making alive, as well as working with modern wheel industries and providing philanthropic support to those with mobility needs.
The profession of shipwrights is also still around, though it has evolved considerably. Although shipwrights originally worked with timber, many shipwrights today work with iron and steel. They also focus more on repair and restoration rather than building new ships.
Playwrights, of course, still exist—and their role has expanded as demands for entertainment have increased. While there is still a thriving industry of stage writers, many playwrights are also transitioning to writing for other media.
Famous Wrights
Many famous people in history had the last name “Wright.” From singers and artists to inventors and activists, Wrights have made their mark on history.
- Patience Wright (1725–1786), a sculptor of wax figures who was one of the first to make sculpting her profession in the Colonial United States
- Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959), a renowned architect from the United States who emphasized the harmony between buildings and nature
- Wilbur Wright (1867–1912) and Orville Wright (1871–1948), two brothers who invented the first successful airplane
- Judith Wright (1915–2000), an Australian environmentalist, activist for Aboriginal land rights, and poet
- Mary Kathryn “Mickey” Wright (1935–2020), a professional golfer who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
- Overton Vertis “O. V.” Wright (1939–1980), an African American blues singer
- Richard Wright (1943–2008), an English musician best known for playing the keyboard in the band Pink Floyd
Surnames from the Wright Occupation
While “wright” is the title for a craftsman in English, occupational surnames were common all over the world. Here’s a list of other terms for “wright”—or similar occupations—in other countries.
Language | Surname | Meaning |
| Dutch | Rademaker Navis | wheelwright wheelwright |
| Estonian | Puusepp Raudsepp | craftsman blacksmith |
| French | Charland Charlier Charpentier Charron | cartwright cartwright carpenter cartwright |
| German | Wagner Distler Esser Felgenhauer Felger | wheelwright wainwright wheelwright wheelwright wheelwright |
| Hungarian | Bognar Kerekes Kollar | cartwright wheelwright wheelwright |
| Italian | Fabbro Carpentiere Carraro Carriero | ironworker cartwright cartwright cartwright |
| Polish | Kolodziejski Kolasa | wheelwright cartwright |
| Spanish | Herrera Herrero | ironworker ironworker |
| Ukrainian | Kolody | wheelwright |
Finding Your Ancestor’s Occupation in a Census Record
The more recently your ancestors lived, the less likely it is that an occupational surname lines up with an actual profession. Luckily, in many parts of the world, censuses recorded occupations along with other crucial identifying information.
If you have ancestors in the United States, occupation information has been recorded for men since 1850 and for both men and women since 1860. It’s easy to find too—the occupation often has its own clearly labeled section, usually after the section on name, age, and birthplace. Take a look at this example from the 1910 United States census:
Occupation information is included in its own distinct sections, from columns 18–22 on the 1910 census. The amount of information varies from census to census, but information on your ancestor’s occupation should be included on any census from 1850 on.
If you want more help or information on how to find your ancestor’s occupation, check out this article. Or you can enter your ancestor’s information in the FamilySearch discovery experience to see what you can find!
Learn More About Your Surname
Whether your surname is occupational, habitational, patronymic, or otherwise, it can teach you a great deal about your ancestors and where you come from. If you’re curious about the origins of your surname and want to learn more, try FamilySearch’s Surname experience. By simply entering your last name, you can learn about your surname’s origin, meaning, ancestors, and more. Give it a try—learning more about your surname will help you connect more deeply with your heritage.
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