Revision History

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12/1/2024, 10:33 PM Mike C update #117
5/29/2020, 9:30 PM Mike C update #108
1/10/2017, 9:56 AM Mike C update #94
10/20/2016, 1:17 AM Mike C update #93
7/27/2015, 11:23 PM Mike C update #90
9/1/2013, 10:30 PM Mike C update #87
5/30/2011, 5:41 PM Mike C earliest recorded revision

Type Surname (from location)
Usage English
Pronounced Pron. /ˈwɑʃ.ɪŋ.tən/(American English) /ˈwɒʃ.ɪŋ.tən/(British English)

Meaning & History

From a place name meaning "settlement belonging to Wassa's people", from the given name Wassa and Old English tun meaning "enclosure, yard, town". A famous bearer was George Washington (1732-1799), the first president of the United States. This surname was sometimes adopted by freed slaves, resulting in a high proportion of African-American bearers.