Wodehouse to Zouch

The archaic pronunciation of surnames has not always developed at the same pace as our language, and can cause confusion. The table below gives guidance on the pronunciation of a selection of English surnames - establishing the traditional pronunciation of a surname will ensure that you do not cause offence.

Surname Pronunciation
Wodehouse Wood-house
Wollaston Wool-aston
Wolley Wooly
Wolmer Wool-mer
Wolrige Wool-ridge
Wolseley Wool-sli
Wombwell Woom-well
Wontner Wantner
Worsley Wers-li or Werz-li
Wortley Wert-li
Wriothesley Rottisli
Wrottesley Rotts-li
Wykeham Wick-am
Wyllie Wy-lie
Wyndham Wind-'am
Wynford Win-fud
Wynyard Win-yard
Wythenshaw With-in-shaw
Yeatman Yaytman
Yerburgh Yar-bra'
Yonge Young
Zouch Zooch

 

 

Register for updates

Register here to receive our regular newsletter, exclusive offers and updates on new Debrett’s initiatives.

Register here now

Competition

Win a pair of Pocket Books