Where Does the Welles Surname Come From?

Seen on a birth certificate or a ship's manifest, Welles is usually a form of Wells. The extra “e” in Welles is a spelling habit rather than a different name. Read literally, Welles points to “Dweller by the springs”. Before spelling was standardised, one family could appear under several forms.

You may also find the name written Well and Atwell.

A coat of arms belongs to a particular family line rather than to everyone named Welles, so the heraldry linked to Wells is a starting point, not an automatic right. Research your Welles family history with a full surname report and painted coat of arms.