Welsh (surname) facts for kids

The surname Welsh comes from an old English word. It was often given to people from the Celtic parts of Britain. Sometimes, it can also come from a similar German name, Welsch. The name Welsh is quite common in Scotland.

Where the Name 'Welsh' Comes From

The name Welsh has a long history. It comes from an Old English word, which was used to describe people who lived in the old Roman Empire. These people often spoke Latin or Celtic languages.

Ancient Germanic peoples used this word. They used it for people living in areas that were once part of the Roman Empire. This included lands across the Alps, the Rhine River, and the North Sea.

Over time, the German word walh changed to walch. The word walhisk became welsch in Middle High German. Today, in Germany, Welsche often means people from Italy or France. It can also mean other neighbors who speak Romance languages.

In England, the Old English word wilisc was used. It described the native British people. These were the people the Saxon invaders met in the 400s and 500s AD. As more Anglo-Saxons settled in England, the word wilisc changed. It became Welsh in Middle English. This term then became specifically used for the Welsh people from Wales.

Famous People Named Welsh

Many interesting people have the surname Welsh. Here are a few examples:

• Barry Welsh, a funny character played by John Sparkes.
• Chris Welsh, a former baseball pitcher. He is now a sports announcer for the Cincinnati Reds team.
• Christie Welsh, an American soccer player.
• David Welsh, a Scottish religious leader.
• Freddie Welsh, a boxing champion from Wales. He was a World Lightweight champion.
• Irvine Welsh, a well-known author from Scotland.
• John Welsh (English footballer), a football player for Hull City in England.
• Kenneth Welsh (1942–2022), a Canadian actor. He appeared in many films and TV shows.
• Mark Welsh, who was the 20th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. This is a very important leadership role.
• Matt Welsh, an Australian swimmer.
• Matthew E. Welsh, an American politician. He served as the governor of Indiana.
• Paul Welsh, a British reporter for television and radio.
• Sean Welsh, a Scottish football player.
• Thomas Welsh (basketball), an American basketball player.
• William Welsh (footballer), a British football player.

Related Names

If you are interested in the name Welsh, you might also like to learn about these similar surnames:

• Walsh (surname)
• Welch (surname)
• Walshe (surname)
• Walch
• Walsch