This study intends to research, gather, record and illuminate all things associated with the Wight surname.  

A common misperception is that the Isle of Wight is the home of the Wight surname.  This is not founded on evidence from the records or history of the island.  In fact, in the 1881 UK Census, no one with the surname of Wight is found on the Isle of Wight.

The Wight surname has been researched for many years.  Two previous genealogical efforts in the US resulted in published books.  

The first effort, completed by William Ward Wight was published in 1890.  The Wights. A record of Thomas Wight of Dedham and Medfield and of his descendants, 1635-1890 is available on the Internet Archive.  This book was reprinted by Lois J Wight as the head of The Wight Family Association.  

Lois Wight then endeavored to continue the work done by William Ward Wight by writing and editing The Wights, Vol II in 1977.  This volume continued the descendants of Thomas Wight, but also expanded to include other Wight families in the US, including the branch that is primarily of Scottish origin.  

In addition there are two other options for researching the Wight surname.  One is the FTDNA surname group focused on Y-DNA.  The second is at WikiTree.  Links to both are listed below.

No variants are included in this study.  It is noted that the Wight surname was sometimes mis-recorded as Wright.  Research into the Wight surname must include looking for this variant.  However, the Wright surname is a large and separate surname and not in scope for this study.  The same is true of the White surname. 

Two either variants will be examined.  The first, very small variant, Whyte will be examined, but is likely more closely aligned with White.  The second, Whight is possibly a variant of Wight and will be researched.

Ancestry lists the origin of the Wight surname as: Scottish and English: nickname from Middle English wiht, wight ‘nimble’, ‘strong’.

FamilySearch has the following information on the Wight Surname:  Scottish and English: nickname from Middle English wiht, wight ‘agile, nimble, strong, brave’ (Old Norse víg with the Old Norse neuter suffix -t, for which compare the word scant), or from the corresponding Older Scots word wicht. Possibly sometimes a nickname from Middle English wight ‘living creature; small portion or thing’, or from the corresponding Older Scots word wicht.

Two men named Wight (Whight) are listed in the 1296 Scottish Ragman Rolls.  They were: 

Wight (Whight), Johan (del counte de Lanark).

Wight, Thomas (burgois de Seint Johan de Perth).

Family Tree DNA does have a Wight surname group.  It is not affiliated with this surname study at this time.  That surname group can be accessed at: https://www.familytreedna.com/my/group-join?group=Wight& 

Link to the WikiTree Wight surname group:  https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Wight_Name_Study 

If you are a descendant of the James Wight and Jane McConochie who immigrated to the US from Scotland in 1794 you are welcome to apply for membership in the private Facebook group for these descendants at:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1278474989215613