Wheeler

Wheeler is a surname of English origin. It is an occupational name for a wheel-maker, or wheelwright, deriving from the term for wheel in Old and Middle English. The name spread with English-speaking communities and is now found in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

John Archibald Wheeler (1911–2008) was a prominent American theoretical physicist whose work helped shape quantum theory and general relativity. He is associated with several concepts named in his honor, including the Wheeler–DeWitt equation in quantum gravity and Wheeler's delayed-choice experiment, which explores the role of measurement in quantum phenomena.

As a place name, Wheeler identifies several locations in North America, including towns and counties. The name is also used for educational and historical sites in various regions, reflecting local history or postal designations.

In science and culture, the surname Wheeler appears in discussions of physics, astronomy, and history through individuals who bear it and through eponymous concepts and places. The name remains common in genealogical research and on geographic maps, where it serves as both a surname and a toponym.