From genealogy.about.com:

An occupational name meaning "craftsman, builder," from the Old English "wryhta" meaning "worker." Surname Origin: English. Alternate Surname Spellings: RIGHT, RITE, WRITE, WRYTE, WRAIGHT.

While the Wright family appears to have arrived in America as early as the 1600’s, my Wright family came much later in the 19th Century from Yorkshire. The family had been in Yorkshire as far back as has been traced (about 1680). Use the ancestor link below to follow my line back.

Joseph WRIGHT b. 25 Dec 1818 Bubwith, Yorkshire, England. d. 12 Jun 1873 Duncan’s Retreat, Washington, Utah. [Ancestor #814].