Surname Weighardt - Meaning and Origin

Weighardt: What does the surname Weighardt mean?

The last name Weighardt is of Germanic origin and is believed to be derived from the personal name Werner. The name Werner is derived from the Old Germanic elements "wari," meaning “protect” or “cover,” and "heri," meaning “army.” Altogether, the name can be translated to mean “protector of the army” or “cover the army,” suggesting that it was likely originally used as a surname for someone who served in the military.

While its exact origins are difficult to trace, some experts have speculated that the name Weighardt may have descended from an aristocratic family who served as vassals for the Counts of Lauffen in the 15th century. This idea has not been entirely debunked, as records from the time have shown that the surname was commonly associated with the area and was also recorded in relation to titles of nobility.

The name Weighardt has also shown up in records from Sweden, often times being spelt as Waighard. It is unclear if the name is in any way connected to Germanic immigration to Sweden as the records indicate that it was used somewhat commonly.

At its core, the surname Weighardt is associated with a sense of protection and military service. To those who are bearers of the name, it offers a sense of belonging and solidarity to a long-standing history of a family who served to protect their people.

Weighardt: Where does the name Weighardt come from?

The surname Weighardt is of German origin, and is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It is also found in other countries with a significant German population such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil and parts of Australia.

The etymology of the name Weighardt is thought to derive from the German words 'wegen', meaning 'because of', and 'ward', meaning 'guard'. Thus, it is believed that the surname was usually attributed to a family who obviously held a high position in society, likely as the guardians or defenders of a certain estate or region.

Today, one can find the surname Weighardt in Germany and other German-speaking countries, as well as scattered throughout the United States. In the US, the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and California. Furthermore, most often the variation of the surname ‘Weygandt’ is used, which may be either due to immigration of ancestors to the US or simply a variation of the name.

Thus, while many people across the world today bear the surname Weighardt, it remains most common among those with roots in German-speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Weighardt

The surname Weighardt has several variants, spellings and surnames, all of which have the same origin. These include Weigand, Weygand, Weigant, Weigert, Weigardt, Weygart, Weygardt, Weigard, Weygert, Weigeardt, Weigardth, Weigardh, Weigarht, Weighard, WeHillard and Weingard.

The Weighardt surname is most likely of German and/or Dutch origin. It is derived from the German word “weig,” meaning “to weigh.” The suffix -hardt or -hardt indicated that this was the name of a place or settlement, known as Weighardt. This could refer to either a town or an area of land associated with the Weighardt family.

Weighardt is also a common variant of the name Weigand, which is the German form of the name William, meaning “resolve” or “protection.” Weigerd, another variant of Weighardt, is derived from the German word “weiger,” meaning powerful or brave. This could have been a nickname given to people associated with this family.

The spelling of Weighardt has changed over time. In some cases, the h was dropped, resulting in spellings such as Weigard, Weygert, and Weigart. In other cases, a double “h” was added to the end, resulting in spellings such as Weighardh and Weigarht. Additionally, some spellings contain a “y” instead of an “i,” such as Weygand, Weygardt and Weygart.

In conclusion, Weighardt is a surname of German and/or Dutch origin, derived from the word “weig,” meaning “to weigh.” It has numerous variants and spellings, many of which have been modified over time. The surname is also likely connected to the given name William, meaning “resolve” or “protection."

Famous people with the name Weighardt

• Max Weighardt: Professional snowboarder known for his participation in extreme sports competitions.
• Marshall Weighardt: Former Major League Baseball pitcher who played two seasons for the Cincinnati Reds.
• Woody Weighardt: Children's book author and illustrator, best known for his works Tales of the Dread Mountain and The Weeping Willow Tree.
• Dave Weighardt: Retired National Hockey League player known for his time with the Buffalo Sabres.
• Chris Weighardt: English actor and theatre director, best known for his roles in The Descendants and Black Sails.
• John Weighardt: American painter and sculptor, known for contemporary landscapes and abstract works.
• Thomas Weighardt: German actor and director, most prominent for his lead performance in the 1986 comedy The Super Stretcher.
• Heinrich Weighardt: Bavarian composer known for his operas and theatrical works in the 18th century.
• Ebbe Weighardt: Danish architect and city planner, most noted for his 19th century designs in Copenhagen.
• William Weighardt: English illustrator and book designer, known for his illustrations in The Johnstone Chronicles published in the 1930s.

Other surnames

Weighart