Surname Wiegands - Meaning and Origin
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Wiegands: What does the surname Wiegands mean?
The last name Wiegands is of German origin and is a variant of the name Wiegand. Historically, the name is thought to derive from a combination of two German words, "wige," which means war, and "and," meaning an estate or settlement. The name could therefore be interpreted as meaning a "settlement of war" or "war-like estate."
The earliest recordings of this last name date back to the 15th century in Germany when Wilhelm Wiegandt was recorded in the city of Mühlhausen in 1413. Later, families with the Wiegands name migrated to different areas, including Poland, Sweden and the United States.
In modern times, the name carries a variety of connotations. Some people see the name as a sign of bravery and courage, reflecting the warrior-like origins of the name. Others may view it as a symbol of strength and determination, paying tribute to the tenacity seen in the Wiegands families that fought for their place in the world.
Overall, the last name Wiegands is thought to symbolize strength, courage, and determination. It stands as a reminder to the Wiegands family of its past and serves as an example of what can be accomplished with bravery and perseverance.
Order DNA origin analysisWiegands: Where does the name Wiegands come from?
The last name Wiegands is most commonly found in Germany today, with many variants such as Wiegand, Weighand, Wieghand, Weigand, Wygand, Weeghand, et cetera. The name is of German origin and was derived from the word "weiche," which means wide. This type of name was frequently assigned to people based on a physical or personal characteristic, or the place they hailed from; often referring to someone who lived near a wide area of land.
The name is found throughout Germany, and tracing its use through the centuries reveals it was also used in the Netherlands, Germany's neighboring country. It is likely that the Wiegands of Europe traveled to many other countries, and therefore the name can be found in parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, and even Australia.
As for its current distribution, Wiegands can be found living in all of Germany's major cities as well as rural locations. Genealogical research can be used to trace family lines with this surname, and this can help locate ancestors with the name. In the process, one may also discover many variants of this surnames such as Weigandt, Wygant, and Weigant.
Overall, the last name Wiegands is still quite common today and continues to be used by many families in Germany and other countries. It is likely that descendants of the original Wiegands have adopted a variety of other surnames, so searching local records or looking into genetic testing may provide additional insight into the origin and distribution of this name.
Variations of the surname Wiegands
The surname Wiegands is most commonly thought to be of Germanic origin though it is also thought to have some Scandinavian and Dutch connections. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wiegands include Wegand, Weygand, Weigandt, Weygard, Wigant, Wigger,wigigant, Wigans, Wiggen, Wey garth, Weegens, Veygand, and Vigant.
Weicand, Weigand, Weighand, Wegandt, Weygandt, Weigand, Wygand, and Wieghand are some of the more popular spellings of Wiegands, each with their own variations. For instance, the spelling Weighand is sometimes seen as Weihand, Weihan, or Weigand.
In terms of surnames, other variants of Wiegands includes Waygand and Wigand, which are often seen in Dutch-based populations. Wigan is an English surname, while Wygand and Wiggan are Scottish.
Wegend, Weygent, Wigandt, Wiggont, Wigant, Wiggen, Weygarth, Weegens, Veygand, and Vigant are some of the rarer surnames that are thought to be related to Wiegands.
Modern day Wiegands might also be seen using the modern-day German spelling of Weigand.
Overall, Wiegands is a surname that has had many century-old variations, spellings, and related surnames. These variations are still in use today, regardless of geography or culture.
Famous people with the name Wiegands
- Fernanda Wiegand, a Brazilian biochemist known for her work on the antimicrobial defense mechanism of some plant species.
- Karl Wiegand, a German journalist, known for his early 20th century focus on Russia and the Soviet Union.
- Emily Wiegand, a female professional powerlifter who won the title of Mr. Universe in 2018.
- Barry Wiegand, a father and author of multiple works related to fatherhood and other issues related to parenting.
- Wihelm Wiegand, a German theologian from the 19th century, mainly known for his work on the Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament.
- Ernemann Wiegand, a German photographer from the early 20th century, also known for his involvement in the development of the modern documentary style of photography.
- Paul Wiegand, a 20th century American professor of history specializing in East Central Europe and Eastern Europe.
- James Wiegand, an American Olympic skier best known for his success at the 1992 Winter Olympics.
- Alexander Wiegand, a German mathematician from the 20th century primarily known for his work on the convergence of series and the development of the theory of linear operators.
- Johannes Wiegand, a German psychiatrist from the late 19th century and early 20th century, mainly known for his research into treatment of mental illness.