Surname Wiegardt - Meaning and Origin

Wiegardt: What does the surname Wiegardt mean?

The surname Wiegardt is of German origin and is a habitational name derived from the towns of Wörde and Weide in the region of Holstein, Germany. The name has its roots in Middle High German and means a settlement surrounded by a wall or a park. It is suggested that the name likely belonged to an individual who lived near one of these settlements or in the Wiede area of Holstein.

The surname was first found in the Prussian region where the earliest records of the family’s existence date back to the mid 17th century. The family was known for being prosperous farmers in the region. During the 19th century, the Wiegardt family can be found living mainly in the region of Schleswig Holstein in Germany. At this time, many members of the Wiegardt family left the area for other parts of Europe, the United States, and South America.

The Wiegardt family is still found in many places around the world today. Those with this surname can often be found to be talented, ambitious, and hardworking individuals that strive for excellence in whatever endeavors they pursue. The Wiegardt name is one that has withstood the test of time and will live on for generations to come.

Wiegardt: Where does the name Wiegardt come from?

The last name Wiegardt is most commonly found in Germany, with the highest concentrations currently in the states of Lower Saxony and Sachsen. This was not always the case however, as the name originates in the northern parts of the country, around the cities of Hamburg and Bremen. It is also found in some other parts of Northern Europe, such as Norway and Denmark, though in much lower numbers.

In terms of the wider world, some Wiegardts have migrated to the United States of America over the years, with small Mexican and South American populations also now existing.

In Germany, the name has retained its original spelling for the most part, however outside of the country some people might use alternative spellings, such as the anglicized "Weegardt".

Historically, it is believed that the Wiegardt name comes from the Middle Low German 'weger', which itself has its roots in the Old German 'wigr'. This translates to mean 'hunter'.

If you wish to trace your Wiegardt heritage further back, then the national archives of Germany are a great place to start your research.

Variations of the surname Wiegardt

The surname Wiegardt is an anglicized form of the German surname, originally from Old High German, Wiegelhardt. This is an occupational surname, derived from the word “wiegel” and “hardt” meaning “shield” and “strong” respectively.

Variants of the surname Wiegardt include Wiegelhardt, Wiglehardt, Wiglehard, Wiehlehdert, Weigelehardt, Wigelhard, Wiggerhardt, and Wiegkardt. Variations in spelling of the same surname are seen in Weigelhardt, Weigelt, Weiglehart, Weigardt, Weigard, Weigendt, Wiegendt, Wiegard, and Wiegellhard.

Surnames of similar origin are Weigel, Wiegand, Wigg, Wygant, Wygle, Wigle, and Weihlhardt. This surname is primarily found in Germany, Netherlands, and other German-speaking countries.

WEGELHARD and WIGELHARDT are also variants of Wiegardt. While WEGELHARD is found in Germany, WIGELHARDT is more popular in Austria. In some cases, the "WE" has been transposed to “WI”.

The surname Wiegardt is also an anglicization of the Polish surname Wieprzec. Likewise, Wiegardt is identical to the Russian surname Vyprevich, which is found mostly in Belarus and Russia.

Variants for all these surnames may be created by exchanging letters. For example, for Wieprzec, the variants are Wieczorek, Wieczorczyk, and Wierscick. Another variant could be a combination of the names Wiegtern and Wigard, which is a combination of Wiegardt and Wigard. It is notable that Wiegard is found in Norway and Sweden.

Famous people with the name Wiegardt

• Patricia Wiegardt: Patricia Wiegardt is an American dancer, choreographer, and educator. She was a founding member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and has been an influential voice in modern dance for nearly four decades.
• Cheryl Wiegardt: Cheryl Wiegardt is an American costume designer, costume supervisor, and theatre director. She has received numerous accolades for her work on the Broadway hits like "Rent" and the Broadway revival of "Cabaret."
• Alfred Wiegardt: Alfred Wiegardt was an American composer who wrote mainly for the cello and piano. He was a master of combining classical and modern elements to create a unique sound.
• Alexander Wiegardt: Alexander Wiegardt was a German painter and lithographer who worked in the realistic style. He was a master of portraiture as well as landscape painting.
• Greg Wiegardt: Greg Wiegardt is an award-winning American film director, writer, and producer. His work includes the Academy Award-nominated film Maudie and the acclaimed horror film Black Swan.
• Luisa Wiegardt: Luisa Wiegardt is an award-winning American ceramic artist who is noted for her imaginative and colorful pieces.
• Franz Wiegardt: Franz Wiegardt was a German mathematician and philosophy scholar best known for his 1808 book, The History of Philosophy.
• Lina Wiegardt: Lina Wiegardt is a Swiss doctor and public health expert. She has conducted extensive research in the areas of HIV/AIDS and tropical diseases.

Other surnames

WiegardWiegart