Surname Wiegart - Meaning and Origin
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Wiegart: What does the surname Wiegart mean?
The last name Wiegart is a German surname derived from the Middle High German term ‘wigehart’. ‘Wigehart’ can be translated to mean ‘strong in the heart’ which was likely inherited from the original owner of the name.
The Wiegart family are recorded as having their origins in the German speaking regions of Europe. It is suggested that they are likely to have originally settled in Prussia, which was an area of Europe located in what is now modern day Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. The family then likely spread to neighbouring countries in the 17th and 18th century including Germany and Austria.
The literal translation of the name Wiegart is ‘strong in the heart’. This is likely to be the emblem of the original Wiegart family, suggesting their fortitude and resilience against the elements. Many of the people of the family had an unwavering sense of courage and strength. They liked to challenge themselves and were lauded for their ability to take on difficult tasks and persevere.
The Wiegart family have a deep history and are a loyal and unyielding people. They have withstood many hardships and have remained a symbol of perseverance and courage in the face of adversity. They are a true testament to the character and strength of the human spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisWiegart: Where does the name Wiegart come from?
The last name Wiegart is most commonly found in the United States, Germany, and Austria. In the United States, Wiegart is primarily associated with Pennsylvania, especially the eastern part of the state. There are also small numbers of people with the last name Wiegart in New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Iowa. In Germany, the last name is most heavily concentrated in the regions of Baden-Wurttemburg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Austria, the largest numbers of people with the last name Wiegart reside in the Styria, Salzburg, and Vienna provinces.
The origin of the last name Wiegart can be traced back to Germany. It is a variation of the name Weigert, a name derived from the Middle High German word ‘wikert’, which means to act in an ambitious manner. Initially, the name referred to an ambitious individual who wished to progress rapidly in order to gain power and status in society.
Today, the last name Wiegart primarily is used in German-speaking countries and is encountered in the United States primarily in the eastern half of the country. People with the last name Wiegart might have German roots and they may be distantly related depending on the origin of the name in their family.
Variations of the surname Wiegart
The surname Wiegart is derived from the Germanic personal name Wigard or Wighard and is a variant spelling of the surnames Wigart, Wiegerd, Wiegerdt, Wigardt and Wigart.
The origin of the name can be traced back to early Germany when the Wiegart surname was first used by the noble family who lived in Saxony. They were descendants of the ancient Germanic tribe named the Bavarians. The name means literally “the guardian of the woods”, and so the family was likely to have been involved in the protection and management of the forests in that area.
The variation in the spellings of the surname Wiegart can be attributed to many changes which took place in the language and dialect over the years. During the late Middle Ages Franks who had settled in Saxony began to adopt the name in the Frankish form of Wigard or Wiegerd. As time went by, the spellings evolved and evolved again, hence the numerous variants that now exist.
Other surnames that share the same origins with Wiegart are Wigers, Wiggers, Wiggerd, Weegers, Weggers and Wiegand. These are the spellings found most commonly in the Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia and the United States.
The Wiegarts can be traced back to the early Germanic chieftains in the early Medieval times, with records showing that the family’s descendants had fought in various battles, and had served in various capacities in government. Thus, the name carries a long and proud history.
Famous people with the name Wiegart
- Peggy Wiegart: American playwright, screenwriter, and wife of the acclaimed film director, Arthur Hiller.
- Christine Wiegart: German translator and professor of Spanish literature and language at the University of Freiburg.
- Winston Wiegart: British actor and director who has starred in several feature films.
- Dietrich Wiegart: German classical organist, musician, composer, and teacher at the University of Ulm.
- Millicent Wiegart: American poet and professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
- Tim Wiegart: American entrepreneur and fitness mogul, creator of the popular online fitness platform Physiq.
- Michael Wiegart: British landscape artist renowned for his seascapes and landscapes
- Patrick Wiegart: Dutch painter and sculptor who has exhibited his work at numerous galleries around the world.
- Sigrid Wiegart: German writer and journalist, known for her works on modern French and German history and culture.
- Robert Wiegart: Austrian painter who is renowned for his large-scale portraits of historic figures.