Surname Wirths - Meaning and Origin
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Wirths: What does the surname Wirths mean?
The last name Wirths is an occupational surname, which means that it was derived from the name of a person's occupation. Specifically, the name Wirths comes from the Middle High German word "wirt" meaning "host" or "tavern keeper", referring to someone who ran a tavern. The name was most likely given to someone who operated an inn in medieval times. The suffix "-s" indicates a patronymic, or a name derived from the father's given name.
The name Wirths is most common in Germany and Austria, but can also be found in parts of the United States and other countries around the world. Its spelling may also be slightly varied depending on the country, with the alternative spelling of Wirth being the primary alternative.
In modern times, the surname Wirths continues to be quite common in certain parts of the world and is still associated with the hospitality industry. It is also a popular surname among certain Jewish communities in central and eastern Europe. As such, it can be seen in literature and other forms of art.
The surname Wirths is indicative of a strong sense of tradition and legacy, with a history that can be traced back hundreds of years. It is a name which everyone who carries it should be proud to be associated with.
Order DNA origin analysisWirths: Where does the name Wirths come from?
The last name Wirths is most commonly found in the German speaking countries of Europe, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in smaller numbers in other areas of Europe as well as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The surname originates from the Middle High German term wirt, meaning “host”, and often referred to innkeepers. Thus Wirths likely originally indicated someone who ran an inn, or similar business. The term might also have been used to describe a landowner or peasant who worked the land, as early landowning families in Germany were sometimes known by this title.
In Germany, the surname Wirths is mainly found in the state of Lower Saxony, particularly in and around Osnabruck. It is considerably less common in most other areas of Germany, particularly in the former eastern German states. In Austria, it’s most often found in Upper Austria, Vienna, and Burgenland. In Switzerland, it’s mainly concentrated in the German speaking regions near the borders with Austria and Germany.
In the United States and Canada, Wirths and its various spellings (Wirtz, Wirz, Wertz) remain relatively uncommon, and mainly found among immigrants from the Germanic countries. In Australia, the surname is associated mainly with immigrants from Germany and Austria who arrived in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Variations of the surname Wirths
The surname Wirths is derived from the Old German word ‘wirtse’, meaning ‘to be in charge’ or ‘to take care of’. As such, variants of the surname are related to that original meaning. In Germany, the variants Wirth, Wurth, Wuerth, Wurtz and Wurz are found. Other similar surnames in Europe are the Dutch Wiering and Wierink, and the French Viret and Veret.
In the United States, the spelling Wirths is still most commonly used. Other relatively common variants are Wirth, Wurth, Wyhrt and Wyhrte. Variants of the surname with an “s” at the end of the name such as Wirths, Wirsts, Wehrts and Wehrtts can also be found in the United States.
In addition to these variants, there are also surnames which were derived from the original Wirths. These include Werths, Werthsheimer, Warthsman, Werthman, Wirthmann, Wurzburger, and Wurzberger.
In addition, some of these variants have been Anglicized over time, resulting in surnames such as Worth, Wertz and Wertman. In Eastern Europe, variants of the name such as Wirtsch, Wirch and Wirt can be found, while in Russia the variant Virts is sometimes encountered.
In summary, the surname Wirths has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants are most common in Germany, the United States and other parts of Europe, but can also be found in Eastern Europe, Russia and other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Wirths
- Alan Wirths: Former New Jersey Attorney General and a distinguished professor at Seton Hall University School of Law.
- Christian Wirths: German Nazi SS officer known for organizing massacres of Jewish and Romani people during the Holocaust.
- Ike Wirths: American football player in the early 20th century.
- Jim Wirths: Former member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.
- Julia Wirth: Swiss rock climber and former world champion lead climber.
- Martin Wirths: German contemporary painter.
- Max Wirths: German Nazi lawyer and anti-Semitic ideologist.
- Richard Wirths: Former middle-distance runner and 800 meters world record holder.
- Sam Wirths: 19th/20th century Austrian actor.
- Theo Wirths: American businessman, banker, and member of the Minnesota Senate.
- Wilhelm Wirths: German anatomist and physiologist.