Surname Witjes - Meaning and Origin

Witjes: What does the surname Witjes mean?

The surname Witjes is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Old German words ‘wiht’ meaning ‘force’ or ‘sanctuary’ and ‘hus’ meaning ‘house’ or ‘dwelling’. Together, the two words create the name meaning ‘protection house’. The Witjes surname is an occupational name describing someone who ran a protective house or a place where security was provided.

The name Witjes has passed down through generations in Europe as a marker of origin and heritage. Historically, the Witjes surname was used primarily in Holland to designate one who was a steward responsible for watching over and protecting a place of refuge or sanctuary. This could have been the local church or the estate of a local character.

Witjes is also the name of several towns and municipalities, leading one to believe the name may have also developed from a geographical location. Spelled Waits, the name can also be found in Britain and Wales.

The Witjes surname is an old name with a noble origin. It indicates a long history of protecting the sanctity of a space of refuge and security. The name can also indicate a proud lineage with a strong legacy that spans generations.

Witjes: Where does the name Witjes come from?

The last name Witjes is common in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the United States. In the Netherlands, the surname is the 129th most common last name, and accounts for 0.11% of the population. It is especially popular in the province of Limburg and in the province of Drenthe. In Belgium, the last name is the 245th most common, accounting for 0.05% of the population. The provinces with the highest percentage of people with the last name Witjes are Limburg (1.05%), Antwerp (0.73%), and Flemish Brabant (0.46%).

In Germany, the last name Witjes is the 1,294th most common name, accounting for 0.001% of the population. This is mainly due to migrants who moved from the Netherlands and Belgium to Germany.

The United States also has a large population of people with the last name Witjes. It is estimated that approximately 1,400 people have the last name Witjes in the United States, with 95% of those living in states across the Midwest. A majority of people (69%) with the name Witjes live in the states of Wisconsin (44%), Ohio (17%) and Minnesota (8%).

Overall, the last name Witjes is common in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the United States. The Netherlands and Belgium have the highest percentage of people with the last name Witjes, while the United States has the highest total number of people with the last name. While not extremely common in the US, the last name Witjes can be found in the states of Wisconsin, Ohio, and Minnesota.

Variations of the surname Witjes

The surname Witjes is an Dutch surname which is apparently derived from the Germanic word ‘wik’ meaning ‘protected or fortified place’. In Dutch, variants of Witjes include Witjes, Witje, Witjaz, Witz, Witzen, Witzke, Wits, and Wittjes.

In German, variants of Witjes include Witz, Wits, Witzke, Wittzack, Wetsch, Wetzig, Wittich, Witsch, Wittig, Wittke, Wytske, and Wytschaert.

In the United States, Witjes is often anglicized to Wits, Witscher, or Witts, while in the United Kingdom, it is commonly anglicized to Whits, Whitts, or Witts. Variant surnames that evolved from Witjes include Wetsch, Wetzig, Wittich, Wittig, Wittke, Wytske, and Wytschaert.

Moreover, some families with the Witjes surname may have surnames which were derived from the location from which their ancestors originated. One example is Phitx, which is a derived form of the Dutch ‘Phetge’, which means ‘from Friesland’. Other location-derived surnames include Wittzack (from Saxony) and Wetsch, Wetzig (from Austria).

In conclusion, the primary surname of Witjes has many variants and spellings, some of which are more popular than others. Further, many surnames have been derived from the original surname which may be the result of geographical origins, anglicization, or other factors.

Famous people with the name Witjes

• Wouter Witjes: Dutch football player.
• Johan Witjes: Former Dutch professional cyclist.
• Rik Witjes: Dutch politician and former senator.
• Guus Witjes: Dutch sociologist and CEO of the Nederlands Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (NWO).
• Joris Witjes: Dutch TV presenter.
• Willem Witjes: Dutch evangelical preacher and motivational speaker.
• Wobbe Witjes: Dutch digital artist.
• Peter Witjes: Dutch tax specialist and adviser.
• Eefje Witjes: Dutch biologist and professor at the Erasmus University Rotterdam.
• Ryan Witjes: Dutch singer-songwriter.
• Pieter Witjes: Dutch sculptor and digital artist.
• Nonok Witjes: Dutch radio presenter.
• Wieke Witjes: Dutch jewelry designer.
• Annet Witjes: Dutch film producer.
• Marieke Witjes: Dutch lawyer and human rights activist.
• Max Witjes: Dutch jazz musician.

Other surnames

Witjens