Surname Witte - Meaning and Origin

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Upon completing an ancestry DNA test at iGENEA, I gained unprecedented insights into my familial lineage – the Witte family. The revelations, ranging from unexpected ties back to Poland to understanding the unique genetic traits of my ancestors, have reshaped my understanding of my heritage.

E. Witte

Witte: What does the surname Witte mean?

The last name Witte is of Germanic origin and means white or fair-haired. It likely originated as a nickname for one with blond or white hair, or a general description of physical characteristics. This surname is historically associated with the Northern Germanic tribes and their homelands in the regions known today as Belgium, Holland, and Germany.

The Witte surname has spread to various parts of the world over time as a result of immigration and emigration. It is especially common in the Netherlands, as well as in modern Germany and Austria, where it is the 19th most common surname. It is also found in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and other countries.

There are several variants of the Witte surname, including Witt, Wittje, Wittke, Wit, and Wittig. Similarly, the name can also be found in other languages, such as Dutch, Danish, and Swedish, depending on the region.

Although the tradition of taking surnames from physical traits or descriptions is now obsolete, the Witte surname continues to be carried by many people of all walks of life around the world. It is an important part of their personal identity, and for some, a source of cultural pride.

Witte: Where does the name Witte come from?

The last name Witte is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands today. In Germany, Witte is the 81st most common surname, while in the Netherlands it ranks as the 37th most common surname.

Witte is derived from the German word witz, which means wit or resourcefulness. This suggests that the surname originated from those who were known to be clever or intelligent. It is most frequently found in the northwestern part of the country.

Outside of Germany and the Netherlands, the last name Witte is most common among emigrants from the Low Countries, such as Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. It is particularly common among those who immigrated to the United States. In fact, it is the 517th most common name in the US today.

Interestingly, Witte is also a very common name in South Africa, due largely to the Dutch settlers who colonized the region in the 17th century. Many of those settlers were named Witte, and their descendants have kept the name alive to this day. According to the latest estimates, Witte is the 21st most common surname in South Africa, and it is one of the few first names that has endured to modern times.

Variations of the surname Witte

The Witte surname may have multiple spellings and variants. Generally, it originated as a Dutch, German, or Low German surname, and there are a few spellings and surnames that could be derivatives of “Witte.”

Wit* is the main spelling, this could be Witte, Witt, Witting, Wit(t)en, Witters, Wittman, Wittmann, Witthaus, Witthausen, Wittingen, Wittmer, Wittebörger, Wittekötter, Wytten, Wyttenbach, Wyttenbach, Wyttenbrock, Wyttenbröck, Wyttig, Wittingh, and Wüdding.

The Germanic form of the name is Witt. This spelling has variants, such as Wittman, Wittenbach, Wittig, Witting, Wittmer, Wittingh, and Wittinghausen.

The Dutch spelling is Witte. This surname has variants including Witten, Wyttenbach, Wyttenbrock, Wyttenbröck, Wyttig, and Wüdding.

The Low German form of Witte is Witt. Variants for this spelling include Wittbort, Wittberg, Wittbürger, Wittfoth, and Wittkötter.

The surname Witte may also be a variant of the Welsh surnames Vaughan and Vawen.

The variant spellings of the surname Witte provide many other versions of its origin. It is important to understand the potential evolutionary stages of a surname to accurately trace its ancestry.

Famous people with the name Witte

• Therese Witte: Therese Witte is a German actress best known for her appearances in the television series Bibi Blocksberg, Was zählt and Verliebt in Berlin.
• Kai Witte: Kai Witte is a German footballer who currently plays for Hamburger SV in the 2. Bundesliga.
• Bob Witte: Bob Witte is an American radio personality from Wisconsin and the self-proclaimed "King of D.J.s" and is a member of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.
• Fabian Witte: Fabian Witte is a German footballer who currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
• Johannes Witte: Johannes Witte was a 19th-century Dutch anthropologist who studied the modern people of East Timor and believed in the concept of racial degeneration.
• Bernt Witte: Bernt Witte is a German-born Norwegian sculptor and woodcarver who is best known for his large woodcarvings of German, Norwegian, and Swedish artists.
• Helmut Witte: Helmut Witte is a German composer and classical musician, who specializes in concertos, operas and symphonies.
• Nikolaus Witte: Nikolaus Witte was a German classical scholar and numismatist, who wrote extensively on the ancient coins of Germany, and is credited with the first German translation of Hercunides' treatise on coins.
• Johannes Witte de Hoon: Johannes Witte de Hoon was a Dutch classical scholar and diplomat in the early 17th century, who served as the Dutch ambassador to the Holy Roman Empire and was influential in the negotiation of peace agreements.
• Frits Witte: Frits Witte is a Dutch sculptor who is best known for his works in aluminum and stainless steel.

Other surnames

WittWittauschWittberWittbrodtWittbrotWittcoppWitteckWittekWittekindWittekindtWittekopWittekopfWittelWittemaierWittemannWittemeierWittemeyerWittemöllerWittenWittenbergWittenbergerWittenmaierWittenmeierWittgenWittgensWittgesWitthaarWitthansWitthaupt