Surname Wittig - Meaning and Origin

Discovering Wittig: Unveiling unexpected ancestral connections through iGENEA DNA testing

In an enlightening exploration of my family's history, a DNA test with iGENEA provided valuable insights into my ancestors, the Wittigs. From unexpected Scandinavian roots to the surprising social background, the DNA test significantly influenced my self-understanding, illuminating the vast and complex tapestry that is my genetic heritage.

E. Wittig

Wittig: What does the surname Wittig mean?

The last name Wittig is of German origin. The surname is derived from the German word "Witzig," meaning "funny, witty, humorous." This name originated as a nickname for someone with a witty or humorous personality.

The Wittig family appears to have a noble origin, based on the fact that it is a relatively uncommon last name. It first appeared in the medieval German province of Prussia, when noble families adopted hereditary surnames to distinguish themselves from the commoners of the time. The Wittig family was noted for its reverent fear of God and their loyalty to the German court.

The Wittig family crest is typically depicts a black shield with an axe pointing downwards. The axe is used to symbolize protection. The Wittig family motto is “Rühre mein Moos” which translated to English means “Stir My Moss” - a message of warning to those who would threaten them.

The Wittig family has spread its roots across the world, as evidenced by people with this surname living in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries. It can also still be found in parts of Prussia and Austria. According to a 2019 population study, there are an estimated 10,000 people worldwide with the last name Wittig.

Wittig: Where does the name Wittig come from?

The last name Wittig is quite common in Germany. In fact, according to the German statistical office from 2017, the last name is ranked #7704, making it the 438th most common surname in the country. Historically, the word "Wittig" descended from the Old High German "wizig," which means "wise." This name likely indicated that the Wittig family had a reputation for being wise and cunning.

The Wittig family is also common in many other European countries, particularly in Switzerland, Norway, and Austria. In the United States, the last name is less frequent, as it ranks 32,412 out of the 150,000 most common surnames in the country.

The most recent migration numbers indicate that the last name has spread throughout much of the Western world, as it is particularly common today in Mexico, Australia, Canada and Latin America. Thus, it’s likely that the Wittig surname has spread far beyond its place of origin.

Variations of the surname Wittig

Wittig is a German surname which was originally a locational surname derived from a town named Wittingen situated near Hanover in Lower Saxony. It is believed to have originated from a Middle Low German word which means a small wood or clearing in a wood.

Variants of this surname include Wittinck, Wittigk, Wittigke, Wittiges, Wittineck and Wittings and spellings can include Whitting, Witting, Wittingk, Witting and Wittingen.

In some cases, variations of this name can spellings or pronunciation changes such as Whiting, Wittink, Whitink, Whittick and Whitticar.

Surnames connected to Wittig may include Witthöft, Vetting, Vitting, Vitt, Witecki, Witticke and Wittinghausen.

In some cases, Wittig is seen as a variant of the Sutherland surname which originates from the same region of Germany and is believed to derive from the Old Norse Aetheling which translates as of noble birth.

Other surnames associated with this surname can include Witt, Wittig, Witith, Wittesing, Wittels, Wittke, Witteck, Vittek, Witte, Wittet, Wittgen, Witthoeft, Wittig, Wittman and Witting.

Most of these surnames are associated with the name and have developed over time, often due to historical political or religious upheavals.

Famous people with the name Wittig

• Henry Wittig: a German physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1979.
• Hans Wittig: a German mathematician known for his work in algebraic topology.
• Karl Wittig: a German chemist and Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry in 1909.
• Sandra Wittig: a German politician and member of the SPD party.
• Henning Wittig: a German actor and musician.
• Hester Wittig: an American writer, speaker, and consultant on the topics of grief, death, and dying.
• Johannes Wittig: a German sculptor who was well known for his works in stone and bronze.
• Thomas Wittig: an Austrian composer whose works include both orchestral and chamber music.
• Péter Wittig: a Hungarian visual artist who works primarily in the medium of painting.
• Lutz Wittig: a German astrophysicist known for his work in solar physics.

Other surnames

WittiberWittichWitting