Surname Ludwigh - Meaning and Origin
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Ludwigh: What does the surname Ludwigh mean?
The surname Ludwigh is believed to be of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the medieval name Ludwig, which is composed of two elements - "hluod", meaning “famous”, and “wig”, meaning “war”. Together, these two elements form the compound noun “famous warrior”, an apt designation for the generations of Ludwighs that descended from them.
The surname has become associated with the Ludwig family, which originated in Lübeck in northern Germany. This branch of the Ludwighs were widely distributed in the area of Lübeck and Hamburg (Germany), and placed many of their members in positions of power and influence. Some branches of the Ludwig family also immigrated to Holland.
The name Ludwig is also believed to have come from the Old High German Chlodovech, or "the famed warrior". This indicates that the name was strongly associated with noble families in Germany, as it was popularized by Charlemagne.
Over time, the name has taken on a distinct meaning all of its own, and is no longer associated solely with the Ludwig family. It is now known to symbolize strength, courage, and a commitment to one's beliefs. It is a reminder of the many Luwighs throughout history that have left their mark on the world.
Order DNA origin analysisLudwigh: Where does the name Ludwigh come from?
The last name Ludwigh is most common in Germany today. In Germany, more than 200 people are registered with the name Ludwigh. It is also commonly found in the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Switzerland, the United States, and the Netherlands.
The origins of the name Ludwigh are largely unclear. It appears to come from an old Germanic language, and could denote someone who was a renowned leader, as "wigh" can mean ruler. Some have assumed it to be of Polish origin, as well; "ludw" is a Polish word that can mean great.
The name Ludwigh spread to other parts of Europe, such as Austria and Switzerland, during the 17th century. It became more common in the United States following the great immigration waves of the 19th and 20th centuries, and many people with this name in the United States today likely descend from German immigrants.
In the United States, today the Ludwigh name is most common in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois, with smaller numbers also found in California and New Jersey. The Ludwigh name has become more scattered in recent generations, but it remains most popular among German-descended families in the continental United States and Germany.
Variations of the surname Ludwigh
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Ludwigh are Ludwig, Luedwig, Luedewig, Lueding, Luedwig, Luitwig, Lutwig, Lutwigt, and Luttich. Historically, this surname can be found in various languages, including German, Dutch, and Swedish.
In German, Ludwig is derived from the Old High German “liut-” or “hlud-”, meaning “loud” and “famous”. It was a status name for those displaying the qualities associated with the words. In Dutch, the name is derived from the Germanic “ludwig” and “wige”. The combination meaning “loud-battle” would be used to describe a battle cry used to rally troops.
In Swedish, the name is derived from “Ludwig” and “wig”, meaning ‘city defense’ and ‘victory’, respectively, which would refer to one who defended a city in battle.
Variants of the surname include Ludwig, Luedwig, Luedewig, Lueding, Luedwig, Luitwig, Lutwig, Lutwigt, and Luttich. Other related spellings and surnames include: Ludwick, Lud person, Ludy, Liddle, and Lidon.
Ludwig remains the most popular form of the surname. It is among the top 5 surnames in Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. In the United States, it peaked in popularity in the 1800s. Today, it is ranked in the 11th percentile of surnames overall.
Famous people with the name Ludwigh
- Jessica Ludwig: German ice hockey player and Worlds and European championships
- Ludwig August Lebrun: German composer, one of the most important clarinet virtuosos of the classical period.
- Philipp Ludwig III: Elector Palatine, ruler of the Electoral Palatinate from 1680 until 1701
- August Ludwig Schlözer: German historian, one of the founders of the historical sciences
- Johann Ludwig Neuber: German sculptor
- Ludwig Fredrich Werner von Schill: Prussian Major General
- Louis Charles Ludwig A.K.A. Ludwig von Mises: Austrian-American economist and philosopher
- Ludwig von Hammerstein-Equord: German army general and Minister of War
- Ludwig August Lebrun: German composer
- Jürgen Ludwig Moltmann: German Reform Protestant theologian and emeritus professor of Systematic Theology
- Ludwig Erhard: German politician and Chancellor of West Germany from 1963 to 1966
- Ludwig Tieck: German Romantic author
- Ludwig Koch: Austrian sound recordist
- Johannes Ludwig Lehmann: German explorer and naturalist
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: German-American architect
- Ludwig Rosner: German film producer