Surname Waigand - Meaning and Origin

Waigand: What does the surname Waigand mean?

The surname Waigand has German roots, and in its original form is spelt "Weygand". It is derived from the words "wige" or "weiga", meaning a meadow, and "and", meaning a ridge. As a result, the literal translation of the name Waigand is "ridge meadow".

Waigand is an occupational surname, meaning that it was given to someone who held a specific job or profession, such as a weigher or ‘wiga’. A weigher was someone who weighed scales to measure goods, and it was a job with much responsibility and prestige in medieval Germany.

The surname Waigand is found mainly in Prussia and Germany but has spread to France, Holland and even to the United States. In more recent years, the surname is often written as “Wagner” or “Vagner”.

The English translation of the name Waigand is “Dweller at the Ridge Meadow”, suggesting a strong connection to the land and a group of people settled in one particular spot who share a common ancestor. Through the ages, this connection to the meadow has remained, giving the Waigand family a sense of identity and community.

Waigand: Where does the name Waigand come from?

The last name Waigand is of German origin and is most commonly found throughout Germany today. It is especially prevalent in the southern German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, but is also widely found in the states of Saxony and Brandenburg. The earliest known ancestor of the Waigand family was an early 16th century German nobleman, Wilhelm von Waigand, who owned an estate and a number of domains in the region.

In modern times, the Waigands are still a powerful force in German social and economic circles. They own numerous professional services firms and business enterprises, spurring further growth of their family name. Furthermore, many members of the family have held important political positions across Germany over the years.

Outside of Germany, the Waigands have a strong presence in North America, particularly in Canada and the United States. The largest concentrations can be found in the Midwest and Northeastern regions of the United States as well as in other areas with large German-American communities, such as Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.

As a fairly large and still growing family, the Waigand surname can be found in other parts of Europe, such as Hungary, France, and the Netherlands. In addition, the name is also common among expatriate German communities in South America and elsewhere around the world.

Variations of the surname Waigand

The surname Waigand is derived from the Old German personal name Wigand. It is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the given name of the father of the initial bearer. Variants for the Waigand surname include Weigand, Weygand, Weigant, Weigend, Waigant, Waigandt, Weykandt, Weigelt, and Weighard. There are also several alternate spellings, which include Weigond, Weygen, Weigant, Weigend, Wiegand, Wigend, Vigand, and Veygand. There are some other surnames of the same Germanic origin, such as Wykander, Weihard, Weigmund, Weygen, and Weygant.

Waigand is a fairly common surname in Germany, and German immigrants have been known to carry this name into the United States and other parts of the world. The earliest recorded occurrences of the name, however, were back in the mid-9th century, during Charlemagne’s rule. It has been suggested that the name was originally associated with a local chief at that time, named Wigand.

The most common known use of the Waigand surname is that of the family Waigandt from the Palatinate region of Germany. This family can trace its lineage back to the 12th century and is still well represented within Germany today.

Overall, Waigand is a surname that has been around for a long time and has many important associations with people and places throughout history. Its many variants, spellings, and related names, demonstrate the deep roots Waigand has in Germanic history.

Famous people with the name Waigand

• Stephen Waigand: Actor, known for his roles in And So It Goes, Blue Bloods, and Deception.
• Trevor Waigand: Actor, known for roles in Pitch Perfect and Ten Inch Hero.
• Carin Waigand: United States federal judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois nominated by President Barack Obama on April 11, 2016.
• Paul Waigand: Musician and member of the alt-country band, "The Waigands". He is the leader and songwriter for the Arkansas-based group.
• Christian Waigand: Austrian actor, known for roles in television dramas such as Germany’s Tatort, as well as films such as Feuerengel, Der letzte Bulle, and others.
• Nicholas Waigand: Former Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL.
• Michael Waigand: German snowboarder who has won multiple World Championships.
• Dave Waigand: Former Major League Baseball player who played for the St. Louis Cardinals.
• John Waigand: Executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the American Heart Association.
• Gunter Waigand: German cyclist who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics.

Other surnames

WaigandtWaigant