Surname Wedger - Meaning and Origin

Wedger: What does the surname Wedger mean?

The last name Wedger is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English word 'wegga,' which means to join, bind, fasten or wedge. This name likely originated as a job description for someone who wedged pieces of wood together, or wedge-shaped objects together. The occupation of a wedger appears to have been an important part of medieval society, as it involved using metal tools to fashion objects, often incorporating knife handles, chisels and other wooden tools.

Wedger could also have been an occupational name for a tanner. In this job, tanners took skins and hides from animals and used wooden wedges to stretch and soften them into calf, kip and sheep leather. The wedges would be left in place, until the leather was dry, and then they would be removed. This could have been a source of the Wedger surname.

Wedger is still a common surname today, and can be found in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and other parts of the world with British connection.

While the meaning and job associated with the last name Wedger is known, its exact origins remain a mystery. Whether it was derived from a trade name, a place name, or a personal name, the only thing we can be certain of is that the Wedger family has a long and proud heritage.

Wedger: Where does the name Wedger come from?

The last name Wedger is typically found within the United States, especially in the Midwest region. According to the 2010 US Census, over 2,000 people across the country were listed as having the Wedger surname. Of these, the majority were concentrated in Wisconsin (800), Illinois (671), Michigan (211), Ohio (174), and Nebraska (128).

Wedger is a rare but fairly widespread surname, likely of English origin where it was used to describe a maker of wicker baskets. Over time as the Wedger family spread, it's likely other occupations were associated with the name.

Despite its prevalence in the Midwest, Wedger is also found throughout other parts of the US. More specifically, Wedger can be found in Arizona, where the surname ranks in the top 12,000-16,000 range, with just over 100 people. The same is true in Montana, where the surname is present in the top 12,000-15,000 range.

In fact, the earliest Wedger in known records was Samuel Wedger, who was born in Virginia in 1690. He is the earliest recorded Wedger in the US, and despite an original migration from England in the 1600s, the Wedger surname has since spread to most parts of the US.

Variations of the surname Wedger

The surname Wedger is of Anglo-Saxon and Germanic origin. It is derived from the Old English pre-7th Century word "wegher", which itself derives from the Middle English whegier, meaning "pincer". In some cases, the surname may also be of occupational origin, due to individuals who worked as a weaver.

The variants of this surname include Wedger, Wedgers, Weger, Wegers, Wegher, Wedgher, Wudger, Wedgerson, Wedgirson and Wedgours. Spelling variations may include Wegger, Weggar, Wedgair, Wedgar, W eggar, Wedgars, Weggers and Wedgers.

In Germany, the surname Wedger was derived from the Old German term "weger", which translates to "cloth worker". This occupation was particularly commonplace during the Middle Ages. This is why the surname is also present in countries such as France, where the word “weder” is used as the German equivalent of the term "weger", and in England, where the word "wegher" was used.

Surnames related to Wedger include Wedgman, Wedgwood, Wedge, Wedges and Wages.

The Wedger surname is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, especially across the regions of England and Scotland. It is also present in other countries of Europe, including France, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland.

In the United States, the Wedger surname is more frequently found among descendants of British origins. The surname is also present in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Famous people with the name Wedger

• Grailed Wedger Jr.: an American country singer-songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist who was a pioneer in electronic music for country artists.
• Bear Wedger: a Canadian hip-hop artist who has been featured on songs with Drake.
• Rod Wedger: a British actor who has appeared in several television programs such as Game of Thrones and Vikings.
• Clif Wedger: a musician and producer from New Zealand who was in a punk band known for its songs about rebellion, independence, and having a good time.
• Wesley Wedger: an American knitwear designer who has designed and created garments for several celebrities.
• Rory Wedger: a British actor known for his roles in The BFG, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
• Evadne Wedger: a Canadian contemporary artist specializing in installation art.
• Paul Wedger: an Australian wildlife photographer who has published several books and magazine features about wild animals.
• Walter Wedger: a German photographer and producer of films about abandoned places and forgotten cultures.
• Markus Wedger: a Swiss-French singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music blends folk, blues, jazz, and electronic elements.

Other surnames

Wedgewood