Surname Wegrich - Meaning and Origin

Wegrich: What does the surname Wegrich mean?

The last name Wegrich is derived from the German word “Wig” which means “battle” or “struggle”. This suggests that the original bearer of this surname engaged in some type of fighting for a living, likely a soldier or warrior. It is also believed that this name may have been used as a nickname for a person who behaved in a way reminiscent of a soldier, being courageous or explaining themselves in a way that seemed out of the ordinary.

The family name Wegrich may have also been used as a locational name to describe people who lived near a ford or a shallow part of a river. This is because in Olde German the word “wegrich” means “wading” or “crossing.”

The earliest recorded instance of the Wegrich surname can be traced back to the year 1275 in the parish of Sachsen in Magdeburg, Germany. It is believed that this is where the name originated and where the family remained for many centuries before spreading throughout Europe.

The Wegrich family became prominent throughout history and achieved significant success as skilled craftsmen, businessmen, and landowners, as well as holding political positions. Throughout the centuries the name Wegrich has become synonymous with strength, bravery, and courage.

Wegrich: Where does the name Wegrich come from?

The surname Wegrich is more commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe.

Originally the last name was derived from the old German word “weg” which translates to “the way” or “the path”. This suggests that Wegrich is likely a toponymic surname that refers to someone who has moved from the place they were born to a new pathway or location.

The first recorded spelling of the name was in 1208, when Margarite Wegerich is noted in the Charters of Böhmen. Other records of the surname Wegrich appear in official documents in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic throughout the centuries.

The roots of Wegrich as a name have remained mostly unchanged in modern times, though it is often spelled as Wegerich, Wegrech, Wigrich, and so on. The name is relatively rare in the United States though there are some Wegrich families living in the states today.

The surname is most common throughout Germany and Austria, where it is used primarily by those with German or Austrian heritage. While the spelling varies depending on the region, it is always pronounced 'weg-yr-ik'.

Variations of the surname Wegrich

The surname Wegrich is a surname of Germanic origin, typically found in Germany. Variant spellings and surnames thought to be of the same origin include Wegraich, Wegreech, Wigraich, Wigreech, Wiegraich, Wiegreech, Wagram, Wigram, and Wogray.

Wegrich and its variants are thought to have derived from the Germanic personal name Wigricus. This combination of words consists of the Germanic elements ‘wig’ and ‘ric’ meaning “power” and “ruler” respectively. It’s possible that the early bearers of Wegrich were those who had power and authority in the local area.

The surname Wegrich could also be a habitational name for those who originated from any one of several places named with the elements ‘wig’ and ‘ric’. Locations with these names include various parts of German-speaking Europe, such as Wigrichendorf, Wigrichestein or Wigrichestivel.

The contemporary surnames Wagram, Wigram, or Wogray may also be linked to Wegrich with an uncertain connection, as the elements of the names are the same, but the endings are different.

Wegrich is a less prevalent surname, but variations of the name are still documented in Germany, making it likely that many more bearers exist. It is also possible to find the name in areas of the U.S. with higher populations of German immigrants, such as Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Famous people with the name Wegrich

• Alice Wegrich: Film producer, writer, and director, Alice Wegrich is best known for creating the 10-episode web series "The Commitment".
• Eric Wegrich: Eric Wegrich is an actor and writer, featured in movies such as “Perfect Stranger” and “Taxi”.
• Fred Wegrich: Fred Wegrich is a former American football tackle who played two seasons for the Washington Redskins.
• Herman Wegrich: Herman Wegrich was an early 20th century American actor known for his performances in films such as “The Thunderbolt”.
• Jonas Wegrich: Jonas Wegrich is a Danish actor known for his roles in “The Hunt” and “Tal R: The Virgin”.
• Robert Wegrich: Robert Wegrich is a renowned forensic accountant who has been featured on television shows such as CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360° and the Wall Street Journal Report.
• Steven Wegrich: Singer and songwriter Steven Wegrich released his debut album “Stillborn in Paradise” in 1989.
• Tim Wegrich: College basketball coach Tim Wegrich is currently the head men's basketball coach at Wagner College.
• Jay Wegrich: Jay Wegrich is a stand-up comedian and radio host from LA. He is the co-host of podcast “Oh My God With Jay and Will Wegrich”.
• Will Wegrich: Will Wegrich is an actor, director, and writer known for films such as “Suburban Knights” and “The Sequence”. He is also the co-host of podcast “Oh My God With Jay and Will Wegrich”.

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