Surname Weid - Meaning and Origin
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Weid: What does the surname Weid mean?
The surname Weid is a rare German or Dutch surname derived from the German word ‘weide’ meaning ‘meadow’ or ‘pasture’. The surname Weid dates back over 500 years and was derived from an ancient German or Dutch word for a fenced in pasture or a place where livestock were kept. This type of field was usually surrounded by a hedge or fence, and it was used to provide protection for the livestock from predators while they grazed.
The surname Weid is also associated with a trade or profession of a farmer or cattle breeder. The Weid family were known for their strong agricultural skills and beekeeping prowess. They are believed to have come from an area near the present-day German cities of Dortmund and Essen, obtained from the then Länder of Prussia and Westphalia.
The earliest recorded use of the surname Weid is from the late 1500s, in a records book from Dortmund. The book documents the marriage of Johannes Weid to Margarethe Fartholter in 1578.
Today, the surname Weid can be found in records from Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and various other European countries. The Weid name is particularly strongly associated with the Silesian region of Central Europe, where it is one of the most commonly found surnames.
Order DNA origin analysisWeid: Where does the name Weid come from?
The last name Weid is most common in Germany, where it is ranked the 552nd most common surname. The origin of the name is most likely a variation on the name Widmann, which is derived from the Middle High German wît, meaning wide. The name is also found in parts of Switzerland, as well as Austria, France, and even the United States.
In the United States, Weid is the 8,515th most common last name, with an estimated 3,200 people bearing the name. It is most frequently seen in the midwest, particularly in the states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. This may suggest a history of German immigrants who brought the name to the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Weid families of America have proven to be a successful and productive lot. From inventors to political figures, and musicians to teachers, the Weid family name has helped to shape the United States in many ways. In particular, William Edward Weid, born in Wisconsin in 1869, was considered one of the leading lumbermen in the nation’s history. Today, it’s likely that the Weid name is still associated with the same hardworking spirit that William Weid himself embodied.
Variations of the surname Weid
The surname Weid is a German last name. It is derived from the Old High German word "weidan," which means "to hunt." Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Weidt, Weit, Weite, Weyd, Weydt, Weyde, Weyden, Weidmann, Weidner, Weideman, Weydeman, Weiden, Weidenman, Weidenmann, Weidenheimer, Weidlich and Weidl.
The surnames Weid and Weiden are found in Germany and Austria. The surname Weidt is found mainly in Germany and Switzerland. The surnames Weyd, Weyde, Weydt and Weidenman can be found in Germany, Switzerland, and in Hungary, where it is one of the most common surnames.
In the United States, the surnames Weid and Weidt are found primarily in New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. The names Weyde, Weyd, Weydt, Weidenman and Weidenmann are found mainly in the Midwest states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois.
In the United Kingdom, the surname Weyd is found primarily in Northumberland, Scotland, and in North Yorkshire, England. The surname Weid is also found in various parts of England, Wales, and Scotland.
The surnames Weid and Weiden are common in the Netherlands, where they are mainly concentrated in the larger cities, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. The surnames Weyd, Weyde, Weydt, Weidlich, and Weidl are found mainly in Austria and Switzerland.
Famous people with the name Weid
- Robert Weid: German painter known for his abstract expressionism.
- Andrea Weid: Austrian television producer, journalist and chanson singer.
- Tzvi Weid: Israeli-American entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist.
- Joe Weid: German builder of carriages and wagons.
- Frank Weid: Austrian musicologist and mathematician.
- Thibaut Weid: French figure skater and three-time French National champion.
- Egon Weid: Austrian biochemist and professor at the University of Vienna.
- Michael Weid: German actor and documentary filmmaker.
- Robert Weid: Austrian cyclist who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
- Josef Weid: Czechoslovakian volleyball player who represented his country at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
- Ernst Weid: Austrian composer and conductor, mainly known for his operas.
- Björn Weid: Swedish ice hockey player who played for twelve different teams in various leagues.
- Martin Weid: Austrian-born American physicist and professor emeritus at Cornell University.
- Johann Weid: German pastor and theologian.
- Klaus Weid: German entrepreneur, known for his pioneering work in industrial robotics.
- Hermann Weid: German politician and member of the Christian Democratic Union.
- Stefan Weid: German rower who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
- Birgit Weid: German photographer and underwater video artist.
- Thomas Weid: Austrian international goalkeeper who represented his country in several international tournaments.
- Leon Weid: Swiss watchmaker and inventor.