Surname Weidner - Meaning and Origin
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The iGENEA DNA Test: Unearthing the Global Tapestry behind the Weidner Surname
The iGENEA DNA test offered a unique insight into my Weidner family's deep-rooted history. It sparked astonishment and introduced higher value towards my family name and identity, revealing a blend of varied ethnicities -primarily Celtic and Germanic-, with connections to Europe far beyond Germany. This new-found heritage knowledge influenced a much broader understanding of my roots and identity.
H. Weidner
read moreWeidner: What does the surname Weidner mean?
The last name Weidner is a German patronymic surname derived from the given name "Weidner". This name was used to denote a family of deer-masters, indicating the profession or status of the original bearer. The name derives from the Old High German "wido" meaning forest or "weida" meaning meadow and "er" meaning "a descendant of".
The earliest record of the Weidner surname dates back to 1290, when a ‘Weydonier de Wutzland’ was witnessed in documents from Bavaria, Germany. The first known Weidners to settle in the United States were Christian and Elizabeth Weidner, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1742 (with several of their children). Today, the Weidner surname is most common in the United States, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Canada.
Weidner is a strong, proud surname, representing families of immense history and societal impact. Despite variations in spelling and variations in pronunciation in different countries, it is possible to trace the lineage of many modern-day Weidners back to the same founding ancestor. It is a testament to the lasting legacy of the Weidner family, and all who carry the name should be proud to bear the family name.
Order DNA origin analysisWeidner: Where does the name Weidner come from?
The last name Weidner is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is estimated that about 90,000 people in Germany currently have the last name Weidner. It is also found in countries with large German-speaking communities, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In these countries, there are approximately 10,000 people with the last name Weidner.
The last name Weidner has a few possible origins. It is thought that it may be derived from the Old German word "weida," meaning "fable," or the Old German word "weidon," meaning "hunt." Alternatively, the name could be derived from the Middle High German word "weidener," meaning "guardian of the hunt."
The name Weidner is most frequently found in the German state of Bavaria. It is also prevalent in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Thuringia. The surname is also present in Austria, where it is the third-most common surname.
The Weidner name is found across many different professions. Common occupations among those with the surname include teachers, engineers, bankers, farmers, and other professionals. Additionally, the Weidner family is well known for their involvement in the development of German industry.
Variations of the surname Weidner
The surname Weidner has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include the French form Weidner, the German form Wiedner, the Dutch form Weijdner, and the Italian form Widman.
The different spellings of the surname Weidner are derived from several Germanic names, such as Weidaner (from the Middle High German wītan, meaning "hunt"), Widemann (from the Old High German Widu, "wide"), and Widener (from the Middle German Wendener, meaning "hunter").
The French form Weidner is derived from a Germanic name Weidaner, which is from the Middle High German wītan, meaning "hunt". The Dutch form Weijdner is a combination of two words: 'Weide' (a Dutch and Low German word for pasture or meadow) and 'ner' (which comes from the Germanic personal name Nar which means 'famous').
The Italian form Widman is a combination of the Old High German word Widu, which translates to "wide," and mann which means "man". There is a Swedish spelling of Weidner, which is spelled Väidner.
In addition to the spellings outlined above, there are several other surnames related to Weidner. These include Widnauer (a German spelling derived from the Germanic personal name Widwine) and Widenor (a Middle English spelling derived from the Old English word Weidriht, meaning "forest-keeper").
Finally, there are also variants of the surname Weidner which include Widner, Weadner, Wiedmer, Widmar, Wyder, Wiedemann, Wiedenmann, Wyderman, Widmann, Widmanner, Weidinger, Weidlinger, Wieder, Wiedel, and Wiedmeyer.
Famous people with the name Weidner
- Damon Weidner, BP America Inc. executive
- Ted Weidner, Senior Technical Program Manager at Amazon
- David Weidner, Emmy Award-nominated journalist and former Wall Street Journal reporter
- Matthew Weidner, Florida attorney and current candidate for Florida Governor
- John Weidner, Canadian scientist, historian, and author
- William Weidner, former President and CEO of Las Vegas Sands
- Mike Weidner, former president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
- George Weidner, former Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- John Weidner, former bishop of the Old Catholic Church of the Netherlands
- Charles Weidner, American author, speaker, and life sciences consultant