Surname Weihsgerber - Meaning and Origin
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Weihsgerber: What does the surname Weihsgerber mean?
Weihsgerber is a German surname which means “tavern-keeper”. The name originated in the Middle Ages when local people used to own public taverns. It was originally spelled Weisgerber, which literally means “white innkeeper”. The surname eventually evolved to Weihsgerber.
The name likely originated in Bavaria and has spread throughout Germany over time. It has become more common in areas of Austria, Switzerland, and France as well. People with this surname can trace their family roots all the way back to the late 1400s.
In Germanic culture, surnames are rooted in occupation, location, or personal characteristics. As a result, many surnames originated when people began using last names to distinguish themselves from others of the same first name. The Weihsgerber surname literally means “tavern keeper”, though likely refers to tavern owners and beer brewers who were respected members of the local community.
Weihsgerber is not a common name today, however it is an interesting part of German history and culture which can help trace back a person’s genealogy. Despite the occupational origins of the name, individuals with the Weihsgerber surname may not necessarily have had relatives associated with the tavern or beer industry.
Order DNA origin analysisWeihsgerber: Where does the name Weihsgerber come from?
The last name Weihsgerber is commonly found in various regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. It is particularly common in the southern German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Thuringia.
Weihsgerber is derived from old German words, meaning 'counselor' or 'one who decides'. It is thought to have first been used as occupational surnames for people who served as counselors or advisors.
In Germany, the name Weihsgerber is still widely used, occurring regularly in daily life. For example, in the filtered population search for Germany, Weihsgerber appears as one of the most common surnames.
The name is even found beyond Germanic regions. Austria, for example, is home to many Weihsgerbers living in and around the city of Vienna, while Switzerland is home to some individuals who have the name as well.
Weihsgerbers can also be found in many other countries too, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. This is due to the German diaspora, with large numbers of German immigrants moving to these countries in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The last name Weihsgerber is an ancient Germanic name still found in several countries today. Whether living in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or elsewhere, Weihsgerbers may still find a connection to their past when seeing their name written or used.
Variations of the surname Weihsgerber
Weihsgerber, Weyhsgerber, Weisgerber, Weysgerber, and Waisgerber are the different variants and spellings of the same origin for the surname Weihsgerber. The name is most likely of German origin and derived from the German noun 'Weißgerber' which means 'whitesmith' or 'white tanner'. The Weihsgerber coat of arms is a vertical line with seven bars' encircled by two laurel branches tied together at the center.
The different variants of the Weihsgerber name exist due to the fact that each area of Germany had its own distinctive way of spelling the same name. If a family member moved to a new region, they often adopted a more common spelling in that area. The Weihsgerber coat of arms is said to have originated sometime in the late 16th century, making it one of the oldest coats of arms.
It's also a common practice for a surname to become corrupted over time as it is passed down through the generations. Thus, stemming from the main name Weihsgerber, there are a variety of surnames that can be traced back to the same origin. These include Waisgerber, Weysgerber, Weisgerber, Weyhsgerber, Wiessgerber, Waisgerber, Weissgerber, Waissgerber, Weysgerber, Weygerber and more.
No matter which version of the Weihsgerber surname is used, they can be securely linked back to a single origin.
Famous people with the name Weihsgerber
- Ludwig Weihsgerber (1904-1994): German writer and poet.
- Wolfgang Weihsgerber (1932-1992): German sculptor and artist.
- Herbert Weihsgerber (1937-2013): German composer and conductor.
- Helmut Weihsgerber (1932-): Austrian politician.
- August Weihsgerber (1914-1969): Austrian-born American comedian and actor.
- Sigrun Weihsgerber (1961-): Austrian physician and astronomer.
- Johannes Weihsgerber (1943-): German photographer and artist.
- Mark Weihsgerber (1958-): American composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer.
- Jörg Weihsgerber (1965-): German computer scientist.
- Friedrich Weihsgerber (1910-2004): German sculptor, painter, and graphic artist.