Surname Weiker - Meaning and Origin
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Weiker: What does the surname Weiker mean?
The last name Weiker is of German origin and is an occupational surname referring to someone who was a weaver or involved in some other textile production. In the Middle Ages, weaving was an important craft and profession, and many weaving guilds existed to regulate the production and marketing of cloth. The suffix “-er” denotes a person who works in a certain trade, so the last name Weiker translates to “one who weaves” or “weaver.”
The Weiker name first began to appear in the mid-16th century, indicating that the family was one of the earliest weaving guilds. Weikers were also spread throughout the German-speaking regions of Europe, as well as into the newly founded United States of America. Besides being a family of weavers, the Weikers also served as farmers, merchants, and shepherds.
The Weiker name has gone through various spelling changes over the centuries, including Weycher, Weycker, Weiker, Wiicker, and Wycker.
Today, the Weiker name is seen all over the world, its weavers having created strong family connections and continued a long tradition of cloth-making, with the last name “Weiker” now standing for that ancient craft.
Order DNA origin analysisWeiker: Where does the name Weiker come from?
The last name Weiker is most commonly found in Germany today. Specifically, the name is concentrated in the northern and southern regions, with most people in the north having their origins in Westphalia, and those in the south having their origins in Bavaria.
Weiker is thought to be a patronym, meaning it is a variation on a given name. The given name in this case is likely Werner or Wehrner, both of which originates from the Germanic “weri”, meaning defence.
The surname is also found in mainly German-speaking countries around Europe such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as in larger German or Austrian-settled areas of the world such as America, Canada, Argentina, and South Africa. In the United States, the name is most popular in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois.
Despite the last name originating centuries ago, it is still used by many people today. Notable Weikers include German-born American architect Karl Weiker, writer Monika Weyker, and agriculture professor Wilfrid Weiker.
Variations of the surname Weiker
The surname Weiker originates from a Germanic surname, which was derived from the personal name "Wiger," and was popular throughout south Germany during the Middle Ages. It is alternatively spelled Wieker, Weikert, Weigert, Wyker, or Wyckert. The name's origin can be traced to "wig," which literally translates to "war."
Weiker and its variants have several different regional spellings, such as Wiegand, Wiegger, Wichard, Weygers, Wiggers, Weicher, Weichard, Weygant, Wygart, and Weagant. There are also regional variations in spelling such as Wieker in Thuringia, or Weiker in Baden-Württemberg.
The surname Weiker can also be found throughout Europe, with variations of the name appearing in the Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary, and Lithuania. In the Netherlands, the surname is most often spelled Weijk or Weyk. In Denmark, it is Weik, while in Hungary, it is Weiker or Veker, and in Lithuania, it is Veker.
Despite its variations in spelling, the surname Weiker is often recognisable by its characteristic double 'e' (Wieker in Thuringia, Weik in Denmark, Weiker in Hungary and Lithuania) making it an easily identifiable surname.
Famous people with the name Weiker
- Alexander Weiker: Austrian-born actor and physicist who has numerous credits in film, television and theater.
- Mel Weiker: American singer-songwriter and performance artist.
- Analiese Weiker: American producer and editor for MTV.
- Alice Weiker: American business executive, philanthropist and author.
- Nick Weiker: former professional snowboarder who is known for his role as coach and mentor to some of the top snowboarders in the world.
- Jonathan Weiker: Emmy Award-winning television producer and director.
- Peter Weiker: influential American businessman who founded a publishing company in the 1960s.
- Chris Weiker: American artist and filmmaker known for his innovative approach to filmmaking and his independent spirit.
- Marilyn Weiker: American philanthropist and former television producer whose work has focused on the empowerment of women.
- Hillary Weiker: American writer and film director whose documentaries have been widely praised internationally and have won numerous awards.