Surname Weißhaar - Meaning and Origin
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Weißhaar: What does the surname Weißhaar mean?
The last name Weißhaar is a German surname which literally means “white hair.” It is found primarily in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany, and in some Swiss villages such as Rorschacherberg in St. Gallen. It may be derived from Old German words meaning “white” or “white haired.” There is also some speculation that it is a variation of the surname Wisseler, meaning “tailor.”
There are a few Linked genealogies which provide a glimpse into the origin and history of the Weißhaar surname. It began as a nickname for someone with white hair, and its commonality has been traced back to around the late 17th century. According to the genealogical research, it appears that there were originally two separate branches of the Weißhaar family. These two branches later unified and their descendants were primarily concentrated in the Rheinau region around the mid 19th century.
The name Weißhaar is still common among descendants of this line and is still found in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. Those bearing this name are often proud of their heritage and of their ancestors who have descended from such a distinguished name. While the current spelling has slightly varied from the original “Weisshaar”, the meaning and history behind it remains the same.
Order DNA origin analysisWeißhaar: Where does the name Weißhaar come from?
The last name Weißhaar is most commonly found in Germany. Records show it is located in areas within the states of Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, and Hamburg. Weißhaar is a German surname derived from the German word "weisshaar" which means white hair. It is likely that the name was first adopted by a family who were hereditary white-haired members and it eventually became an inherited family name.
Today the surname Weißhaar is listed as the 1,653rd most common surname in Germany and is estimated to be documented in over 50,000 households. It is also found in other countries, such as the United States, with an estimated 7,000 households. It is primarily seen in Jewish families who have origins in Germany and Austria. It can also be found in certain areas of South America, Australia, and South Africa, among other countries.
The Weißhaar name is a unique one that holds a special meaning. It's symbolic of the family’s origin from the combination of hair that was white at birth and over time and generations, passed down from father to son. As a reminder of the family’s beginnings, the Weißhaar name is still common today and spread through multiple countries.
Variations of the surname Weißhaar
Weißhaar is a German surname that is derived from the Middle High German word 'wîz', which means "gray" or "white". As such, the name translates literally to "white hair". This surname may appear in several alternative spellings due to regional languages and dialects.
Some of the variants of Weißhaar are Weisshaar, Waißer, Vizer, Weifser, Weiffer, Visor, and Wizer. Additionally, this surname is used in some regions of Austria, with the spellings Vaisar or Vaizer.
Other surnames of the same origin include Weiser, Weißer, Weisser, and Weitz. These subtle variations are found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and other regions that share a Germanic heritage, and are largely due to differences in regional dialects and pronunciation.
Even as names are localized differently from one place to another, the literal meaning of Weißhaar remains "white hair". This is a popular surname, being the 13,364th most frequent name in Germany and the 11,487th most popular surname in Austria.
Famous people with the name Weißhaar
- David Weißhaar: German footballer who played in the Bundesliga, Second Bundesliga and Regionalliga, as well as internationally for the German youth teams.
- Jacob Weißhaar: Former Norvegian footballer who played as a defender for the Norway national team and several clubs in Norway.
- Olaf Weißhaar: A former professional tennis player who competed in several Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open and Wimbledon.
- Klaus Weißhaar: German ice hockey player who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.
- Bernd Weißhaar: German professional footballer who played in the Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga as well as several European teams.
- Andreas Weißhaar: Former German swimmer who was part of the first German Olympic swimming team in 1960.
- Linda Weißhaar: German-American actress and television presenter best known for her roles in “Saturday Night Live” and “Law & Order”.
- Uwe Weißhaar: German former alpine skier and two-time Olympian.
- George Weißhaar: U.S. Soccer player from the 1950s who competed in the Amateur Cup and the National Challenge Cup.
- Peter Weißhaar: German writer and poet who is best known for his work about East Germany.