Surname Weshart - Meaning and Origin
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Weshart: What does the surname Weshart mean?
The last name Weshart is believed to be of German origin, and may have originated from the German region of Westphalia. The name is derived from the name Wessel, a personal name which was popular in the Middle Ages. Wessel itself means "fighting soldier". It is believed that those with the surname Weshart were descended from people who were part of a larger metonymic occupational name or possibly from a nickname.
The name Weshart can be seen in records dating back to the 12th century when knights and nobles would take on a name that described their profession. This could have been used to describe either a warlike profession such as a soldier, or a servant of the landowner.
The name Weshart may also have had a religious connotation in the past. In old German, the words "Wessala" and "harta" both mean "humble servant" or "devout cleric". It may be possible that those with the surname Weshart were descended from religious servants.
The name Weshart still exists today, and is more common in parts of North America and Germany. Those who still have the surname may be proud of its origin, as it shows a long history and strength in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisWeshart: Where does the name Weshart come from?
The last name Weshart is most commonly found in the countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The name is related to the German word "waschen" which means "to wash," so it's thought that the surname originated in earlier times when people used it to refer to those who washed clothing, dishes, or performed other cleaning tasks.
In the United States, the last name Weshart can be found primarily in the Midwestern and Southern states, mainly in Ohio, Maryland, Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee, Michigan, and Illinois. Weshart is also present among the Amish and Mennonites in Pennsylvania and other states.
In the United Kingdom, records show that fewer than fifty people carry the surname Weshart, suggesting that it is not heavily represented in the region today.
Elsewhere in Europe, such as France, Italy, the Netherlands, and particularly Switzerland, Weshart is one of the more popular surnames. Some families spell the name "Westert," while others use the more commonly seen spelling of Weshart.
In Canada, the Weshart family were among the earliest settlers of the 18th and 19th centuries. Most of the original Weshart settlers can be traced to the province of Ontario, though the surname is now spread out across the country.
Overall, Weshart may not be one of the more common surnames found around the world but it is certainly a recognizable one.
Variations of the surname Weshart
The surname Weshart is a spelling variation of the English and German surname Weshard. Its other variants include Weshar, Weshard, Weeshard, Weeshard, and Wyeshard. In Germanic languages, the "wes" or "wees" prefix has an overall meaning of "to hunt" or "to seek." Thus, the surname Weshart may have originally been a nickname for someone who was a skilled hunter or seeker.
The English spelling "Weshard" can be traced to the West of England where it first appeared during the 13th century. It is believed to have originated in the English county of Somerset. It is also found in places such as Gloucestershire, Devon, and Wiltshire. It is known to have been established in certain families from the 14th century.
In some European countries, the name has been anglicized to "Weshard" or "Weshart." In Germany, the name has often been written as "Weishard, Weeshard, or Wyshard." Similarly, in Poland it has been written as "Wszard" or "Wezard."
In more recent years, the Weshard surname has been shortened to "Wesh," "Weshar," or "Weshart," especially in the U.S. This has created a distinct branch of the Weshard family tree in countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand; as such, it may be difficult to link people with a similar pronunciation of this name to their ancestral origins.
Famous people with the name Weshart
- Alan Wesharts: American comedian and actor
- Marla Wesharts: American author
- Todd Wesharts: Australian singer-songwriter
- Beverley Wesharts: British TV presenter
- Kristina Wesharts: Swedish entrepreneur
- Julian Wesharts: German-American artist
- Robert Wesharts: American politician
- Craig Wesharts: Australian composer
- Heather Wesharts: American actress
- Laura Wesharts: Canadian classical pianist