Surname Westrich - Meaning and Origin
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Westrich: What does the surname Westrich mean?
The last name Westrich is of Anglo Saxon origin and is thought to be a locational name derived from the Old English ‘westryc’. This term is a compound of ‘weast’ meaning ‘west’ and ‘ric’ meaning ‘power’ or ‘realm’, thus making the name literally mean ‘the power or realm in the west’. The name may have been acquired by those who originally lived near or on the west coast, or even related to someone who held sway over a portion of land located in the west.
In some cases the name may also have evolved from the Old English distinctively male given name ‘Westric’ which is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This element is also compound and consists of ‘weast’ and ‘ric’ , so can be seen to carry a similar meaning to Westrich.
The name has been associated with many noble families in Britain and Ireland from medieval times. It is often seen as a surname of distinguished nobility, associated with local lords and land owners of earlier days. Westrich is a widely spread surname, with records in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Many of its holders are believed to be descended from a twelfth century Anglo-Norman family.
Today, the name is still held in high esteem and recognize as that of a strong and dignified lineage. It can be seen as a proud reminder of the families that have built and protected the nations of today through their rule and customs.
Order DNA origin analysisWestrich: Where does the name Westrich come from?
The last name Westrich is most commonly found in the United States today, with large concentrations in the Midwest states of Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa. It is also found in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Dakota. According to a study released in 2020, Westrich is the 1,941st most common surname in the United States, making it less common than average.
Westrich is also found in other parts of the world, including small populations in countries such as Canada, Australia, England, and Germany. In Canada, there is a small concentration of Westrichs in the cities of Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.
It is likely that the name Westrich originated in Germany during the 18th century. The Westrich family would have migrated to other countries looking for a better life, and many of them ended up in the United States.
It is believed that the Westrich family name has a coat of arms, which has been sought out by many researchers. Unfortunately, no current evidence exists to suggest an official coat of arms for the Westrichs, although a number of unofficial propagations exist.
The Westrich surname is most commonly associated with farming and agriculture, as this was the occupation of many of the original Westrichs who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany in the 19th century. Today, many members of the Westrich family are still involved in the agricultural industry in some way, either as farmers themselves or in related businesses.
Overall, Westrich is an uncommon but distinctly German-American surname with a long and interesting history.
Variations of the surname Westrich
Westrich is a spelling variant of the surname Westrick, with other spelling variations including Westrick, Westrik, Westwig, Westwick and Westwick.
The Westrich surname is believed to have originated in Germany because of its prevalence there and among German immigrant families. The compound surname West(e)rich combines two Germanic words—West meaning west or western and Rich meaning power or ruler. As such, the likely meaning of the surname is that of a ruler or leader from the west.
The most common meaning attributed to the surname Westrich is that of a western ruler, given its combination of German words describing the west and power or ruler. However, other theories suggest that the surname may have been derived from a North German name formed from the old Germanic tag 'westerich' or the Old English tag 'westers' meaning 'westerner' or 'western settlers'.
Some variants of the surname Westrich include Westerich, Washrich, Weserich, Westelich and Westrish. The surname Westrich is also commonly found with the prefixes Van or Von before the name in German and Dutch, and De before the name in French, to indicate a family of nobility.
Common cognates of the surname Westrich include Westers, Westra, Westray, Westrae, Westrey, Westry and Wertz. It has also been adopted by families of other nationalities including Dutch, French, English and Swedish, with the surname often appearing as Westera, Weesteren, Westryk, Vesterstrå and Vestrich, respectively.
Famous people with the name Westrich
- Brian Westrich: American Minor League Baseball outfielder from 1996-2001
- Namdi Omwatcha Westrich: USMC Security Officer
- Zach Westrich: Football coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stout
- Zac Westrich: Entrepreneur, digital marketer and certified real estate instructor
- Bob Westrich: Oregon Ducks Football assistant coach
- Dominic Westrich: Retired NFL and Arena Football League defensive back
- Luke Westrich: Immersive theatre creator, director and producer dedicated to creating thought evoking experiences
- Lavon Westrich: Former Canadian Football League all-star offensive lineman
- Spencer Westrich: Former professional soccer player
- Gale Westrich: Actor, known for Night Court