Surname Wey - Meaning and Origin
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Deciphering The Wey Family Name Origins: A Personal Journey Through iGENEA DNA Analysis
Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and learning through a DNA analysis at iGENEA, I delved into the origin and history of my surname Wey. The experience granted me a newfound understanding and appreciation for my family name.
B. Wey
read moreWey: What does the surname Wey mean?
The last name Wey is of German origin, derived from the name Wey, which ultimately, is a topographic surname referring to someone who lived near a body of water, such as a lake or stream. The name itself is derived from the word “wey,” which is of Proto-Germanic origin and is related to words like “wasser” ( German for water).
In addition to its geographical location, the name can also be a form of the personal name “Wido,” which is also of Proto-Germanic origin. It ultimately derives from words like “widu” which mean “forest” and “ward” which mean “guard.” As such, this could possibly denote a kinship relationship, or an occupation.
The presence of the name Wey in Germany dates back to at least the 15th century, where records of the name can be found in the region of Darmstadt. By the 19th century, the name had spread to many different regions of Germany.
Today, the last name Wey is still a popular surname predominantly found in Germany, although it is also seen in Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, and many other parts of the world. It is an interesting name that carries rich history and deep German roots.
Order DNA origin analysisWey: Where does the name Wey come from?
Wey is a patronymic surname which is particularly common in south-western Germany, especially in the area around Trier and the Moselle region. It is also found in parts of Austria and Switzerland, as well as in the United States, particularly among German immigrants who settled in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Originally, the surname Wey is thought to have been derived from the Middle High German word "wege". This word is a short form of the personal name “Adelweide" (noble tree), which was a common name used for both genders in Germany during the middle ages.
The Wey family first appears in the historical records in the 13th century. The earliest recorded Weys include Eynilin di Wey, who was present at a trial in the year 1215, along with Gunter (Gomes) Weye, who was mentioned in the records of Christian monastic communities in 1219. The Weys were also mentioned several times during the 15th and 16th centuries, usually with connections to the wine trade and inn-keeping in the Moselle region.
Today, the surname Wey is increasingly rare in Germany, only appearing in certain areas. It remains popular in the United States, however, with over 16,000 bearers listed in the US Census Bureau. The surname is most common in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Missouri, with lesser concentrations in California, New York, and Washington.
Variations of the surname Wey
The surname Wey is generally thought to be derived from the Old English word weoh, meaning "temple". This surname is found mainly in western Germany, particularly in Baden-Württemberg, and can be spelled in various ways.
The most common spellings of Wey are Wey, Weey, Weie, Weye, Weyh, Weyer, Weyers, Weying, Weyland, Weylandt, Weymann, Weyn, and Weyner.
Variants of the surname Wey include Weygand, Weyman, Weiland, Weislogel, Weyerhaeuser, Weyl, Weide, Weid, Weigand, Weichert, Weicher, Wehern, and Wegmann.
Surnames of similar origin and spelling include Wigh, Wiech, Wicher, Wichmann, Wygand, Wygoda, Wigand, Weiland, Witzel, and Welker.
Most variants of the Wey surname have German origins, though some have been changed slightly as they traveled to other countries and languages. For example, in Switzerland and Puerto Rico the native vowels are often replaced with Spanish consonants, leading to the spellings Weigand and Weyand. In some areas the y is also replaced with an i, thus Wey could become Wei.
Variations of the surname Wey can also be found in other Germanic languages such as Dutch (Weij) and French (Weyant). In some cases the spelling was changed in order to fit the local dialect or to reflect the particular spelling system of the country or region to which the family had migrated, creating such spellings as Weihe in Austria and Weisz in Hungary.
Famous people with the name Wey
- Fadiga Wey: professional soccer player from Senegal, Africa
- Shola Wey: multi-award winning Nigerian American rap artist
- Amadou Wey: professional soccer player from Mali
- Philippe Wey: professional soccer player from France
- Marcel Wey: professional soccer player from Switzerland
- Sebastian Wey: professional soccer player from Germany
- Hady Wey: professional soccer player from Senegal, Africa
- Didier Wey: professional soccer player from France
- Terence Wey: professional soccer player from Germany
- Yannick Wey: professional soccer player from Belgium
- Toni Wey: professional soccer player from Switzerland
- Patrick Wey: professional ice hockey player from Canada
- Eric Wey: professional ice hockey player from France
- Edward Wey: first mayor of the city of Buffalo in the United States of America
- Martin Wey: Swiss theologian and philosopher
- Brother Ralph Wey: US-American Benedictine monk
- Kurt Wey: Swiss sculptor
- Mandy Wey: American ceramist
- Dorcy Wey: Taiwanese-American trailblazer in the oil and gas and renewable energy industries
- Emmanuel Wey: French artist and photographer