Surname Weygand - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Weygand: What does the surname Weygand mean?
The surname Weygand is derived from the Old German ‘Weigant’ meaning ‘strongly fortified.’ This surname was borne by a distinguished family of nobles in medieval Germany with branches in both Bavaria and Swabia.
The earliest mention of the name dates to 1166, when a Weigand von Schill was appointed to a feudal position in the region of Mainz. Descended from this noble family were two notable Weygands in French history. The first, Michel Weygand, was a French general who served under Napoleon Bonaparte during the Revolutionary Wars. He gained stature later in his career, taking command of the Allied forces during the North African campaign of 1940. Along with his counterpart, British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, Weygand held off the Nazi advance in Africa, ultimately delaying the Axis power’s plans to invade Britain.
The second noted Weygand was his son, Maxime Weygand, who served as a French diplomat in the years leading up to the Second World War. Notably, Weygand was instrumental in securing the defense pact between France and the United Kingdom in 1939.
To this day, the surname Weygand is borne by many people throughout Europe, primarily in Germany, France and Belgium. It is also found in the United States, primarily among African American families whose ancestors came over during the early days of the slave trade.
The surname Weygand carries with it a legacy of courage, loyalty and service and is an apt reminder of these two remarkable and determined Frenchmen.
Order DNA origin analysisWeygand: Where does the name Weygand come from?
The last name "Weygand" is most commonly found in Canada, Germany, and France. It is known to be a contraction of "Weygandt," which is an old German surname. Weygand is an uncommon and unique last name with roots in multiple countries and regions.
In France, Weygand is mostly found in the northern provinces of Nord and Pas de Calais. This area was populated by soldiers from Liège in Belgium who then established farms in the region. Weygand is also a prominent name in western Germany, where it became established in the Middle Ages. It is mostly found in the Grand Duchy of Baden-Württemberg, as well as in other regions of the Rhineland.
Weygand is a fairly common surname in Canada, particularly in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. It is thought that many of the Weygands in Canada are of Dutch heritage, as the Dutch language contributed to the formation of the last name.
Today, Weygand is found in towns, cities, and rural areas throughout the world, and is especially prominent in countries such as France, Germany, and Canada. The presence of the Weygand name in the present day reveals its strong historical connection to these regions and their people.
Variations of the surname Weygand
Weygand is an Old German surname derived from the words 'weg' meaning 'way' and 'and', meaning 'brave', making it a very noble name. It is thought to have originated in present-day Germany and is also spelt as Weigant, Weigand, Weigandt, Weyand, Weyland, Weiland, Weilant, Weilandt, and Weyant. This surname was very popular in the Rhineland region especially before the 15th century and then spread to other parts of Central and Eastern Europe.
One of the most famous families of the Weygand lineage is the family of French General Maxime Weygand from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was one of the most influential military figures throughout the First World War and later the Second World War. In World War II, he was responsible for leading the Allier resistance and in particular the Battle of Verdun.
The surname Weygand is presently most popular in France and Germany, although it is also present in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Poland, and Russia.
Variations of the name Weygand are also encountered in different countries like in the United States as Weygandt, in Netherlands as Wegand and Weigand, in United Kingdom as Wegand and Weiganda, in Ireland as Weigand, and in Finland as Weigant.
In some occasions, people with this surname may have abbreviated variants, like Weygant, Weighart, Weigert, Weighardt, Weichardt, Weinand, Weinardt, Waidandt, Weigant, Whygant, and Weinhardt.
Overall, Weygand is a surname of great noble origin, which has been present in different parts of the world for centuries. It carries a proud lineage and is a reminder of the heroic accomplishments of past family members.
Famous people with the name Weygand
- Maxime Weygand (1867-1965): French military chief of staff and marshal of France who served in World War I and World War II.
- Maurice Weygand (1867-1965): French diplomat, author, ambassador, and statesman, and the half-brother of Maxime Weygand.
- François Weygand (1908-1997): French author and journalist from the Weygand family.
- Paul Weygand (1868-1937): French industrialist from the Weygand family.
- Gabriel Weygand (1872-1948): French lawyer, academic, and politician from the Weygand family.
- Antoine Weygand (1864-1938): French lawyer and director of the Banque de France, as well as brother of Maxime and Maurice Weygand.
- Joachim Weygand (born 1921): French professor and specialist on the philosophy of writing.
- Laure Weygand (born 1947): French businesswoman and entrepreneur.
- François Weygand (born 1968): French entrepreneur and innovator in the digital and security sectors.
- Jean-Jacques Weygand (born 1971): French Olympic cross-country skier.