Surname Weyhrich - Meaning and Origin
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Weyhrich: What does the surname Weyhrich mean?
The last name Weyhrich is an occupational surname that originated in Germany, specifically in villages located in the area of Silesia and West Prussia in modern-day Poland. It translates to “weavers’ rule” or “weavers’ control” from German. This reflects its source of origin, from the tradespeople that used to work as weavers in those villages during the Middle Ages and beyond.
Weyhrich is a fairly common surname with many variations, including Wehrich, Weyhrich, Weierich, Weierick, Weiherich, and Wierick. The variations are thought to be a reflection of the dialectal diversity of the villages where it originated. The surnames of those early weavers traveled with them as they migrated to other parts of Europe in the mid-19th century.
Presently, people with the last name Weyhrich are found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg, as well as in the United States and Canada.
In contemporary times, Weyhrich has become a surname signifying not only the occupation of early weavers, but also the family heritage of the many people who now bear the name. It is an identification of belonging and speaks to the interconnectivity of the global village and the fact that all of us are rooted in a shared past.
The last name Weyhrich has – and continues to – play an important role in connecting people living hundreds of miles and years apart.
Order DNA origin analysisWeyhrich: Where does the name Weyhrich come from?
The last name Weyhrich is a German-origin surname, and today it is most commonly found in Germany, the United States, and Switzerland. In the US, it is most common in the Midwestern states, with the highest concentration in Texas and Illinois. The name is also quite common in the Midwest of Canada as well as in Europe with the highest concentration in Germany, followed by Switzerland and Austria.
In the US, the Weyhrich name first appeared in records in the mid to late 1700s, with many of the earliest immigrants originating from Germany. At that time, the Weyhrich family was among the early German-speaking settlers in the colonial region of Pennsylvania. By the late 1800s, individuals with this surname had spread across the United States, with many of them settling in the Midwest.
Today, the Weyhrich name is most popular in Germany, but it is also quite common in the United States. This is likely due to the presence of the original Weyhrich family, as well as subsequent generations of the family having vacationed in Germany over the years. As the surname is German-origin, it remains largely confined to German-speaking regions of the world.
Variations of the surname Weyhrich
The surname Weyhrich is a German-origin surname derived from the Middle High German male personal name 'Weihrich', meaning 'nobleman'. Over its centuries of history, this surname can be found in many alternate spellings, variants, or even surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants of this name include WUHRICH, WEYRICH, UHRICH, WEIRICH, UHERRICH, UHRIST, WURRICH, WEYRIG and WEIRICH. The surnames WHERRY and WIRTH can also be traced back to Weyhrich, as they were once consider either the same or a variation of this name.
English spellings of the surname Weyhrich include WAYRICK, WEYRICK, WEHRICK, WHERRY, and WIRTH. The Dutch regarded this name as WERICK, WEIJRICK, WEYRIC, or WEIJRIC. Scottish renditions of the surname were simply WHERRY or WIRTH. In Poland, it was known as UHRICH.
Weyhrich was a popular name in the eastern parts of Europe at least as early as the 18th century, and many immigrants from that region eventually brought it to the limited United States. Consequently, the U.S. has been the primary location of the name Weyhrich for the last several centuries.
The surname also has extensive roots in Europe. Many people with the surname still live in Switzerland, Austria, and the German-speaking parts of France, where it is still mainly pronounced WAY-rick. The same applies to the Netherlands. In Sweden and Finland, the surname usually appears under the variant name VEHRING.
Famous people with the name Weyhrich
- Dr. Markus Weyhrich, Emmy-nominated web series creator
- John Weyhrich, former defensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the University of Arkansas.
- Dr. David Weyhrich, co-founder of the Weyhrich Medical Institute.
- Melissa Weyhrich, author of the Gravity Well science fiction series.
- Deb Weyhrich, acclaimed painter and sculptor.
- Janice Weyhrich, Grammy-winning songwriter and producer.
- Dr. Phillip Weyhrich, distinguished quantum physicist.
- Stephanie Weyhrich, Broadway actor and singer.
- Porter Weyhrich, professional surfer and Olympic silver medalist.
- Carol Weyhrich, innovator in bleeding-edge robotics technology.