Surname Wheber - Meaning and Origin
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Wheber: What does the surname Wheber mean?
The last name Wheber is of German origin and means "warrior." It is a derivation of the German compound personal name Wehbergh, which derives from two words: "Weh," meaning woe, lamentation or suffering, and "bergh," meaning mountain. The name was likely given to someone from a family of warriors, or to someone who was particularly successful in battle, as many German names were given as a mark of distinction.
The Whebers were mainly a peasant family living in Northern Germany prior to the 16th century, and the name was first found during this time period. During the medieval period, they owned many farms and small estates. As the family's wealth grew, many of the Whebers were able to enter the military or government as employers in both the Protestant and Catholic realms. Many of the family members became knights and nobles, gaining titles of nobility.
Today, the Wheber surname is still found throughout Europe and the United States, as the early German immigrants established themselves and their families in both countries. Those with the Wheber surname are often proud of its unique meaning, as it is a reminder of the family's strength and courage in facing adversity. It is thought to carry symbolism related to a strong warrior spirit and courage under fire. It is a reference to someone who could overcome any obstacle in life or work.
Order DNA origin analysisWheber: Where does the name Wheber come from?
The last name Wheber is not a very common last name today. It is of German origin and is most commonly found in Germany and other parts of Europe. In the United States, Wheber is not a very popular last name. According to the US Census Bureau, as of 2020, there were only 142 people in the US with the last name Wheber.
Being a German last name, Wheber is most likely to be found in Germany and surrounding countries. German phone books have nearly 400 listings for the last name Wheber with the vast majority living in Germany. Austria and Switzerland also have several dozen Whebers living in each country.
The prevalence of Wheber in the United States is far lower. The largest concentrations of this name are in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In addition to the 142 people with the same last name, there are also a few dozen people with Wheber as a middle name.
Wheber is not a particularly common surname today, but the presence of several hundred people with this name in Europe, and a few dozen people in the United States, suggests that it is still in use. The Wheber name is likely to continue to stay within the same small population of people, but it is possible that its prevalence could increase as members of this family move to different parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Wheber
The surname Wheber is derived from the Old English personal name Wigberht, composed of the elements wig, meaning ‘war’ and berht, meaning ‘bright’ or ‘renowned’.
The name Wheber is rare, and its common variants include Webber, Weber, and Wiebe.
Weber is a German-language variant of the surname Wheber, and other related spellings include Wever, Weyber, and Weiber. The Dutch variant of Weber is Wever, which is prevalent in the Netherlands and in other countries where ancient Dutch families have migrated.
The German-language variants of Wheber, such as Weber and Wever, may also be spelled Veber, Vever, Veyber, and Veiber. These spellings are used primarily in German-speaking countries such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
The Jewish variants of the surname Wheber may include Weisman, Weiszmann, Weisz, Weismann, Weis, Weishaupt, and Weishut. These surnames are derived from the Yiddish nickname Veiz, meaning ‘wise’. It is believed that these surnames originated among Ashkenazi Jews in Central and Eastern Europe.
Finally, there are various anglicized versions of the surname Wheber, such as Wheaton, Wheeldon, Wheelan, Wheldon, Wheeler, Wheelwright, Webworth, Webbe, Webb, and Webba. These spellings were likely adopted by Wheber families who migrated to the United States in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Famous people with the name Wheber
- Theodor Wilhelm Engelbert Wheber: An Austrian entomologist who studied the relationships of butterflies in the Alpine valleys.
- Wim Wheber: A Dutch film and television producer/director.
- Lily Wheber: An American child actor who starred in the short film “Couriers”.
- Mathilde Wheber: A Danish painter of landscapes and floral works who lived in the late 1880’s and early 1890’s.
- Johann Itermann Wheber: A German theologian and historian who published a book on the Lutheran Church in 1725.
- Pieter Gerritszoon Wheber: A Dutch landscape painter in the 17th century.
- Philipp Heinrich Wilhelm Wheber: A German Expressionist painter who focused primarily on landscapes.
- Sophie Wheber: An American artist known for her quilts and textile works.
- William Wheber: A Canadian actor in the early 20th century.
- Lola Wheber: An Australian screenwriter and producer who won two AFI Awards.