Surname Wickard - Meaning and Origin

Wickard: What does the surname Wickard mean?

The last name Wickard is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is thought to be derived from the name “wicard,” which is an Old English word meaning someone who worked in a bay or inlet. This type of individual was the keeper of a bay or inlet, and was responsible for protecting againstand managing the local animals, fish stocks, and vegetation.

As a surname, Wickard symbolises someone who was respected within their community and known for their stewardship of local resources. During the late medieval period, the surname was associated with important landowners, indicating it was a name associated with status and power.

Today, the Wickard surname is still present in UK and whose owners are proud to have descended from such a respected lineage. The Wickard name is particularly known in regions such as Scotland and Northern England, where it is common to find individuals with the surname, indicating its longevity and strength within the regions.

The Wickard name serves as a reminder of one's past and a symbol of pride for the accomplishments of its ancestors. It is a name that demands respect and serves as a reminder of the importance of stewardship, resourcefulness, and community.

Wickard: Where does the name Wickard come from?

The last name Wickard is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest region. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that over 40 percent of all Wickard families in the US reside in Indiana and Ohio. In both states, the name is fairly prominent in rural areas and small towns, especially in the counties of Huntington and Whitley in Indiana, and Holmes and Knox in Ohio.

In 2020, Wickard was the 1276th most common name nationally, and its popularity in the US shows no signs of diminishing. With the vast majority of the Wickard population in the Midwest, the name has managed to remain prominent in this region for nearly two centuries.

There are very few Wickards living outside the US. In the UK, they are mainly concentrated in London and the surrounding area, and in Germany, there is a small, yet seemingly significant, concentration in the Berlin-Brandenburg area. Elsewhere in the world, the name is found at its rarest and most isolated pockets around the globe.

Variations of the surname Wickard

The surname Wickard has originated from the Anglo-Saxon Old English surname Wiccord. It is also thought to have derived from the Old English words 'wicce' meaning sorceress and 'weard' meaning guardian (or guard). As a result, an alternate spelling of this surname could be Wickward, while some other related variants include Wyckard, Wyckert, Wickerd, Wickerdt, Wickhard, Wickert, Wickardt.

The surname Wickard may also be found under other surnames of the same origin, such as Weekard, Weekardi, Weekhard, Weekerdt, Weekhardt, Weekert, Weekus, Wedderd, Weddert, Webert, Wedderdt, Wederman, Weakening, Weden, Wedgeman, Medhard, and Metcalfe.

Although spelling variations are vast, this name can be broken down into two different parts of Old English roots, the male root ‘wicce’ meaning witch, and ‘weard’ meaning guardian. These two components are often found together, a fact which points to the idea that these individuals may have been guardians of witches, either guarding them from harm, or guarding society from their power.

In conclusion, the surname Wickard is derived from the Anglo-Saxon Old English word 'wicce' and 'weard', with the meaning of witch-guardian. Many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin exist, such as Wickward, Wyckard, Wyckert, and Weekard.

Famous people with the name Wickard

• Claude Wickard: Claude Wickard was an American politician who served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture from 1940-1945. He was the first Hoosier, and a Hoosier farmer, to serve in a presidential cabinet.
• David Wickard: David Wickard is an American author and agronomist, known for his work to improve dryland farming practices. He has written numerous books and papers on soil science, plant nutrition, and agricultural systems.
• Lily Wickard: Lily Wickard is an American singer-songwriter and actress whose score for the film Remarkable Power was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score. Lily has released several solo albums and is known for her work with the folk-rock band, The Foolish Hearts.
• Wilson Wickard: Wilson Wickard was an American theater producer who was active in the early 20th century. He produced several plays, including The Shanghai Gesture, Pals First, and The Blues singer.
• Melissa Wickard: Melissa Wickard is an American author whose books target the young adult and young adult fantasy genres. She is best known for her Bloodline of Pain series.
• Kenneth R. Wickard: Kenneth R. Wickard is an American historian and author, who has written extensively on the history of World War II and other wars of the 20th century.

Other surnames

WickardtWickart