Surname Wickheiser - Meaning and Origin
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Wickheiser: What does the surname Wickheiser mean?
The last name Wickheiser is a German surname which is derived from a diminutive of the personal name Wicko or Wikko, an old Germanic given name formed from the word 'wig' which means 'war'. The Wickheiser surname is believed to have first been used by a family who were anciently known as warriors and fighters in some form of military.
Throughout history, the Wickheiser family have gained prominence in various regions of the Germanic speaking empire, particularly in what is now modern day Germany and Austria. The most famous family of Wickheisers have been found to be descendants of Caspar Wickheiser, a powerful landowner of the late 14th century whose descendants went on to become prominent in German affairs, performing high ranking roles in government and court service.
Today, the Wickheiser family name is often associated with the trait of strength, loyalty and tradition, values which are believed to have been passed down through the generations and which are still especially associated with the name in many parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Order DNA origin analysisWickheiser: Where does the name Wickheiser come from?
The last name Wickheiser is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania. This surname is of German origin and was likely brought over to the United States by German immigrants in the 1800s. The Wickheiser name appears to have originated in the Rhineland-Palantine area of Germany, where it is believed to have got its start as a surname by the 13th century.
The name is generally found in two main areas: Pennsylvania and Ohio. In Pennsylvania, the name is most often seen in Eastern counties, including Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton. In Ohio, counties like Belmont, Carroll, and Harrison contain a significant number of Wickheisers.
Outside of the United States, Wickheiser is a rather rare name. However, it has been found in records in England, Canada, Australia, and Ecuador.
In the United States, the Wickheiser surname ranks around #36,087 in terms of frequency. While this low ranking indicates it is uncommon, it is much more widely used in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Variations of the surname Wickheiser
The Wickheiser surname is derived from the German words "wiker," meaning "sever," and "häuser," meaning "houses." The Wickheiser surname may be spelled in various ways, including Wickheiser, Wickhaus, Wikaiser and Wickerhouse. Variants of the Wickheiser surname are also found in other parts of the German-speaking world, including Wichhausen and Wichhäuser in Germany; Wykaiser and Wykerhaus in the Netherlands; and Wieckerhausen in Switzerland.
The English variant of the Wickheiser surname is Wickerhouse, which was found in Lancashire by the early 17th century. In the US, a variant of the Wickheiser surname is Wickerham, which is derived from the Latinized version of The Wicker Man, a historical figure in German and Dutch folklore. Other variants of the Wickheiser surname include Wichhausen, Wykr, Wychhause, Wychuse, Wycker, Wyckerhouse, Wyckhause and Wyckhouser.
The Wickhieser surname may share a common descent with the surnames Wicker, Wick, and Wicks. These surnames are derived from the Middle English and Old English words "wicca," meaning "to bend," and "hus," meaning a "dwelling." They refer to someone who lived in a bent-roofed dwelling.
The Wickheiser surname is also related to other Germanic surnames, such as Wicher or Wichter, which is derived from the Old High German word "wihter," meaning "hunter." Additional variants of the Wickheiser surname include Wich, Wyck, Wyke and Wike.
Finally, the Wickheiser surname can also be found in the Netherlands, where the name is spelled Wykaiser or Wyckerhus. It is also found in the Netherlands under the form Wieckerhausen.
Famous people with the name Wickheiser
- Mike Wickheiser: professional soccer player and former head coach of the Baltimore Burn in the Continental Indoor Soccer League.
- Todd Wickheiser: American professional golf instructor and author of the book “The Golf Swing: Sequence and Mechanics”.
- Adam Wickheiser: American bass guitarist, known for his work with the bands Shiner, Kill Hannah, and Red Wanting Blue.
- Bill Wickheiser: creator of the popular and successful Weezerfan.net website and longtime fan of the rock band Weezer.
- Zach Wickheiser: American actor, director, musician, and theater company founder, best known for his work on the television series “Fargo” and the movie “Deadpool 2”.
- Peter Wickheiser: American educator, active in the field of higher education, and served as the 10th president of the University of Missouri: Columbia.
- Rich Wickheiser: well-known football coach and former college athletics director, who was the head coach of the University of Maryland Terrapins from 1987: 1996.
- Dave Wickheiser: Grammy-winning producer and engineer, who has worked with a wide variety of major artists, including Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, and Jennifer Lopez.
- Mark Wickheiser: world-renowned jazz composer and arranger, prolific in various musical genres, and nominated for a Grammy Award in 2006.
- Von Wickheiser: writer and playwright, whose play “Getting the Banking Done” was celebrated at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC in 2006.