Surname Wics - Meaning and Origin
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Wics: What does the surname Wics mean?
The last name Wics is believed to be of German origin. It is unclear exactly what it means, however, it may relate to the German word 'wic', which means 'fortification'. The surname likely referred to someone who lived near or had some connection to a fortification in Germany.
It is also possible that Wics derived from the German word 'wiz', meaning 'round'. This could refer to someone who lived near a place with a circular shape, such as a village or a hilltop.
The first known Wics family in recorded history lived in Bavaria, Germany in the 1700s. There may have been Wicss before this date, however, no records have been found yet. It is likely that the family was once part of a larger clan, as was common for middle ages German families. Due to events such as religious persecution, war, famine and plague, many families broke away from their clans and established their own last names.
The Wics surname today is found primarily in Germany, though there are some individuals who bear it in other countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia. As the German language has evolved over time, the pronunciation of the name may have changed slightly.
In conclusion, the last name Wics is of German origin and is believed to mean either 'fortification' or 'round'. It is likely that the surname originated from a large clan, though records have yet to be found.
Order DNA origin analysisWics: Where does the name Wics come from?
The surname Wics is found in several countries across the world. The origin of this name is pre-Christian and comes from an old Germanic root word meaning “nobility.” The majority of individuals with this surname are found in Germany, particularly Bavaria and the surrounding region. The second most common country of origin for this last name is the Netherlands, with many Dutch people using the Wics surname.
The Wics surname is rather uncommon in most other countries, however there are still some individuals who possess the last name in the United States, Canada, and the UK. It is also seen in parts of South America, mainly Argentina, Chile, and Peru. In general, this last name is far more common in Germanic countries, such as Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Despite its ancient origin, the Wics surname has a relatively small population size. The latest data from the German National Archive in 2020 estimated that there were less than 3,000 people worldwide with the Wics surname, and that two-thirds of them were located in Germany. This low population size largely explains why the Wics surname is today not particularly widespread.
Variations of the surname Wics
The surname Wics is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Wykes, which also appears in Old Norse documents as Vík, a shortened form of the personal name Víkarr or Vigarr. In some cases, it can also be derived from the Old English word wic, which means trading camp or trading place.
The spelling variants of Wics include Wix, Wyches, Wykes, Wikes and Wicke; while the surnames derived from this root include Wick, Wicks, Wyck, Vix, Vykes and Vik.
In some cases the surname Wics may also be derived from the Danish and Swedish name Vik, which was adopted by early English settlers as the preferred spelling, resulting in the English surname Wick. This spelling variant is commonly found in England and the United States. The surnames derived from this root include Vik, Vyke, Wyck, Wicke, Wyke, Wick, Wicks, Vix and Wix.
The surnames derived from this root can also be found in various European countries, such as Germany, Netherlands, Austria, and Scandinavia, and also in the United States. A Scottish Gaelic version of the surname, MacIoc (MacWick), is closely related to the surname Wics.
Other variations of the surname Wics include Weck, Wik, Weckx, wicksers and Wiks, found mostly in Dutch-speaking countries such as Netherlands and Belgium. The surname Wix is also common in the United States, derived from a colonial German adaptation of the spelling.
Famous people with the name Wics
- Garrett Wiseman: former Major League Baseball outfielder
- Jill Wischensky: Activist and speaker
- Dave Wichmann: CEO of UnitedHealth Group
- Mark Wischkaemper: Retired professional basketball player
- Larry Wics: Former MLB pitcher 6.Paul Wics: American professional golfer
- Brady Wics: American professional basketball player
- Victoria Wics: American novelist and playwright
- Riley Wics: Professional boxer
- Saxby Wics: American actor