Surname Widdemeier - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Widdemeier: What does the surname Widdemeier mean?
The last name Widdemeier is a German name derived from the Middle High German given name Widemar. The earliest recorded appearance of this name in ancient records comes from Thüringen, Germany in the year 1240. It is likely that the bearers of this name were of a noble family given its long history as a surname.
The literal meaning of this family name is “wide sea” or “wide ocean”, referring to those who live by the sea. This reflects the last name’s likely origin as a location name. The suffix -meier is a diminutive, meaning “little”, which can indicate the family's origins and close ties to a certain location.
Over the centuries, Widdemeier has become a well-known surname in Germany. It is especially common in the southwest part of the country, around areas such as Stuttgart and Karlsruhe.
The family name Widdemeier is a tribute to German heritage and a representation of its proud and storied past. With its literal meaning reflecting the majestic oceans of the world, this iconic surname has firmly stood the test of time throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWiddemeier: Where does the name Widdemeier come from?
The surname Widdemeier is commonly found in Germany today, as this surname is an occupational name originating from northern Germany. It is derived from the German words 'witt' which means wise, and 'meier' which means one of the highest administrative officers. The name first emerged in various different forms during the medieval period, and can often be found in documents stretching back as far as the 12th century.
Most notably, Widdemeier is an area in the city of Dortmund, Germany, which gives a hint as to the popularity of this surname in the region. Widdemeier is also found in the various German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony, especially in the cities of Dortmunder, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart, and Hanover.
This surname is usually found among the German-speaking countries of Europe, though individuals with this name can also be found in other parts of the world due to migration in past centuries. For example, some Widdemeiers are found in countries such as the United States of America, Brazil, France, Australia, and Canada, although they are fewer in number compared to their German counterparts.
In sum, the last name Widdemeier is most commonly found in Germany today, due to its origins within the region. However, due to the vast migration that has occurred over the centuries, this last name can also be found in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Widdemeier
Widdemeier is a surname of German origin. Variants of the surname include Widdermeier, Widdermeyer, Wettemeier, Wettemeyer, Wettermier, and Wettermayer. All of these variants can be traced to the original spelling of Widdemeier.
The earliest traceable record of the surname is from 1530, with a Heinrich Widdermeyer listed on the census in Krefeld, Germany. Over the years, different dialects and changes in spelling customs have resulted in the variants of the surname that are used today.
Variants of the surname have spread to other countries as well. For example, Widdemeiers migrated to the United States in the 19th century and it is now a very common surname in that country. In the United States, some people with the surname may also spell it Widdemeyer or Wettemeyer.
Variants of the surname are also seen in the Netherlands, where it is spelt Wettemeyer in some cases. Similarly, variants are found in Canada, where it is sometimes spelt Widdemayer or Wettermayer. Examples of other countries where variants of the surname can be found include Australia, Scotland, and Italy.
Overall, the variants of the surname Widdemeier may be used in different countries and have slightly different spellings, but they all trace back to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Widdemeier
- Kirk Widdemeer: Professional mountain bike driver for 20 Inch Freestyle.
- Pete Widdemeer: Professional bodybuilder and personal trainer.
- Tracy Widdemeer: Olympic discus thrower and seven time world champion.
- Jenny Widdemeer: Grammy nominated singer/songwriter.
- Terry Widdemeer: Professional golfer and five-time major tournament winner.
- Charlotte Widdemeer: Red Cross volunteer and former humanitarian award winner.
- Janice Widdemeer: Author and fitness enthusiast.
- Nick Widdemeer: Actor and two-time Emmy award winning actor.
- Brent Widdemeer: Three-time NBA all-star and six-time all-star MVP.
- Geary Widdemeer: Professional racing driver and eight-time IndyCar champion.