Surname Widenmayer - Meaning and Origin

Widenmayer: What does the surname Widenmayer mean?

The last name Widenmayer is of German origin, believed to have been derived from a place or town name. The root of the word is "Widen," possibly derived from the Middle High German root "wido," meaning "wide." The suffix "-mayer" is typically a variation of the German word "meier," and was originlly used as an occupational name for a mayor or magistrate of a small village or community. Put together, the last name Widenmayer suggests that an ancestor of this family had once held a prominent position in a village, likely being the mayor.

Throughout history, the Widenmayer surname held many different variants, such as Widenmoy, Wiedenmayer, Widemayer, and Widemacher, among others. Despite the various spellings, the exact location of this name's origin is not known, but it is thought to have been located either in Bavaria, Austria, or the Alps region.

The surname Widenmayer continues to live on throughout the world today, carried by those who can trace their family's roots back to the Widenmayer ancestors. Despite the uncertainties of its exact origin, it is known that the Widenmayer family has been around since medieval times, making it a fascinating piece of history for those with the last name.

Widenmayer: Where does the name Widenmayer come from?

The last name Widemayer is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest Region. It is an English surname derived from the Germanic given name “Wido” which means “wide”. It is derived from “mayer”, which is an occupational surname for a town official, usually a mayor or magistrate. The surname likely originated in Germany in the 14th or 15th century when the Germanic name Wido was in use.

The majority of Widemayer families in the United States are located in Ohio, followed by Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The Widemayer name is most heavily concentrated in two zip codes in Stark County, Ohio, with additional pockets in Lake County, Ohio, and the Seattle-Tacoma metro area in Washington state. Nationally, the Widemayer name is uncommon, with roughly 800 living Widemayers in the US according to 2020 census data.

Today, the Widemayer surname is becoming increasingly uncommon, as many families are opting to change their name or adopt more modern versions such as Widmeyer or Widenmeyer. This is especially true in Ohio, where the Widemayer name was once more common. As a result, the surname may become increasingly rare in the U.S. in coming years.

Variations of the surname Widenmayer

The surname Widemayer is thought to have evolved from the German name Widemeyer. It can be found in several variations, including Widemeyer, Widemayer, Wiedemeyer, Wiedmayer, Widenmeyer, Widenmayer, Widmayer, Wiedmeyer, Widemeyers, Wiedemeyers, Wiedmayers, and Widmyer.

The origin of the name is uncertain, but it may have occurred from an occupational name, derived from the German word "widemeyer", meaning a large vessel or pitcher. The name could have been given to a professional brewer or a maker of large vessels.

Widemayer or Widenmayer may also be derived from the German verb “wideman,” meaning “to widen.” This probably referred to someone who had a broad vision and could "widen" a person's outlook.

The name may also have evolved from the German surname Widemann, which means "wide man" and refers to someone broad or a large-framed man. The surname Widemann was eventually transformed into Widemeyer, which then changed to Widemayer or Widenmayer.

No matter the origin of the surname, it is a well-known name, especially among German and German-American families. The name Widemayer or Widenmayer is also common in other countries, such as the United Kingdom and France.

Famous people with the name Widenmayer

• Christian Widemayer: German criminal defense lawyer.
• Jürgen Widemayer: Austrian figure skater and coach.
• Marc Widemayer: German handball player.
• Dieter Widemayer: German former footballer.
• Jason Widemayer: Australian cricketer.
• Nico Widemayer: German slalom canoer.
• Wilhelm Widemayer: German gymnast.
• Christina Widemayer: German diver.
• Edgar Widemayer: German modern pentathlete.
• Steve Widemayer: American politician who served in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Other surnames

WidenmaierWidenmann