Surname Widerkehr - Meaning and Origin
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Widerkehr: What does the surname Widerkehr mean?
The last name Widerkehr is of German origin and is an occupational surname taken from the German word "widerkehren," which means "to return." This suggests that a person with this surname, likely during the Middle Ages, was someone who went far away to work—likely a soldier—but then returned home.
During the Medieval period, Germanic tribal peoples—people of the area now known as Germany—migrated for many reasons, such as warfare, work, and religious persecution. This migration and that of their families—and the subsequent returning of these people—could be why the Widerkehr surname came about.
Today, individuals with the Widerkehr name likely come from the German-speaking parts of Europe, such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The Widerkehr surname is believed to be the most common in Germany, where records suggest it can be found in most major German cities.
The Widerkehr name is also found in the United States and is of Germanic origin, though it is now much more common in the Midwest and throughout the Rust Belt, likely having been brought over to America by German immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Overall, the Widerkehr surname is closely associated with German ancestry and likely had its origins in the Middle Ages as a result of migrations and returning home. Today, individuals with the Widerkehr name can be found in most major German cities and in the United States, with it being more common in the Midwest.
Order DNA origin analysisWiderkehr: Where does the name Widerkehr come from?
The last name Widerkehr is most commonly found today in parts of Germany, primarily in its southwestern region, including the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Rhineland-Palatinate. While the name is present in other countries, its presence is much less common.
The name is most frequent in these three states, where it is among the top 500 most common last names. It is particularly concentrated in the regions of the Hochrhein and the Neckar, where it ranks higher. It is also present in smaller numbers in Austria.
The word "Widerkehr" comes from the Middle High German word "widerkherren" which literally means "returning". It is believed that the name is derived from someone who was a "wanderer". Perhaps an ancestor traveled from one area to another for commercial or spiritual reasons that required returning.
The name Widerkehr is among the oldest recorded German last names. Records from the 1400s in southwestern Germany record a number of related surnames such as Widderkreuth, Widderkheifer, Widderkheuer, and Widderkher. These similar sounding surnames combined to form the Widerkehr name that is recognized today.
Overall, the last name Widerkehr is most often found in Germany, specifically its south western states. It is believed to originate as a surname referring to someone who was a wanderer and historically has been recorded since the 1400s.
Variations of the surname Widerkehr
The surname Widerkehr is a German name, derived from the words ‘Wider’ meaning “over”, and ‘kehr’ meaning “return”, as a whole the surname means “a return”. Variants for Widerkehr include Weiderkehr, Weidhaker, Weidecker, Widerkirch, Wiederkirch, Widecker, Wiederkehr, Wiedacker, Wiedekirch, and Wiedeker.
Spellings of Widerkehr vary depending on the language used to interpret the original German word. For example, Wiederkehr is a common spelling in German, and Weiderkehr and Weidhaker can also be found in Dutch speaking regions such as the Netherlands and Flanders. In English, Widerkehr is the most common spelling of this surname.
Surnames of the same origin as Widerkehr include Wiedercke, Wiederka, Widerknecht, and Wiederkehrt. These surnames signify familial ties to Widerkehr and are likely to have been adopted by individuals with Widerkehr ancestors.
Variations in spelling and surnames of the same origin as Widerkehr are common due to the linguistic differences between regions. Over time, Widerkehr and its variants have spread throughout Europe, taking on different spellings and interpretations, depending on the language spoken by the region in which it is used.
Famous people with the name Widerkehr
- Michael Widerkehr: German racewalker
- Jonathan Widerkehr: American musician
- Arthur Widerkehr: Swiss field hockey player
- Pavel Widerkehr: Czech computer programmer
- Bernard Widerkehr: Swedish hydrographer
- Urs Widerkehr: Swiss freestyle skier
- Andre Widerkehr: French entomologist
- Albert Widerkehr: Austrian fencer
- Günther Widerkehr: German equestrian, horse trainer
- Axel Widerkehr: German chemist
- Bill Widerkehr: American football coach
- Hermann Widerkehr: German architect
- Frans Widerkehr: Dutch physicist
- Oswald Widerkehr: Swiss painter
- Michael Widerkehr: German physicist
- Sven Widerkehr: German journalist
- Paul Widerkehr: Austrian photographer
- Alexander Widerkehr: Dutch-born American entrepreneur
- Matthias Widerkehr: German sculptor
- Christopher Widerkehr: American cinematographer and film director
- Johann Widerkehr: German classical organist
- Christian Widerkehr: Swiss pharmacist
- Rudolph Widerkehr: Swiss botanist
- Emma Widerkehr: American poet and social activist
- Rupert Widerkehr: Austrian chemist