Surname Widerspohn - Meaning and Origin

Widerspohn: What does the surname Widerspohn mean?

The last name Widerspohn is of German origin and it is derived from the German terms ‘wider’ meaning ‘against’ and ‘spohne’ meaning ‘to oppose’. This surname was most likely ascribed to people who were brave and stood their ground against social and political pressure. It is thought to have originated in the regions of Germany during the Middle Ages. It was also used as a nickname for someone who was stubborn and unyielding, or to refer to those who were well-known for their political views.

At the time of the 19th century, when families began to take on fixed surnames, many individuals adopted Widerspohn, the name they believed best reflected their character and social standing. Throughout Germany, there are numerous variations of the name, such as Widerspoen, Widersphon, Widerspaun, and, more commonly, Widersporn. The spelling of the name remained often unchanged until the 19th century.

The current generations of Widerspohn family are widely spread throughout the regions of Germany, Austria, and other countries that have roots traceable to Germany. Some have even migrated to the United States of America, Canada, and other places. Those who have the surname may take delight in belonging to a family with a great history and a unique name.

Widerspohn: Where does the name Widerspohn come from?

The last name Widerspohn is common in Germany today. Frederick and Ferdinand Widerspohn are the earliest known ancestors of the Widerspohn family in Germany, who lived in Bavaria during the 18th century. It is believed the family has been in Germany for several centuries, likely since the Middle Ages.

The name is particularly common in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, with a concentration of Widerspohns in the larger cities of Cologne and Hannover. Many of the family's present-day members have branches that have spread to other parts of Germany and beyond.

Today, the Widerspohn family is believed to be one of the most widespread in Germany, with various branches found in other countries, such as the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. The family is known to have several branches outside Germany, although the original name is still considered to be Widerspohn.

In the United States, records indicate that the name appears most often in states such as Illinois, New York, Ohio, and Nevada, with the majority of documented Widerspohns appearing to have emigrated from Germany in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Those who stayed in Germany have continued to make their mark, and there are several notable family members in Germany today, including a business owner, two musicians, and a film director.

Variations of the surname Widerspohn

The surname Widerspohn is of German Origin and has many variants. It can be spelled Widderpohn, Widderpoon, Widderspohn, Widerpoon, Widerspoon, and Odderspohn. Most likely, all of the different spellings are descended from the same progenitor.

The Widder spelling likely came from “wieder” meaning “again” while the “spohn” was likely derived from the word “spalten”, which refers to “splitting”. This probably referred to a farmers’ practice of breaking down a large cricket field into smaller ones.

The variations of the surname Widerspohn also include variations such as Wiederschoon, Widerwehn, Widderland, Odderspoin, Wiederspan, Widdersohn, Wiederpan, and Widerpetch. These variations are all believed to be derived from the same “Widerspohn” origin, and many of them could be found in records of families in Germany.

Some of the surnames of related origins that share similar spelling and pronunciation include Widder, Wieder, Wiedeman, Wiedman, Widemon, and Wiederm, among others.

In some cases, Widerspohn may be used as a given name rather than a surname. For instance, the name Wiederspohn could be spelled Wied at birth, as when a baptism record is created. This is seen with some other variations of both surnames and given names throughout history.

Overall, the surname Widerspohn has many variations in spelling, pronunciation, and related surnames, as well as sometimes serving as a given name. All of these spellings and related surnames could be traced back to the same German origin.

Famous people with the name Widerspohn

• Fola Widerspohn, German novelist and literary critic
• Abraham Widerspohn, German interior designer
• Wolfram Widerspohn, German footballer
• Julian Widerspohn, German entrepreneur
• Ludwig Widerspohn, Prussian noble
• Gregor Widerspohn, German artist and sculptor
• Maren Widerspohn, German artist
• Rolf-Dieter Widerspohn, German theologian
• Silvio Widerspohn, German singer and actor
• Ferdinand Widerspohn, Austrian physicist

Other surnames

WiderspanWiderspann