Surname Widmar - Meaning and Origin
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Widmar: What does the surname Widmar mean?
The last name Widmar is derived from the German language. The name Widmar is thought to have been derived from the German word "Widmer", the early form of the modern name Widmer. Widmer itself is derived from the German combination of the terms “Wid” and “Mar”. The word “Wid” is a shortened form of the German term “Widmann” which means “Man from the Woods”, while “Mar” is in reference to “Bereiter” which roughly translates to a "Barn officer". This suggests that the Widmar surname may have originally belonged to someone who was responsible for maintaining barns.
In addition to its German roots, the Widmar surname also appears in other European countries and North America, often spelled slightly differently depending on the language spoken. For example, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and England-speaking countries are typically more likely to spell the name Widmer or Widemar, while French and Spanish speaking regions often use the spelling Widmar.
Generally, Widmar family ancestry can be traced back to German-speaking areas centuries ago, although it is possible to see Widmar families in other parts of the world today. The Widmar surname offers a glimpse into a rich history periled to German, and many Widmar descendants today may carry the tradition of being attuned to managing barns and other equestrian properties.
Order DNA origin analysisWidmar: Where does the name Widmar come from?
The last name Widmar is quite distinct and there is not much information about its origins available. However, it appears to be mostly connected to Germany and parts of the United States.
According to FamilySearch.org, Widmar is an uncommon surname in Germany with fewer than possible 100 bearers (as of 2014). Most records connected to the Widmar surname in Germany appear to originate between the 15th and 20th centuries. At present, the surname is used by a small number of people in the southern states of Germany.
In the United States, Widmar is a much more common surname. According to the United States Census Bureau, it was the 8,221st-most common surname in the United States during the 1990 Census. The most common regions where the Widmar surname can be found are in the Midwest, particularly Illinois, Kansas, and Indiana. In these states the name is still in use, but noticeably less common than other states.
Today, the last name Widmar is not particularly popular in any region and is characterized by a low frequency of usage. Although present in areas throughout Germany and the United States, its presence is barely noticeable due to its uncommon nature.
Variations of the surname Widmar
The surname Widmar has several variants and spellings with the same origin. These variants and spellings include Widmer, Widmeyer, Viedmer, Viedmeyer, Witmer, and Witmeyer. These variations all originated from a single source, likely an ancestor who had the surname Widmar.
The Widmar surname is believed to have originally been of German origin, derived from the German word “wieder” which means “again”. It is speculated that the name was given to someone who was willing to repeat something, possibly a particular skill. This surname, however, may also have been derived from a place-name, such as the village of Widens in Hesse, Germany.
Widmar also has a few other spellings and variants that don’t appear to be connected to the original Widmar surname. These variants include Wiedmair, Wiedemair, Widmair, and Widemair. It is believed that these variants were originally derived from a combination of Widmar and “mair” meaning “more,” so the name perhaps referenced someone who “had more” of the Widmar name.
Interestingly, the Widmar surname is also found in records from the Isle of Man and is believed to have originally been of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the old English word “wudubearu” which means “wooded area”. This is possibly an indication that the bearer of the name once lived or had land near a wooded area.
Overall, the Widmar surname has a wide variety of variants and spellings all of which are believed to have derived from the same origin. The variants and spellings include Widmer, Widmeyer, Viedmer, Viedmeyer, Witmer, Witmeyer, Wiedmair, Wiedemair, Widmair, and Widemair. Additionally, the surname has connections to both German and Anglo-Saxon origins.
Famous people with the name Widmar
- Meg Widmar: athlete and former Christian radio hostess
- Greg Widmar: American former professional ice hockey player
- Torrie Widmar: Olympic swimmer
- Jay D. Widmar: Author of "Desk Encyclopedia of Telecommunications"
- David Widmar: author of "Economics and Management of Sustainable Biomass Production"
- Jodie Widmar: Australian Classical Pop and Soul singer-songwriter
- Albert Widmar: German architect who designed a number of significant buildings in Baden-Württemberg
- Brooks Widmar: 3 time NCAA Division 1 All-American in wrestling
- Thom Widmar: Philadelphia artist and graphic designer
- Daniel W. Widmar: US Army veteran who received the PurpleHeart
- Paul Widmar: American activsits and co-founder of "Veterans for Peace", an international non-profit dedicated to ending wars and re-establishing a sustainable peace
- Katherine Widmar: Captain in the United States Navy
- William Widmar: Senior executive in the US Navy Supply Corps
- Alexander Charles Widmar: Former Minister for National Economy and Transport in Germany
- Kevin Widmar: Considered to be one of the most accomplished restaurant executives within the United States