Surname Wiechern - Meaning and Origin
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Wiechern: What does the surname Wiechern mean?
The meaning of the surname Wiechern is quite unclear, making it difficult to identify the origins of the surname. However, it is believed to have originated in the German regions of Bavaria, Hesse, and Westphalia.
In its original form, the surname might have been derived from the German word ‘wichern’, which means ‘to be vigilant’ or ‘to watch over’. In some parts of Germany, it is thought that Wiechern could also be a variant of the name Wichert, which is a diminutive form of the name Wizbert. Another possible derivation of the surname is a combination of the prefix ‘Wi’, which means ‘wide’, and the suffix ‘gern’, meaning ‘grasp’.
The Wiechern surname is most commonly found in the regions of Germany where it originated, as well as in some other countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It is thought that some members of the Wiechern family are also present in other parts of the world, as the surname has been spread by emigration.
Overall, the meaning of the Wiechern surname is uncertain, though some believe it may have derived from a combination of German words meaning ‘wide grasp’ or ‘vigilant’. Whatever the origin of the surname, it has spread far and wide, making the Wiechern family name a global one.
Order DNA origin analysisWiechern: Where does the name Wiechern come from?
The surname Wiechern is derived from a West Germanic personal name wicon, composed of two elements; wig, meaning battle, and hari, meaning army, from which the English surname Wicker is also derived. The surname Wiechern is most commonly found today in Germany, where it is believed to have originated. According to the World Names Profiler, Wiechern is the 58,023rd most common surname in Germany today, and is found concentrated mostly in the former East Germany in the state of Saxony. According to genealogical records, there were 124 Wiecherns living in Saxony in 2009.
The surname Wiechern is also quite common in South Africa, where it is believed to have first been introduced by German settlers in the late seventeenth century. According to the World Names Profiler, Wiechern is the 1,533rd most common surname in South Africa today, and is particularly common in the Eastern Cape province. It is also found in the United States, where it is estimated that there are approximately 400 people with the name Wiechern, most of whom live in Wisconsin and Illinois.
The last name Wiechern is also found throughout parts of Europe, such as England, France, and the Netherlands, where it is believed to have been introduced by German settlers. However, it is not as common in these countries as it is in Germany, South Africa, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Wiechern
The surname Wiechern is an uncommon one, but there are different spellings and variants of it. One variant of this surname is Wychern, which can be found in records from the eighteenth century. A spelling from around this time is Wiesschern.
Wiechert is another form of the same surname—likely due to misreading or transcriptions errors—and can be found in Silesia and Pomerania. Another variation which can be found in records dating back to the fifteenth century is Weichert.
The patronymic derivatives of this surname also show some variation. The surnames Wiechering, Wiechers and Wiechersing have all been recorded throughout Germany. In some areas of central Europe, the surname Weichers can also be found.
Other existing variants of the surname Wiechern include Wiechermann, Wiecherhn, Wechert, Wechermann, Weich, Weichens, Weicher and Weicherlen. All of these variations can trace their lineage back to the same origin and have all emerged as variations of the original surname.
Famous people with the name Wiechern
- Torsten Wiechers: German economist and energy expert
- Peter Wiechers: German inventor and technology pioneer
- Ben Wiechern: British entrepreneur and internet pioneer
- Heijo Wiechern: Dutch optical engineer and physicist
- Jos Wiechern: Dutch businessman and banker
- Johann Wiechern: German Christian missionary and author
- Georg Wiechern: German historian and explorer
- Bernhard Wiechern: German World War II fighter pilot
- Helmut Wiechern: German military commander
- Jörg Wiechern: German sports manager and administrator
- Sarah Wiechern: American actress and TV personality