Surname Wiede - Meaning and Origin
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Wiede: What does the surname Wiede mean?
The last name Wiede is a German surname, derived from a Middle High German term meaning 'woods'. This is likely a reference to a profession as a woodcutter or forester, as the occupation was often passed on through surnames. This is further backed up by the fact that the name is most heavily concentrated in Germany's 3 states along the Bavarian-Czech border, where these types of occupations were common.
The first known record of the name dates back to at least the 14th century in Germany, when it appeared in records of a man named Rudolf von Wied. Around this time, the name spread across the German empire and into other parts of Europe, with notable variations such as Wiede in Norway and Wid in England.
Throughout history, individuals with the Wiede surname have played an important role in German culture. For example, in the 16th century, Hans Wiede was the Imperial Councillor and Chamberlain to the Emperor, and in the 19th century, some members of the Wiede family became leaders of the German nationalist movement.
The name is still a common one in Germany today, and can be found in areas of Europe, North America and Australia.
Order DNA origin analysisWiede: Where does the name Wiede come from?
The last name Wiede is most commonly found in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, Wiede is considered to be an old, regional name that is mainly found in the western and southern regions. Estimates suggest that the Wiede surname is held by around 500 people in Germany, making it a rare name.
In Austria, the Wiede name is found most prominently in the states of Carinthia, Lower Austria, and Burgenland, with the name being of Slovenian origin. In Carinthia, the majority of Wiede families hail from the village of Sardaben, where the name has been present since the 18th century. In Luxembourg, the Wiede surname was recorded in 1731 but is now rare, with just a few families maintaining the name.
In the United States, Wiede is primarily found in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, with the majority of the Wiede family hailing from the latter state. The name arrived in the United States thanks to German immigration in the 19th century and quickly spread throughout the Midwest.
Overall, the Wiede surname is chiefly exclusive to German-speaking regions, although it can also be found in the United States thanks to German immigration. While it is nowadays a rare surname, it has a long and interesting history in its respective countries.
Variations of the surname Wiede
The surname Wiede (also known as Weide) is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle German word "wiede" meaning "meadow" or "field" and was probably an occupational surname, used to describe a farmer. This surname was first found in the area of Franconia, which was a region in the north of present-day Bavaria in Germany.
The variants of this surname are Wied, Wiede, Wiedes, Weide and Weidner. These spellings are thought to have derived from various regional or familial influences over the years.
The German surname Weidenfeller is also derived from a similar root word and is thought to have been adopted by the descendants of Wiede. However, its meaning is different and the surname Weidenfeller means "barrier in the meadow".
The surname Wiede and its variants can be found mainly in the areas of Franconia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the United States. The longest written record of this surname comes from records in Germany, and dates back to 1300s.
Other surnames that have a similar origin to Wiede are Wieder, Wiedeman, Weidner, Weidman, Weidenbach, Weidenfeller, and Weidner.
The surname Wiede has been widely adopted by its various spellings around the world and can be found in different places around the globe.
Famous people with the name Wiede
- Vasiliy Wiede: Russian discus thrower and 2011 Military World Games champion.
- Joanna Wiede Fox: American freestyle swimmer who has represented the United States in four Olympic Games.
- Remmert Wiede: Dutch football manager and former player.
- Gustav Wiede: 19th century German theologian, mainly remembered today as the father of Richard Wiede.
- Alvin Wiede: American professional basketball player who played for various teams from 1950-1963.
- Sonja Wiede: German luger who competed from the early 1980s to 1993.
- Marc Wiede: tennis player from Germany who competes mainly in ATP Challenger Tour events.
- Jakob Wiede: Austrian bobsledder who competed in the 1930s.
- Bernd Wiede: German scientific diver, biodiversity expert, conservationist and documentary filmmaker.
- Richard Wiede: German theologian who studied in Jena, Erlangen, Berlin and Göttingen.