Surname Wiedeman - Meaning and Origin
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Wiedeman: What does the surname Wiedeman mean?
The surname Wiedeman is an occupational surname of German origin. It is derived from a Middle High German word meaning “from the meadow,” indicating that the original bearer of the surname most likely worked in meadow management, such as mowing or controlling weeds. The surname first appeared in records in the 13th century, when documents recorded a man named Herimanus de Videmann living in Prussia in 1237.
Over the centuries, the Wiedeman surname has spread across the German-speaking world. It is most common in the Germany today, as well as in the United States. In the United States, the Wiedemans that emigrated from Germany tended to settle mainly in areas with large numbers of other German immigrants, such as Pennsylvania and the Midwest.
The Wiedemans, like most German families, have a long history of strong patriotism and military service. During World War II, Wiedemans from Germany and the United States both served in the Allied forces. One notable Wiedeman from Germany was General Walter Wiedeman, who served as a Corps Commander in the German Army during the war.
The Wiedemans today are proud of their heritage and continue to honor their ancestors’ dedication to service and patriotism. They are members of a distinguished lineage that carries a legacy of hard work and loyalty.
Order DNA origin analysisWiedeman: Where does the name Wiedeman come from?
The last name Wiedeman is most common in Germany, the United States, Canada, The Netherlands, and Austria. In Germany, Wiedeman is most common in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is the 257th most common last name. Across the US, the name is most common in Ohio and Pennsylvania. In Ohio, it ranks as the 933rd most common last name, and in Pennsylvania, it is the 614th most common name. In Canada, the name is most common in the provinces of Ontario, where it is 139th most common, and Alberta, with it being the 654th most common last name. In The Netherlands, the last name Wiedeman is the 849th most common, and in Austria, Wiedeman ranks as the 832nd most popular last name. It appears to be most common in North America and Western Europe, so it is likely that the name has been passed down mainly through these regions.
Variations of the surname Wiedeman
The surname Wiedeman is a German and Dutch surname, likely derived from the Middle High German verb wiedemann, meaning ‘man of will’. It is also occasionally seen as a Jewish surname in the United States, though this can be from a variety of different European ancestries.
Variants of this surname include Wiedemann, Wiedmann, Wideman, and Widmann. All of these surnames have a similar origin; they either directly come from the German verb, or from a version of the name associated with a particular region, or a given name associated with the family.
The spelling of the surname can vary, though the most common spellings are Wiedeman, Wiedemann, Wideman, and Widmann. In the United States, the spelling Wideman is the most common.
The variant surnames of Wiedeman include Viedeman, Viedemann, Freedman, Friedmann, Waideman, and Weidman, as well as others. All of these surnames have similar origins, either derived from a given name associated with the family, or from a variant of the German verb wiedemann.
Famous people with the name Wiedeman
- Deanna Wiedeman: an American business executive and former investment banker who has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Lincoln Financial Group since 2017.
- Andy Wiedeman: a former American soccer player who played as a midfielder for various professional teams in the United States.
- Tony Wiedeman: a former Major League Baseball center fielder who played for the Chicago Cubs from 1948-1951.
- John Wiedeman: the current radio play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks National Hockey League team.
- Sarah Wiedeman: a singer and songwriter from Canada who has released multiple successful albums and has been featured on various television and radio shows.
- Van Wiedeman: an American actor and writer, best known for his work on the ABC television drama series, Everwood.
- Gretchen Wiedeman: an American artist based in New York City, known for her colorful abstract paintings and installation artwork.
- Jacob Wiedeman: an award-winning American journalist based in Washington, DC.
- Kaitlyn Wiedeman: a professional dancer and choreographer from the United States, known for her energetic and avant-garde style.
- Steven Wiedeman: a Canadian actor, singer and songwriter and member of the Canadian pop band Walk Off the Earth.