Surname Wiederspann - Meaning and Origin
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Wiederspann: What does the surname Wiederspann mean?
The German surname Wiederspann translates directly to "tension" or "opposite sides," and has an interesting origin story. According to one source, the name was first recorded in the 12th century, when it was associated with a powerful Celtic clan known as the Wiederspannwho controlled a large region of Germany.
The name itself was likely derived from the German words "wieder" meaning "to again" and "spannen" meaning "to span or stretch," together implying "opposing sides or tension," a reference to the tense relationship between this powerful clan and other political factions in the area. Furthermore, the clan name was often associated with a coat of arms, usually consisting of a divided shield, suggesting a symbol of conflict and opposition.
Today, the surname Wiederspann is widespread in Germany and is also found in the United States and other regions where German people have settled. Its ancient meaning and symbolism are still evident, and often invoke images of strife and confrontation. Despite its tumultuous history, the surname Wiederspann is still used proudly by its many descendants, some of whom carry on its tradition in its true form, while others have adopted it as a personal statement of strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisWiederspann: Where does the name Wiederspann come from?
The last name Wiederspann is an Old German surname, which is derived from the words "Wider" and "Spanne", meaning "to span". This is indicative of the original profession of many carriers of this surname, which was fence building. It is likely that the descendants of these original fence-builders adopted the occupation as a surname to denote their vocation, much like last names such as Miller, Baker, and Smith. Today, the surname Wiederspann can still be found in Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria, Thuringia, and Saxony.
Outside of Germany, the surname appears around the world in various countries such as Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, Nepal, and the U.S. Within the United States, the surname Wiederspann can be found primarily in southern states such as Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The highest concentration of this surname in the US can be found in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is home to 13 Wiederspann households.
The name Wiederspann is highly uncommon and few people carry it. In fact, a search of white pages in 2019 reveals that there are only 146 individuals in the United States today that have this surname.
Variations of the surname Wiederspann
The surname Wiederspann is of German origin, and can be spelt Wiederspahn, Wiederspahnn, Widerspan, Widerspahn, Widerspahnn, Witherspoon, Widerspan, Wiederspan, Wiederspann, Widerspan, Widerspoon, Wiederspass and Wiederspas.
Wiederspann literally translates as ‘one who attacks from behind’ or ‘one who defends from behind’. It is a particularly rare surname, and so there are not too many alternate spellings or variants.
However, the surname appears to have changed over time, as evidenced by variants including Widerspahn and Widerspan. The main suggestion for the reason for this name change is that, originally, these two variants meant ‘one who turns away’, although some have suggested that it simply morphed over time.
The surname Wiederspann is also found in America, where it is sometimes spelt Witherspoon. Witherspoon is thought to be an Americanization of the German name, as is the more common variant Widerspoon.
In conclusion, the surname Wiederspann is of German origin, and can include spellings and variants such as Wiederspahn, Widerspan, Widerspahn, Widerspahnn, Witherspoon, Widerspan, Wiederspan, Wiederspann, Widerspan, Widerspoon, Wiederspass and Wiederspas.
Famous people with the name Wiederspann
- Christophe Wiederspann: French aviator and aviation publicist.
- Heather Wiederspann: American actress and director.
- Krista Wiederspann: American musician and pastor.
- Tyler Wiederspann: Swiss competitive swimmer.
- Christoff Wiederspann: German fashion designer.
- Johanna Wiederspann: Austrian architect and sculptor.
- Kevin Wiederspann: American soccer player.
- Kurt Wiederspann: Austrian actor and filmmaker.
- Matthew Wiederspann: English author and travel writer.
- Norbert Wiederspann: German ski jumper.
- Robert Wiederspann: American orthopedic surgeon.
- Ruth Wiederspann: German lawyer and human rights activist.
- Ursula Wiederspann: Austrian artist and author.
- Uta Wiederspann: German Olympic gold medal cyclist and track and field athlete.
- Allen Wiederspann: American country musician and songwriter.