Surname Wiegend - Meaning and Origin
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Wiegend: What does the surname Wiegend mean?
The last name Wiegend is of German origin and has various spellings including Wiegand, Weigend and Weigand. This surname is derived from the German word “wiege”, meaning “cradle”. It is believed to have originated as a nickname for someone who was small and vulnerable, due to its association with childlike innocence.
Wiegand is a common surname found in many parts of Germany, and is most prevalent in areas of the country with historically strong Lutheran populations. It is believed to have first been adopted by people who lived near cradles, perhaps serving as carpentry workers or farmers who tended to baby animals.
The surname Wiegend is associated with several notable figures throughout history, such as Helmut Weigend, a German World War II officer; Theodore Wiegand, an American inventor; and Robert Weigend, a German athlete and Olympian.
The Wiegend coat of arms features two crescents, a lion, and an eagle. These symbols are thought to represent the beloved cradle of the Wiegend family, as well as strength and resilience.
Overall, the last name Wiegend is a proud and noble one, associated with traditional values and hard work. Its link to a cradle is thought to symbolize a peaceful, serene, and gentle existence.
Order DNA origin analysisWiegend: Where does the name Wiegend come from?
The last name Wiegend is German in origin and one of the earliest recorded known uses of the name is from 1543 in Prussia. It is a toponymic surname, meaning it was derived from a geographical location, perhaps a field or piece of land from a nearby town, that a family owned or lived on. Today, Wiegend is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. There are also Wiegends scattered throughout the United States, Canada, South America, and other countries throughout the world. Those bearing the last name are likely descendants of the original Wiegend family who migrated from Prussia in search of new opportunities. In the United States, Wiegend is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, with the highest concentration in Lehigh County. The Wiegend surname also has over 450 occurrences in the US, making it fairly widespread across the nation.
Overall, Wiegend is most commonly found in Germany and surrounding countries, though its distribution abroad is growing as members of the family continue to move in search of better opportunities.
Variations of the surname Wiegend
The surname Wiegend has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Depending on the language or dialect spoken, the name can be spelled in a variety of ways. For example, in German, it is spelled ‘Wiegend’ or ‘Wiegand’. In Polish, it is spelled ‘Wygand’ or ‘Wigand’. In the Netherlands or Dutch, it can be spelled ‘Weygand’ or ‘Weygandt’. In Norwegian, it can be spelled ‘Weygant’ or ‘Weygante’. In Swedish, it can be spelled ‘Weygård’ or ‘Weygard’.
The surname Wiegend has also been used as a surname in other countries. In Scotland, the surname ‘Weigand’ can be found, and in Hungary it is ‘Végend’. In France, the surname ‘Wigand’ or ‘Weyguard’ can also be found.
The surname Wiegend was originally derived from the given name Wigand, which was a very popular given name in medieval Germany. The name is derived from the Germanic elements ‘wîg’ meaning battle, and ‘ant’ meaning courage or strength. So, the name Wiegend basically translates to courageous in battle or strong in war.
Through the centuries, the surname has also undergone other minor changes. In some dialects, it has been changed to Wiegandt. In Austria, it is usually spelled ‘Weygand’ or ‘Weygend’. In Spain, it is sometimes spelled Wymphandt or Wympandt.
In conclusion, the surname Wiegend has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Depending on the language or dialect spoken, the name may be spelled differently. Due to the popularity of the given name Wigand in medieval Germany, the name Wiegend has been used in many countries.
Famous people with the name Wiegend
- Adolf Wiegand: German paleontologist
- Albert Wiegend: Early 20th century Austrian zoologist
- Chris Wiegand: New York Times current theatre critic
- Donald Wiegand: Co-founder of US animation company Hanna-Barbera
- Peter Wiegand: German water and bio-engineer
- Richard Wiegand: German floatplane designer
- Robert Wiegand: American painter
- Robert Wiegand: German lawyer and politician
- Sal Wiegand: First American female police officer
- Susan Wiegand: Retired IBM executive
- Walter Wiegand: Scientist and author of books about film theory