Surname Wieger - Meaning and Origin
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Wieger: What does the surname Wieger mean?
The last name Wieger is of German origin. The term 'wieger' comes from the Middle High German 'wiger' meaning a protector or defender. This name is said to have derived from personal traits, such as being a courageous warrior who defended his lands.
The name appears mainly in northern Germany and is related to the names Wiegand, Wiegel and Wiegermann. It is estimated that there are approximately 5,000 people in Europe, the United States and Canada who bear the last name Wieger.
In Germany, the Wieger surname is most common in the states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, Bremen and Hamburg. It has also been recorded in the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.
In medieval Europe, many knights and barons used the Wieger surname in order to signify their importance and to remind other tribes and rulers that they were “ready to defend” them.
It is possible that the Wiegers may have been a large and powerful family or clan in the past. The Wieger name is also associated with members of the nobility in Europe.
It is further believed that the Wieger name is associated with courage, strength and justice. It is believed that those with this last name have a sense of duty and honor to protect the principles of freedom and justice. Today, the Wieger name may still be associated with these values and with people who have the courage to defend their beliefs.
Order DNA origin analysisWieger: Where does the name Wieger come from?
The surname Wieger is of German origin and is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of central Europe such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The spelling of the name can also be found in various forms such as Weiger, Weigg, Weigerlin, and Wiegers. The name is also found in smaller numbers in the United States and other parts of the world, which suggests a spread of the name through German immigration.
The meaning behind the surname Wieger is believed to come from the Old German word "wigg" meaning to adorn or decorate. Though its exact origin is unknown, it could be associated with the profession of a clothes maker since 'wigg' is believed to be associated with clothing.
Some notable people who have held the surname Wieger include:
- Robert Wieger (1893–1962), German World War I fighter ace
- Peter Weig, a 16th-century mathematician and astronomer
- Hermann Wieger, a 20th-century German Jesuit scholar
- Karl Wieger, a 19th-century German historian.
Although not as common today as it may have been in the past, the surname Wieger remains prominent in German-speaking areas of central Europe and can also be found in the United States and other countries that have had a history of German immigration.
Variations of the surname Wieger
The surname Wieger is a German surname derived from the personal name “Wigger” which combines the Germanic elements “wig” meaning “fight” and “her” meaning “army”. The name is believed to have originally referred to a warrior or soldier.
Variants and other spellings/surnames used for the same origin include Wigger, Wiggers, Wycker, Wicher, Wichger, Weicher, Weicker, Weger, Veger, Vicker, Vickers, Vicker, Wieker, Wycker, Wykker, Wigert, Wichger, Wichman, Wiechmann, Wiecker, and Weinher.
The most popular variants of the surname derive from the Low German "Wieker" which was used in northern Germany, Dutch and Frisian "Wycker" which was used in the Netherlands and northern Germany, and the High German "Wiecher" which is the most common variation used broadly across Germany.
The name is also heavily used throughout Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, and it even appears in places as far away as China, India, and Japan.
Due to the large number of Wieger derivatives found in Germany, it can be difficult to determine exactly which variant of the surname a particular person may be using. However, these variants have helped to create an easily-identifiable and long-lasting surname, which, though with its many variations, can be traced back to its Germanic roots.
Famous people with the name Wieger
- Wolf Wiegand Wieger: German molecular biologist, Professor Emeritus at the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg in Germany2.
- Charles Wieger: Dutch-French geographer and former Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
- Annette Wiéger: Dutch researcher, author, and consultant on business strategy, innovation, and competitive advantage.
- Christian Wieger: Austrian film director and television editor who filmed documentaries for ORF, the Austrian public broadcaster.
- Jonathan Wieger: American filmmaker, creative director, music supervisor, and film composer.
- Sascha Wieger: German screenwriter and film producer whose works have been screened in the International Short Film Festival in Dresden and the Brooklyn International Film Festival.
- Józef Wieger: Polish Jesuit theologian and historian of religion, responsible for compiling the massive treasury of religious folk customs known as Wigilia.
- Karel Wieger: Dutch astronomer, inventor, and early advocate for the development of dark adaptation.
- Joseph-Marie Wieger: French Jesuit missionary to China during the late Qing Dynasty, and served as a Chinese language professor at the Collège de France.
- Erwin Wieger: German actor, best known for appearing in such films as The Last Brothel and The Great Adventure.