Surname Wiegerich - Meaning and Origin

Wiegerich: What does the surname Wiegerich mean?

The last name Wiegerich is thought to be an occupational surname, referring to an older German craft or trade occupation. It is likely derived from the German words "wiege", meaning "scale", and "richter" meaning "judge". This suggests that someone with this surname may have been a merchant, measuring out goods for paying customers in a fair manner. The Wiegerich surname can also be found in Swiss communities and is likely to have had the same occupationally related origin.

In Germany, the Wiegerich family name is most common in the state of Bavaria and may have been present there in the Middle Ages. The Wiegerichs were likely involved in the wool trade, with parts of Bavaria being rich in sheep, wool, and cloth production in the 16th century. This would have likely been their primary source of income at the time.

Wiegerichs were also likely a part of the early agricultural colonization of the east of Germany during the Middle Ages. This would have added to the family's occupational range, with the Wiegerichs likely engaging in various trades and occupations, including farming and other farming-related activities.

Today, the Wiegerich surname is endemic in the German-speaking world and is still used in many other countries. With its origins in a craft or trade occupation, the last name Wiegerich is symbolic of a much earlier time in German history when many occupations reflected the country's burgeoning economy.

Wiegerich: Where does the name Wiegerich come from?

The last name Wiegerich is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands. It is one of the oldest surnames of German origin, believed to have first been used in the early Middle Ages.

The name is derived from the German term 'wiege' meaning 'cradle'. It was used to denote someone of a low status, such as a farmer or peasant, or to simply refer to someone from a small town or village. Traditionally it was applied to someone of humble origins from the northern German regions, although a person with this last name could also have had a more aristocratic background.

Many families with the last name Wiegerich still live in Germany today, particularly in Bavaria, where the population is on average relatively affluent. In the Netherlands, the surname is slightly rarer but still exists, especially in the areas of Limburg and North Brabant, close to the border with Germany. Outside these regions, the last name is not as common.

In the United States, the name is far less common. However, it can still be encountered in some areas with large German-American populations, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin. People with the surname may also have emigrated from Germany and the Netherlands to other countries in more recent decades.

Variations of the surname Wiegerich

The surname Wiegerich can be spelled in various ways, including Wiegerich, Wegerich, Wigerich, Wiegrich, Weigrich, Wigrich, Woojrich, and a few others.

The name is an occupational name, derived from the German root words Wiege and Rich, meaning "a Maker of Sleds". The name was traditionally found in southern Germany, especially in the Black Forest area.

Variants of the name exist in many countries. In France, it is spelled Wegerier, while in the Netherlands, it is spelled Weegers. In Denmark, it is spelled Wiederg, and in Norway, it is spelled Wiederich.

In Germanic languages, the name is typically derived from the Middle High German word “wiege”, meaning “sledge”. Similarly, the Welsh variant of the name is spelled Weirgcheid.

Those who bear the name Wiegerich can also be found in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and other southeastern European countries. In some of these countries, the name is found as Wygric, Vygrich, Vygerich, Wegrich, Vigerich, or similar variations.

There are a few surnames derived from the same root as Wiegerich. These include Wiegand, Wieger, Wiegmann, Weigand, Weigmann, and Wigand. Each of these surnames has different spellings and related variants.

In short, the surname Wiegerich can be spelled in dozens of different ways, but all forms of the name are ultimately derived from the same root words.

Famous people with the name Wiegerich

• Iris Wiegerich: Iris Wiegerich is a German actress and model. She has featured in various films and television shows, including the popular German TV series Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten.
• Herbert Wiegerich: Herbert Wiegerich was a German-American photographer who spent most of his career in New York City. He was an innovator in aerial and architectural photography and took photographs of some of the most iconic skyscrapers in the city.
• Ralf Wiegerich: Ralf Wiegerich is an energy efficiency expert and entrepreneur from Germany. He is the co-founder of ecosave, a sustainability consulting firm.
• Olivier Wiegerich: Olivier Wiegerich is a modern classical music composer from France. He is a Professor Emeritus at the Conservatoire de Paris and has composed numerous works for soloists, orchestra, and chamber ensembles.
• Stephan Wiegerich: Stephan Wiegerich is a German medical doctor and radiologist specialized in diagnostics. He is a Professor at the University of Freiburg and has performed research in several areas, including novel techniques for imaging of the knee and shoulder joint.
• Dorothea Wiegerich: Dorothea Wiegerich is a German lawyer specialised in commercial and antitrust law. She currently works for the law firm Gleiss Lutz and was previously employed at Counsels Law Office and the German Federal Cartel Office.

Other surnames

Wiegering