Surname Wiegers - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wiegers: What does the surname Wiegers mean?
The last name Wiegers is a patronymic topographic surname from the Germanic and Dutch languages, originating from a region known as Viersen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This surname is derived from the Low German word ‘wiker’, which means a bend or turn in a watercourse.
The first bearers of the name Wiegers were likely those who lived near the curve or bend of a watercourse. Historically, the name has been associated with rivers and streams, and the earliest Wiegers likely built their homes near a bend in one of these rivers.
The name Wiegers first appears in middle Dutch documents of the 13th century, and it is recorded that the Wiegers family was present in Viersen from at least 1353. As this region was then part of the duchy of Jülich, there is also evidence of the family living in that region as early as the 15th century.
Wiegers was originally a patronymic surname; in Dutch, it means ‘son of Wiger’ but can be also written as Wicher or Wiggers. In both German and Dutch cultures patronymic surnames are particularly common, and Wiegers is included in this category.
The Wiegers family has over the centuries spread to countries all over the world, including Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, as well as many European countries. Today, many descendants of the original Wiegers family line continue to live in the areas of their Germanic and Dutch ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisWiegers: Where does the name Wiegers come from?
The last name Wiegers is predominantly found in the countries of the Netherlands and Belgium, where it has been in use since at least the 17th century. It is believed to have originated in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands, which is also where the majority of people with this surname can still be found today.
In recent decades it has become more common to find people with this surname living in other parts of the Netherlands, including North and South Holland, Utrecht, Zeeland, and Friesland. Similarly, the name has spread to other parts of the world, particularly the United States and Canada.
Wiegers is an occupational surname derived from the German word weger, meaning "weigher" or "inspector." This indicates that the oldest Wiegers ancestors likely worked as inspectors or officers of the courts, possibly inspecting confiscated goods or administering tests and inspections of other kinds.
The surname has also spread to other countries, mostly those with significant Dutch or Belgian immigration. Of these, the United States and Canada have the most residents with the Wiegers surname. In the United States, the states with highest concentrations of people with this last name are California, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In Canada, the most common places for the surname are Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Variations of the surname Wiegers
The surname Wiegers is a patronymic surname derived from the German given name Wiegand, which is derived from a Germanic tribal name and simply means “warrior”. The spellings and variants of the surname Wiegers can include Wieger, Weger, Weigand, Wiig, Wiigand, Weigan, Weig, Weyger, Wigand, Vigant, Vigand, and Vivant.
The surname can also be encountered in its Dutch spelling, Weijgers, and in its German spelling, Weigers. In some cases individuals with this surname have adopted additional surnames based on their geographic location, such as Wiegert from the German state of Bavaria and Wiegrath from the German town of Düsseldorf.
The associated surnames depend on an individual’s country and language of origin. In Denmark, the surname is often seen as Vig, Vigant, Vigersgaard, and Viggesgaard. In Finland, the name is usually seen as Viggainien. Some Finnish variations include Vigainen, Viikarinen, and Wiggaunen. In Sweden, the name is often seen as Ugglas, Wickander, Wikander, and Vigander.
In Scotland, the surname is seen as Wickham, Wickingham, and Vickingham. In the United States, the surname is often seen as Wagaman, Wegman, and Weeckman. In England, the surname is often seen as Viggers, Vickers, and Wickers.
The derivatives and variations of the surname Wiegers are numerous. This is largely due to its origins in a multitude of languages, as well as geographical and surname changes that have occurred throughout history.
Famous people with the name Wiegers
- Tom Wiegers is a professional baseball player for the Seattle Mariners.
- Mark Wiegers is a professional musician and singer-songwriter.
- George Wiegers was an American baseball outfielder in the 1920s.
- Kristin Wiegers is a sculptor, printmaker, and installation artist.
- Dave Wiegers is an American football punter who has played for the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.
- Ben Wiegers is a professional soccer player currently playing for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
- Chris Wiegers is an American businessman and entrepreneur.
- Sarah Wiegers is a police officer and advocate for law enforcement.
- Theobald Wiegers was a German Catholic theologian and bishop.
- Michael Wiegers is a poet whose work has appeared in various literary publications.