Surname Wiegert - Meaning and Origin
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Wiegert: What does the surname Wiegert mean?
The last name Wiegert is of Germanic-Saxon origin. It is a variation of the root word 'Wi(e)g' which means 'battle', and likely first appeared as a name given to someone as a nickname or as a sign of admiration or respect.
Wiegert can be found as a surname in areas of Germany such as Saxony, Hamburg, Hesse, and Brandenburg. It was likely adopted as a surname when hereditary surnames became common in those areas during the early middle ages.
In the US, the Wiegert name is most associated with states in the Midwest, such as Wisconsin and Minnesota. Immigration records suggest that many people bearing this name emigrated from Germany in the mid-1800s, likely seeking a better life away from difficult socio-economic circumstances at home.
For those people already sharing the Wiegert surname, the name is one of esteem and reputation within their local and extended family. This is because historically surnames were important markers of lineage and passing on the family name was part of what defined them in society.
Today, anecdotes from those with the Wiegert surname indicate that their family name is a source of pride and serves as a reminder to honor their lineage and those who came before them.
The Wiegert name is a reminder to appreciate the courage, resilience, and resourcefulness of those ancestors who left Germany during the 1800s and faced countless challenges and hardships as they built a new life in America.
Order DNA origin analysisWiegert: Where does the name Wiegert come from?
The last name Wiegert is most commonly found in Germany today. According to bestnamen.de, nearly 5,400 people currently bear the surname in Germany. Most of these people are found in the northern region of the country, particularly in Schleswig-Holstein. This is likely because the name has ties to that region - 'Wiegert' is derived from a Frisian word meaning 'guard'.
The name is not exclusive to Germany. Ancestry.com reports Wiegert as surname originating in Prussia, and Vlastimil Vancura, in his book 'Genealogy in Bohemia and Moravia', wrote that there are several dozen Wiegert families throughout the Czech Republic.
In the United States, the name is also found, especially in states with a significant German immigrant population, such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska and Texas. It is possible the name was brought to the US by German settlers, as many emigrated in the mid-1800s.
Across the world, the Wiegert name is not as common as it is in Germany but does still appear in many countries. It is a surname that, despite its origins, has been widely adopted over generations of migration and expansion.
Variations of the surname Wiegert
The surname Wiegert is one of many German surnames with a rich history. It can be traced back to the pre-medieval times when it was most likely a nickname for someone who was a weaver. It can come in many forms due to dialect and sound shifts as the surname moved around Europe and beyond. Some of the variants of Wiegert include Wieger, Wiegers, Weigers, Weigand, Weyand, Wiegand, Weigert, Wegert, Weger, Wezert, Weigartz, Weiszert, Wegzert, and Weygers.
Surnames of similar origins include Weiller, Wyler and Veyer, to name a few. These surnames originate from the Old High German word “wil”, meaning “to desire”. Other related surnames include Wigand, Winkler, Wilpert, Wilker, and Wilke which all derive from William.
The surname Wiegert remains popular today, the most recent census records from 2010 found it to be the 1878th most common surname in America, with 3,491 holders of the name. It is more common in the midwestern states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan, but is still found in other states and countries in smaller numbers.
Overall, Wiegert is a very old and recognized surname that has evolved over centuries to take on many different forms and versions. It has been spread around the world, with many people still proudly holding on to the name. Its rich history makes it an interesting surname for those interested in family histories.
Famous people with the name Wiegert
- Bruce Wiegert: an astronaut who served in the US Air Force and subsequently as a NASA mission specialist.
- Matt Wiegert: a professional football player who played for six teams in the National Football League (NFL).
- Bill Wiegert: a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for three teams from 1984–1991.
- Justin Wiegert: a basketball player who plays for the Erie BayHawks of the National Basketball Association G League.
- Alexander Wiegert: a former professional tennis player who competed in the 1984 Olympics.
- Carson Wiegert: a singer-songwriter, actor, and former member of the boyband Varsity Fanclub.
- Max Wiegert: a former German footballer who played in top-flight clubs in Germany and Austria.
- Maria Wiegert: a classical pianist and teacher, best known for her recordings of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart.
- Bruce Wiegert Jr: an American aircraft designer, pilot, and specialist in ultra-light aircraft.
- Carsten Wiegert: a German film director and screenwriter who has achieved success both in the commercial film industry and television.