Surname Wiegerth - Meaning and Origin
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Wiegerth: What does the surname Wiegerth mean?
The last name Wiegerth is an occupational surname originating from Germany. It is derived from the German word Wiege, meaning “wheel” or “wheelwright” and is likely derived from a profession related to the craft of making or repairing metal and wooden wheels. The name Wiegerth indicates that an ancestor of the bearer was likely a wheelwright or someone who worked with wheels in some capacity.
During the Middle Ages, wheelwrights were a respected group of artisans and a vital part of society because they created and maintained carts and carriages that were instrumental for the transportation of goods and people throughout Europe. Without the wheel, human development would have been seriously hampered as by the 1500s, wheeled vehicles had become the main mode of transportation.
Today, the surname Wiegerth still exists in parts of Europe but is more common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Beyond indicating a profession, the surname may also connote strength and resourcefulness, as wheelwrights were highly skilled artisans, required to possess good physical coordination, strong manual dexterity, and intelligence.
Overall, the last name Wiegerth is likely derived from an ancestor in wheelwright profession and reflects the strong work ethic and skill of those involved in this vital occupation throughout Europe since the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisWiegerth: Where does the name Wiegerth come from?
The last name Wiegerth is of German origin and is quite common today in countries with a German heritage, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in the surrounding countries with significant German populations such as the Netherlands and Denmark.
In the United States, Wiegerth is found in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Michigan. It is most common in Michigan, where it ranks in the top 10,000 last names.
The surname Wiegerth is derived from the German word "wiege," which means cradle. The name was likely given to someone who made cradles or to somebody who lived in or near a cottage called "Die Wiegerth," which translates to "The Cradle." It is likely that the name dates back to the medieval period, with its first written appearance in around the 13th or 14th century.
The Wiegerth name can be found in various records and documents such as immigration lists, birth, marriage and death records. Today, it is a popular surname with more than 1,000 people carrying the last name in the United States and close to 7,000 around the globe.
Variations of the surname Wiegerth
The surname Wiegerth has a number of different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The two primary variants of this surname are Wiegerth and Wigerth.
The most common spelling of Wiegerth is Wigerth. This spelling is the most frequently recorded form of the surname, and is the spelling found in some of the earliest documents and records. Wigerth is also the term most commonly used when researching ancestry or genealogy and can also be found in current legal documents, such as naturalization records.
The secondary variant of Wiegerth is Wiegerth. This spelling appears in some 19th century German records, as well as in some records in the United States.
In addition to these two primary variants, there are a number of surnames of the same origin which are related to Wiegerth. These include Wiegert, Wieghart, Weigert, Weigerth, and Wieth. These related surnames are usually found in records throughout Europe, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In terms of pronunciation, both Wiegerth and Wigerth are pronounced the same. Both of these variants are usually pronounced as “Vee-gerth” or “Vee-gert.”
Overall, there are a number of different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wiegerth. From the primary variants of Wigerth and Wiegerth, to the related surnames such as Wiegert and Weigert, Wiegerth has a long and varied history.
Famous people with the name Wiegerth
- Klaus Wiegerth: German professional footballer
- Hans-Jürgen Wiegerth: German film actor
- Matthias Wiegerth: Austrian football coach
- Alwin Wiegerth: German Army captain and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
- Evelyn Wiegerth: French landscape painter
- Franz Wiegerth: German Olympic gymnast
- Werner Wiegerth: Austrian professional footballer
- Norbert Wiegerth: German footballer
- Nils Peter Wiegerth: Danish male handballer
- Rudolf Wiegerth: Luxembourgian swimmer
- Roy Wiegerth: Dutch fashion designer
- Wilhelm Wiegerth: German politician
- Adolf Wiegerth: Austrian composer
- Jean Wiegerth: Luxembourgish painter
- Joseph Wiegerth: Luxembourgish sculptor
- Rolf Wiegerth: German football player
- Otto Wiegerth: German footballer