Surname Wiehland - Meaning and Origin
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Wiehland: What does the surname Wiehland mean?
The last name Wiehland is of German origin. It is a habitational name derived from any of various places called Wiehltal, Wiehl or Wehl in the Rhineland area of western Germany. These names are derived from the Middle High German Wîhel, meaning "willow valley".
The surname Wiehland first appeared in Prussia, where the family gained a significant reputation for its contributions to the emerging mediaeval society. Over the course of the Middle Ages, the family branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in local social and political affairs.
The earliest records of the family mention Hanno Wiehl of Arnstadt, who settled in Prussia and received lands near Ober-Wiehl in 1404. After the 15th century, the name spread to many other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
Today, the last name Wiehland is found in many countries throughout the world. It is most common in northern Germany, where the family name was most likely established. Variations of the spelling of the name Wiehland include Wiehl, Wehl, Wiehltal, Wiehlt, Wehlt, Wial, Wiel, Whal, Whil, Wieland, and Wyland.
Order DNA origin analysisWiehland: Where does the name Wiehland come from?
The surname Wiehland is a common Germanic surname found mainly in the United States, Canada, and Germany. It is often associated with the German Midlands where it has been recorded since the 12th century.
In the United States, its prevalence today is largely a result from post World War II emigration. German immigrants brought Wiehland to the US decades ago and today it can be found in many states, most notably California, Arizona, New York, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina.
In Canada, similar migration patterns are observed, with many families settling in Ontario and British Columbia. A distinct Canadian version of the name, Wyland, is also found in Canada, particularly in Nova Scotia and the Maritime provinces.
In Germany, Wiehland can still be found in the German Midlands, especially around Frankfurt and Thuringia. The surname is also well represented in the states Berlin, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Overall, the Wiehland surname remains most commonly found in the United States and Canada. However, since it has deep historical roots in Germany, it can also be found in Germany today.
Variations of the surname Wiehland
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wiehland are Wihland, Wiheland, Weihland, Wihlant, Wiehler, Wiehlmann, Wiehlmeister, Wiehlerhausen, Wihle, Wiehle, Wiehlbauer, Wiehlmeier, Wiehlen, Wiehlendorf, Wiehlmüller, Wiehlander, Wiehling, Wiehlbacher, and Wiehlammer.
The earliest known record of the surname is in 1597 in what is nowadays the area of Germany known as Baden-Württemberg; and over time the name originates from the Old German, usually translated to English as ‘farmer’.
In terms of the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Wiehland, there are some slight alterations in spelling which include: Wihland, Wiheland, Weihland, Wihlant, Wiehler, Wiehlmann, Wiehlmeister and Wiehlerhausen. All of these minor variants still originate from the same source.
Furthermore, Wihle, Wiehle, Wiehlbauer, Wiehlmeier, Wiehlen, Wiehlendorf, Wiehlmüller, Wiehlander, Wiehling, Wiehlbacher and Wiehlammer are also recorded as variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Wiehland. The subtle spellings reflect the different historical dialects and variations of the name over time.
Overall, the surname Wiehland has quite a few different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, which have evolved from the same Old German ancestry. The spelling variations are very minor but can help to trace the family history.
Famous people with the name Wiehland
- George Wiehland: Germanborn American physician
- Patricia Wiehland: Argentine film, television and theater actress
- Harman Peter Wiehland: German doctor and professor of physics
- Eric Wiehland: Writer and mountaineer
- Henrietta Wiehland: Graphite Artist
- Marcel Wiehland: German-American businessman and entrepreneur
- Bernhard Wiehland: German composer
- Bernd Wiehland: German track and field coach
- Frank Wiehland: German figure skater
- Gerd Wiehland: German soldier and businessman