Surname Wiehmann - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wiehmann: What does the surname Wiehmann mean?
The last name Wiehmann is a German surname. It is composed of two elements, ‘Wie’ and ‘hmann’. The prefix ‘Wie’ is derived from the Middle High German ‘wî’ meaning ‘man’, while ‘hmann’ is a contracted form of the word ‘heerman’, meaning ‘militia man’ or ‘soldier’. Therefore, the literal meaning of Wiehmann is ‘man of the militia’ or ‘soldier’. This reflects the military background of the family, suggesting that they may have been soldiers or have come from a long line of warriors.
The surname is most commonly found in northern Germany; it is particularly prevalent in the east of the country. It is believed to be a relatively ancient name, being recorded in official documents as far back as the 13th century. In more modern times, the most famous bearer of the name is the German footballer Maximilian Wiehmann, who currently plays for RB Leipzig.
The surname Wiehmann conveys a proud military heritage, with many bearers of the name recording their roots as being firmly in the military. Although many bearers of the name will no longer have a direct connection to the military, the proud history behind the surname will surely remain.
Order DNA origin analysisWiehmann: Where does the name Wiehmann come from?
The surname Wiehmann is most commonly found in Germany. According to the German telephone directory Das Telefonbuch, there are over 4,000 entries in the directory for Wiehmann. It is likely the surname originated in Germany, and it is still quite common in the country today.
Wiehmann is also found in other areas of Europe, though in fewer numbers. In 2021, there are 22 entries for individuals with the name "Wiehmann" in the Polish telephone directory (The Pan Pages). In The Netherlands, there are 33 people with the last name Wiehmann in the Dutch telephone directory Gouden Gids.
Outside of Europe, the last name Wiehmann can still be found. The United States Census Bureau reported, in 2020, that there were 6,350 individuals with the surname "Wiehmann". The majority of these individuals (4,570) were found living in the United States, though smaller numbers were found in Canada (381), Australia (461), and small numbers scattered throughout other parts of the world.
In conclusion, the last name Wiehmann is most common in Germany, though there are still individuals with the surname living throughout Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Wiehmann
The surname Wiehmann is a German occupational name meaning "armorer". Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin includeVariants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Wyman, Weyhmueller, Weimar, Weyman, Weihmiller, Weimann, Weimerskirch, Weihmann, Wehrmann, Wehrmeister, Veyhmueller, Veymann, Veymiller, Veermann, Tyson, and Sickmocker.
The spelling of the surname likely changed over the years, as literacy was not a given among the members of some older families. Many names have slight variation in spelling, depending on where the person lived and which version of a language they used. Spelling, transcription and pronunciation of surnames can also vary due to regional, dialectal and generational differences.
The earliest written use of the Wiehmann surname was recorded in 1453 in the city of Berlin. Since then, the name has spread to many other parts of Germany, with variant spellings appearing after families immigrated to towns and other countries.
The Veyhmueller spelling variant of the name first appeared in 1647 in the city of Stolberg in the Rhineland area. Similarly, the Weihmiller spelling variant first appeared in 1718 in Bavaria.
The Weyman spelling of the surname can be traced back as far as 1709, when it was found in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern region of Germany. In the same region, the Wehman spelling variant was found in 1722.
The Tyson spelling is believed to be a patronymic variation of the Wiehman surname. The spelling dates back to 1717 in the region of Saxony. The Sickmocker spelling variant is believed to be a consolidation of two local terms, Sick meaning bag, and Mocker meaning maker, essentially meaning sack-maker, a job closely related to that of an armorer. This spelling was first found in 1748 in the region of Württemberg.
Famous people with the name Wiehmann
- Julius Wiehmann (early 20th century German musicologist and organist)
- Sebastian Wiehmann (German film director)
- Jonas Wiehmann (German dancer/choreographer)
- Ulrike Wiehmann (German professor of chemistry)
- August Wiehmann (American composer and conductor)
- Jean Wiehmann (French actor)
- Arnold Wiehmann (German politician and lawyer)
- Paul Wiehmann (German surgeon and professor)
- Karl Wiehmann (German philologist and professor)
- Hans Wiehmann (German theater director and actor)
- Helmut Wiehmann (German professor of economics)
- Catherine Wiehmann (American journalist and editor)
- Artur-Karl Wiehmann (German military doctor)
- Alice Wiehmann (American illustrator and artist)
- John Wiehmann (former American football player)
- Jürgen Wiehmann (German former international footballer)
- Klementine Wiehmann (former Austrian actress)
- Inge Wiehmann (German mental health advocate and writer)