Surname Wiepert - Meaning and Origin
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Wiepert: What does the surname Wiepert mean?
The last name Wiepert is a German surname with an occupational origin. Derived from Middle High German, the appellation roughly translates to mean “wheelwright” or “wagon maker.” It likely was used to denote someone who made or repaired wagons, which were staples of everyday life in medieval Europe.
The Wiepert surname first appeared in written documents in the year 1293, when documents from Stuttgart mention “Heinrich der Wipprecht.” The Wiepert spelling became more popular in the 16th century with the advent of the printing press, and thousands of variants have appeared since then. Variations of the name include Wiebert, Wyper, Wiepertz, Wiepur, and Wieperts.
In more modern times, the Wiepert surname spread to the New World along with German immigrants. Today there are many descendants of the original Wiepert name in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Despite its significant spread throughout the centuries and miles, the Wiepert surname still has strong ties with its German roots. There are variations of the name in many European countries, especially Germany, Norway, Austria, and Italy. It is a strong reminder of the hardworking German craftsmen who strove to make a better life for themselves and their families.
Order DNA origin analysisWiepert: Where does the name Wiepert come from?
The last name Wiepert is commonly found in Germany and the surrounding areas of Central and Eastern Europe. It is most common in the states of Bavaria, Thuringia, and Saxony, as well as in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Belarus.
The Wiepert family originated in the south-west of Germany during the Middle Ages. Early records trace the origins of the name back to the 12th century in Bavaria, where it eventually spread to other German speaking areas.
Over the centuries, the Wieperts moved eastward into areas now controlled by Poland, Belarus, and Hungary. They also immigrated to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly settling in Pennsylvania and New York.
Today, the majority of Wieperts in the US can be found in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. As of 2020, the closest population area in the United States with the top concentration of Wieperts is in The Bronx, New York.
Despite the scattered concentration of Wieperts around the world, it is still a relatively rare family name compared to other surnames across Europe and the United States.
Variations of the surname Wiepert
The surname Wiepert, or Wiepurt, can trace its roots back to the Ancient Germanic personal name Wipert, derived from the elements 'wīg', meaning 'war', and 'berht', meaning 'bright' or 'famous'. Thus, Wiepert is derived from a compound Germanic term meaning 'famous or bright in war'.
Historically, the Wiepert name has taken many forms. The enumeration of German names prior to the 19th century lists the name, spelled in various forms, including Wipurt, Wipert, Wiperdt, Wieperdt, Wieprecht, Wypertt, Wigger, Wiggert, Wiger, and Weiger.
Many variations in spelling also evolved due to German dialectical differences. It is not surprising, then, to find surnames derived from Wiepert such as Wiepertmann, Wiepke, Wiepner, Wyppert, Wiepetz, Wypperts, and Weippert.
Variant spellings also occurred in other languages, such as Veepert in Dutch, Vipper in Russia and Vepers in France.
The name has also undergone various changes in orthography due to the social, political, and religious influences prevalent in Europe between the 17th-20th centuries. Thus, Wiepert was often written as Wippert, Wypert, Weipert, or Wieberg.
Today the Wiepert name is popular not only in Europe but also in the United States, where there are still surviving Wiepert descendants with various surname spellings. The popularity of the Wiepert surname continues to expand as many of its variant forms are adopted around the world.
Famous people with the name Wiepert
- Joe Wiepert: former professional American football player.
- Greg Wiepert: former professional American ice hockey player.
- Lawrence Wiepert: former professional American baseball player.
- Eric Wiepert: former professional American basketball player.
- Kyle Wiepert: current professional American golfer.
- Paul Wiepert: former American Nobel Prize nominated scientist in World War II.
- Chris Wiepert: former American sprinter and hurdler who represented the US in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Don Wiepert: former American professional middle-distance runner.
- Will Wiepert: former American politician and former mayor of Southfield, Michigan.
- Maria Wiepert: current professional American mixed martial arts fighter.