Surname Wiepking - Meaning and Origin
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Wiepking: What does the surname Wiepking mean?
The last name Wiepking is a Low German patronymic surname derived from the name Wiepke, which is a diminutive form of the personal name Wiebe. Wiebe is a name of Germanic origin that is composed of the elements “wig”, meaning “war”, and “berht”, meaning “shine” or “illustrious”. This combination essentially translates to “war hero”, so individuals with the surname Wiepking could potentially be descended from a warrior or military leader.
The common variants of the last name Wiepking suggest that it is quite old and may have been used since the Middle Ages. In fact, records from the 13th century list a person by the name of Wiebe Wiepke as a resident of Leer in East Frisia. The name can also be found in various parts of the Netherlands, particularly in the Gelderland and Overijssel provinces.
The surname has been recorded in some English documents as well, primarily in locations that were once part of the Dutch Republic such as New Amsterdam (presently known as New York). It is also still used in the United States and some other countries with Dutch influence.
The last name Wiepking does not appear to have an established crest or symbol. People whose family carries this surname can take pride in knowing that they potentially have a noble heritage that dates back centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWiepking: Where does the name Wiepking come from?
The last name Wiepking is commonly found today in the United States, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. It is most prevalent in the United States, with variants of the name being found in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
In the US, the name is concentrated heavily in the Midwestern and Southeastern states, with Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio being the states with the highest numbers of Wiepkings.
In Germany, the name is found mainly in the western part of the country, specifically in North Rhine-Westphalia and the Rheinland-Pfalz region.
In the Netherlands, the name is most common in northern provinces, particularly Drenthe and Friesland. It is also prevalent in Zeeland, in the south of the country.
The surname is found in all three regions of Belgium, but is most popular in the province of East Flanders.
Given its global prevalence, Wiepking could have originated from many different places, however it is believed to have originated in Netherlands. Records of the name can reportedly be traced back to the early 1200s.
It is likely that many of the Wiepkings in the US and other countries today are descendants of those Dutch families. Though the name is widely dispersed, the Wiepkings that still remain in the Netherlands and Germany today can trace their lineage back centuries.
Variations of the surname Wiepking
The surname Wiepking has a number of different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The core of these surnames is derived from the German given name "Wipo" which was a medieval German personal name composed of the word "wîp" meaning 'battle' and "ko" meaning 'male descendant'.
The most common variant of the surname Wiepking is Wipking or Wiebing. These spellings are the German form of the surname and have become popular among German American immigrants. In the United States, the spelling Wipking is most common.
Other forms of the name include Wiepkamp, Wieben, Weiber, Wiebking, Wiebus, Wiepting, Wiebbing, and Wiebker. These spellings are most commonly found in countries such as the Netherlands, Canada, and Sweden.
For those of Scandinavian heritage, variants of the surname Wiepking include Wieprecht, Wiepman, Wiepersson, Wiepmann, Wiepström, and Wiopää.
Finally, for those of Polish descent, the most prominent variant of the surname Wiepking is Wieprz. This spelling is most commonly found among Polish Americans.
Overall, the surname Wiepking has a rich history with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Wipking and Wiebing are the two most common spellings, but all those listed in this essay have their own distinct place in history and each has their own stories to tell.
Famous people with the name Wiepking
- Jens Wiepking: An international Executive and founder of Paulmann & Wiepking GmbH, an energy project developer. His interests lie in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and water.
- Hanne Wiepking-Matthews: A German author, journalist, and film-maker. She wrote an acclaimed novel and several films on political topics.
- Lisa Wiepking: A German artist and sculptor known for her abstract sculptures. She is said to convey a spiritual connection to her artwork.
- Ed Wiepking: A Philadelphia-born artist, his works of art are on display in galleries across the United States. His sculptures depict nature's beauty and strength in metal.
- Antje Wiepking: A German historian and educator who focuses on women in history and culture. She wrote an award-winning book on the artist Kathe Kollwitz.
- Jens Wiepking-Krone: A German contemporary painter and member of the St. Florianer Frauenkunst group. His works focus on landscapes and interact with light in unique ways.
- Michael Wiepking: A German entrepreneur and founder of Wiepking Industries, a commercial vehicle safety parts maker.
- Hartmut Wiepking: A German professor of economics and finance at the University of Mannheim. He specializes in pension fund investments.
- Henning Wiepking: A German theatre director and actor. He is a co-founder and artistic director of Theater Aachen.
- Susanne Wiepking: A German politician from the Green party, she was elected as a councilwoman for the city of Brühl in May 2015.