Surname Wiericks - Meaning and Origin

Wiericks: What does the surname Wiericks mean?

The last name Wiericks is of German origin, and the original spelling was Wierichs. It is derived from the personal name Wieric or Wiric, which is a combination of the Germanic elements “wiri,” meaning ‘true’ or ‘faithful,’ and “ric,” meaning ‘ruler’ or ‘power.’ Therefore, the last name Wiericks denotes a person who is true or faithful to the power of rulers.

Most variant forms of the name Wiericks, such as Wierix and Wericks, are similar enough to allow for easy transition between them. The origins of these variants is most likely regional dialect and language. For instance, the Dutch variant Wierix may have originated from the country’s language of the same name that is spoken in the Netherlands, while the English variant Wericks may have derived from its original spelling as the Germenic Wierichs, or vice versa.

In addition to being a German last name, Wiericks is also found among Dutch, Austrian, and Swiss families. It is a relatively uncommon name, ranking 8,964th in the 1990 US Census. However, it is not unheard of and is shared by many people both living and dead.

Wiericks: Where does the name Wiericks come from?

The last name Wiericks is of Dutch origin and the spelling is sometimes found as Wierenga or Wieringa.

It is most common in the Netherlands, particularly in the provinces of Friesland and Groningen in the northern part of the country. There is also a concentration of the name in South Africa, where many Dutch settlers moved during the 19th and 20th centuries.

In the United States, the Wiericks surname is most commonly found in Michigan and New York. In Michigan, there are greater concentration of the name in Ottawa and Kent counties. There is also a sizable concentration in the city of Holland in Ottawa County.

The Wiericks last name can also be found in Canada, particularly in the province of Ontario. There is also a concentration of the name in the cities of Ajax and Oshawa within the Durham region in Ontario.

However, in the past 50 years, the Wiericks surname has experienced a decline in population. As of the 2010 US census, it is estimated the name was held by less than 500 people in the country. This is in stark contrast to its peak population in 1950, where the name was more popular, being held by approximately 1,500 people.

Variations of the surname Wiericks

The surname Wiericks can take several variants and alternate spellings, each of which reflects the family’s region of origin. The most common variant of the surname is the Dutch version, Wierikx, although some other versions are also observed, such as Wierek, Wierók, Wierczek, and Wieruck.

In German-speaking areas, the surname can take the forms Weyrich, Weyerichs, Weyrichs, Weyerich, Wierig, Wierich, Wierigke, and Wyersk. Variants of the surname in many Dutch and east-central European areas include Wiers, Wierse, Wiertz, and Wierts.

The surname Wiericks may also have alternate spellings, such as Weyrichs, Weirichs, Wires, and Wierse, which are found mainly in Dutch-speaking areas. In Polish and Slovakian regions, variations of the surname include Yericks, Wiercik, Wierzchk, Wirászk, Wyrasowski, and Wiersz.

Still other forms of the surname include the Russian variant Vyerkh, and the Portuguese and Spanish cognates Visquier, Visques, Vizquez, Vique, and Viquez.

No matter the spelling or the origin, the surname Wiericks traces back to a single root, and its many variants link individuals to a shared ancestral line. In this way, even after centuries, the same surname can exist in many forms and still unite families around the world.

Famous people with the name Wiericks

• Esmée Wiericks: Dutch actress who has appeared in various Dutch television series.
• Michael Wierick: American professional wrestler.
• Rudolph Wierick: Austrian-born American painter.
• Craig Wierick: American football player.
• Scott Wierick: American actor, director, and writer, known for his role in the film In Time.
• Margaret Wierick: American art historian and academic.
• Jelte Wierick: Dutch basketball player.
• Tobias Wierick: 20th-century Dutch sculptor.
• Jan Wierick: Dutch portrait painter in the 18th century.
• Nicole Wierick: Brazilian actress and former model.
• Gustav Wierick: 19th-century German craftsperson.
• Karl Wierick: Austrian-American architect.
• Bernard Wierick: Belgian artist and cartoonist known for his comic strips about the war in Flanders during World War I.
• Leopold Wierick: German actor and director of the 17th century.
• Alexa Wierick: Austrian-American theater director.
• Christoph Wierick: German actor who appeared in a few films in the late 1960s.
• Paul Wierick: Dutch patriot during the Dutch Revolt in the 16th century.
• William Wierick: Australian Anglican priest.
• Ryan Wierick: American musician and vocalist.
• Bernd Wierick: German swimmer.

Other surnames

WierichWierichsWierick