Surname Wiers - Meaning and Origin
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Wiers: What does the surname Wiers mean?
The last name Wiers is derived from the Germanic name “Wier”, meaning “guardian” or “protector”. It may have originally been used to describe someone who worked as a watchman or a guard, a role which was historically important in many parts of the world. The name Wiers can also be derived from the French “Viert”, which is believed to refer to old French ponds and fountains.
The popularity of the name Wiers is believed to have grown over time, spreading as families migrated and adopted different variants of their original surname. It is especially common in the Netherlands and Germany, as well as parts of Scandinavia. It is also seen in North America, where most of the early bearers of this surname are believed to have migrated from Europe during the mid-1800s.
The meaning of the name “Wiers” often carries with it a sense of protection, safety, and security. Historically, this would have been an important trait for a watchman or guard, and it has been incorporated into the name over time. Those who bear this surname may have descended from individuals who provided an important service to their communities, and can view this name as both a reminder and honor of their ancestors' duties.
Order DNA origin analysisWiers: Where does the name Wiers come from?
The last name Wiers is most common today in the Netherlands. According to the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics, Wiers was the131st most common name in the Netherlands in 2019. It is thought to be derived from the Dutch word "wier," which means "meadow."
In the United States, Wiers isn't a particularly common last name. According to the US Census, there were 256 people who bore the name in 2019. It is unclear whether these individuals are all descended from families with Dutch heritage or whether they originate from a different part of Europe.
The Wiers surname is also found in other countries in Europe, particularly in Germany and Belgium. In Germany, there were 98 people with the name in 2019, whilst in Belgium only a handful of people carry the name.
Overall, Wiers is most associated with the Netherlands and its descendants, although it is borne by a small number of families elsewhere in Europe and in the US.
Variations of the surname Wiers
The surname Wiers has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Wears, Wier, Wiers, Wierts, Wierz, Wiersz, Wiersch, Wyes, Weyers, and Weyres.
Wears is derived from the Old English name War, which means “counselor”. The suffix “-s” was added to signify a diminutive form, and it became Wears.
Wier and Wiers are Dutch variants of this surname. It was derived from the Dutch word wier, which means “willow tree”. It is believed that the root of this surname comes from a nickname for someone who is tall and slender like a willow.
Wierts is a Dutch variant of Wiers, and it is derived from the Dutch word for “lake”. It is believed to have been used as a topographic nickname for someone who lived near a lake or marshy area.
Wierz is a German variant of Wiers. It is derived from the Old German word wieri, which means “weir” or “dyke”. It is thought to have originated as a topographic nickname for someone who lived near or beside a weir or dyke.
Wiersz, Wiersch, and Wyes are all variants of Wiers. Wiersz is a Polish variant that was derived from the word wierny, which means “faithful”. Wiersch and Wyes are dialectal variants of Wiers that were used by German and Dutch immigrants in the United States and Canada.
Weyers is a Dutch variant of Wiers. It is derived from the Dutch word wijer, which means “willow twig”.
Weyres is a Dutch variant of Wiers. It is derived from the Dutch word weer, which means “level” or “flat”. It is believed to have been used as a topographic nickname for someone who lived on a flat piece of land.
Famous people with the name Wiers
- Sander Wiers: a Dutch professional basketball player for BV Merwede of the Dutch Basketball League.
- Brent Wiersma: a Dutch film director, screenwriter and actor best known for directing “The Great Gatsby” in 2013.
- Catleau Wiers: a Dutch professional football goalkeeper who plays for AFC Ajax and the Netherlands national team.
- Brian Wiersma: an American soccer midfielder who currently plays for Bethlehem Steel FC.
- Salme Wiers: a Dutch long distance runner and triathlete who won a gold medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
- Geert Wiers: a Dutch television personality and actor who has starred in over 50 television shows.
- Gerard Wiers: a Dutch business executive, entrepreneur, and former football player who served as president of Ajax for 12 years.
- Reinier Wiers: a Dutch footballer who played as a midfielder for FC Utrecht of the Dutch League.
- Ferdinand Wiers: a Dutch sculptor who specialized in abstract and modernist works and who is known for publicly protesting the Vietnam War.
- Pieter Wiers: a Dutch painter best known for his landscapes and portraits.