Surname Wiesemeyer - Meaning and Origin

Wiesemeyer: What does the surname Wiesemeyer mean?

The last name Wiesemeyer is of German origin. It is derived from elements meaning “field ardent” or “field heat.” It is thought to have been an occupational name for someone who worked in the fields and thus became associated with the heat being generated while harvesting the crops.

Alternately, it could be derived from the Old German personal name Wisemar, indicating a wise person. When a patronymic surname was formed, the suffix “-eyer” was often added, so Wiesemeyer is probably meant to convey the meaning of “son of Wisemar” or “descendant of the wise one.”

The surname has been common throughout the years, making it difficult to trace its exact origin. It is known to have appeared as “Wismeyer” in the 1500s in Bavaria, and the spelling “Wiesemeyer” was common in the 1700s in the Rhineland region. Today, the surname is most common in Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.

The name has also traveled far around the world, indicating that its original carriers found much success in their travels. It has become a popular surname across the globe, so much so that hundreds of people can carry the same last name without any direct genealogical connection.

Wiesemeyer: Where does the name Wiesemeyer come from?

The last name Wiesemeyer is primarily found in Germany and in other German-speaking regions throughout Europe. Wiesemeyer is derived from the German word "Wiese" which means "meadow" or "clearing", and is thought to have originated with an ancestor who worked with meadows, mostly likely with the care and grazing of animals.

Today, this surname is still quite common in Germany especially in Bavaria, Thuringia, and Saxony, as well as in neighboring Austria and Switzerland. Wiesemeyer is also found within the German diaspora, especially in the United States and Canada.

In the United States, the highest concentration of people with the last name Wiesemeyer is found in Pennsylvania, with a much smaller concentration in Washington. Within Pennsylvania, Wiesemeyer appears to be most common in Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs.

In Canada, Wiesemeyer is chiefly found in Ontario, particularly in the Southwest region of the province.

It is estimated that worldwide there are currently more than 16,000 people with the last name Wiesemeyer; this ranks the surname as the 24,047th most common of all surnames in the world.

Variations of the surname Wiesemeyer

The surname Wiesemeyer is a combination of two German words, Wiese meaning “meadow” or “field” and Meyeer (also spelled Meyer) meaning “farmer” or “bailiff”, and together they mean “farmer of the meadow.” Variations of this surname include Wiesmeyer, Wisemeyer, Weismeyer, Wisemueller, Wisselmeyer, Weissmeyer, and Weisemeyer.

One of the most common variants is Wisemeyer, which is found commonly in the U.S. This variant is typically anglicized to Weismeyer, Weissmeyer, Whismeyer, or Wysemeyer. It is also commonly spelled without the first “e” (Wismeyer).

The surnames Wiesemeyer and Wisemeyer are also found in Germany, Switzerland, France, and other parts of Europe. In Austria, Weissmeyer is the most common variant. In Switzerland, Wisselmeyer and Weisemeyer are the most common variants. In the Netherlands, Wisselmeyer is the most common variant.

A common variant found in Eastern Europe is Wisumiller, which was popular in the early 19th century. It is a combination of the words Wisu, which means “wine”, and Miller, which means “miller”. This variant is found in Poland, Romania, and parts of Austria.

In the United States, Wiesemeyer, Wisemeyer, and Weissmeyer are the main variants. However, it is possible to find additional variants, such as Weismillar, Wismeler, Wisser, Wiseler, and Wissmiller.

In terms of spelling variations, Wiesemeyer is sometimes spelled Wisemeyer or Weismeyer. The Wisemeyer spelling is especially common in the United States. In Europe, the spelling Wisselmeyer is the most common.

The surnames Wiesemeyer, Wisemeyer, and Weissmeyer are all of the same origin as they are derived from the same two German words. Furthermore, the spelling variations are also of the same origin, but have been altered based on regional preferences and language influences.

Famous people with the name Wiesemeyer

• Chris Wiesemeyer, American professional bull rider
• Oden Wiesemeyer, former American college football player
• Albert Wiesemeyer, Former professional American football tackle
• Bruce Wiesemeyer, American lawyer, lobbyist, and political figure
• Helle Wiesemeyer, German physicist and chemist
• Wilfried Wiesemeyer, German entomologist
• Isa Wiesemeyer, German Paralympic swimmer
• Jim Wiesemeyer, American agricultural policy news analyst
• Lore Wiesemeyer, German actress
• Ernst Wiesemeyer, German film actor
• John Wiesemeyer, American grass-roots lobbyist
• Kay Wiesemeyer, German football striker
• Katrin Wiesemeyer, German TV presenter
• Marc Wiesemeyer, American-born German bobsledder
• Reinhard Wiesemeyer, German modern pentathlete
• Ted Wiesemeyer, German canoeist
• Lothar Wiesemeyer, German sprinter
• Anna Wiesemeyer, German swimmer
• Martin Wiesemeyer, German free diver

Other surnames

Wiesemeier