Surname Wiesen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wiesen: What does the surname Wiesen mean?
The last name Wiesen is of German origin and translates to "field," "meadow," or "pasture" depending on the regional dialect. In the Middle Ages, surnames were based largely on geography, occupational trades, and other matters of daily life. Those bearing the name Wiesen likely hail from a place where there were abundant fields or meadows, such as a valley, a lake, or a mountain.
The name Wiesen may also have been taken on by someone in an agricultural profession, such as a farmer or gardener. In the German language, "Wiese" is used to refer to a field or meadow that is used for growing crops or raising animals, including cows, sheep, goats, and poultry. It's likely that anyone with the surname Wiesen had close ties to agriculture in some way.
Finally, the name Wiesen could have been used to denote someone from an area with many meadows or fields. Such a connection could have been made with a specific region or region and used to geographically distinguish families from one another. It's possible, too, that Wiesen could have been the name of someone who oversaw an open space, such as a public park, field, or meadow.
No matter the origin, those with the last name Wiesen likely have ties to the land, its potential for crop growth, and the agricultural lifeways that have been developed over the centuries in communities surrounding such areas.
Order DNA origin analysisWiesen: Where does the name Wiesen come from?
The surname Wiesen is most commonly found in Germany today, especially in Bavaria and Lower Saxony. It is believed to come from the Middle High German word "wiese" which means "meadow", and so can be taken to mean "the dweller in the meadow". The surname is most likely derived from localities so named, which would explain why it is found only in a few regions and not radiating out from them.
The most likely origin of the surname is places called Wiese, which are scattered over Germany, especially in Hesse, Hochsauerland, and Schleswig-Holstein. In Germany, many Wiesen's are farmers who have held this name for centuries. Alternatively, in some communities the name may have arisen out of an occupation such as a miller or a weaver.
The name is also found in other countries, particularly in the United States, where many Germans settled in the 18th and 19th centuries. More recently, immigrants have come from Germany to the US and elsewhere in Europe, carrying the name with them.
Overall, the name Wiesen is especially popular in Germany and is most likely derived from localities so named. Today, however, it can be found in various countries around the world owing to immigration.
Variations of the surname Wiesen
The surname Wiesen is of Germanic origin and is derived from the German word 'Wiese' meaning 'meadow' or 'pasture'. It is most common in Germany, Austria, and some parts of Switzerland. Variants of the surname include Weisen, Weis, Wießen, Weiser, Weisberg, Wisenbacher, and Wiesebach. There is also a Dutch variant of the name, Wijsen.
Spellings of the surname Wiesen include Wiesen, Weisen, Weis, Wießen, Weißen, and Weis. It is also sometimes spelled Weysen.
Variations of the surname which may be found in some documents include Weissen, Wiese, Weis, Weisman, Weizman, Weismantel, Weisenbach, Weisemann, and Weisenberger.
The English-language spelling of the surname is Wiesen. Common surnames of the same origin include Viesen, Viesser, and Vienna. Other surnames with a similar origin include Weis, Weise, and Weiss.
In Scandinavia the surname can be spelled Viesen and Viesser. The surname Wyser may also be of nearly related origin, as may the surnames Wise and Wiessner.
In the United States the surname Wiesen is predominantly found among American descendants of German-speaking immigrants from the Central European region. Common German variants of the same surname used in the United States are Wischmann, Weismann, Weisman, and Weisz. Variants of the surname found in other German-speaking countries include Weissenberger, Wiesner, Wissner, and Wiesbacher.
Famous people with the name Wiesen
- David Wiesen, an award-winning American filmmaker
- Francis Joseph Wiesen, a former United States Representative for New York
- Emil Wiesen, a German-born American architect
- Craig Wiesen, a professional ice hockey player
- Jan Wiesen, an American professor of art
- Heinz Wiesen, a former chairman of the board of BMW
- Kramer Wiesen, a Californian independent filmmaker
- Braden Wiesen, a professional Canadian ice hockey player
- Kimberly Wiesen, an American pop singer-songwriter
- Mark Wiesen, an American golf player, winner of several championships