Surname Wig - Meaning and Origin
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Wig: What does the surname Wig mean?
The surname Wig is of multiple origins. It has been linked to the Old English personal name "Wigheard," which originated from two elements "wig" meaning "war" and "heard" meaning "strong, hard." Thus, this noun may refer to a war fighter or warrior. In Norwegian and Swedish, the surname Wig is related to the term “vik” meaning "a bay or creek." It is also traced back to the Germanic name element 'wig' or the Old High German 'wīch' indicating 'battle, fight.' In this context, it could refer to someone who is a fighter or a seasoned warrior. Historically, it was a common practice to acquire a last name referencing geographical locations or personal characteristics, which could also be the case with this surname. Interpretations can vary based on cultural and historical contexts, so the exact meaning could differ across regions or over time.
Order DNA origin analysisWig: Where does the name Wig come from?
The last name Wig is most common in the Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. It is also found in parts of Germany and Austria. According to records from Swedish phone books, the last name Wig is found in some parts of America and Canada as well.
The origin of the last name Wig is thought to have originated from the Old Norse word vigg, meaning meadow or pasture. It is likely that it was a surname derived from those who lived near or worked in meadows and pastures.
Today, the last name Wig still remains fairly common in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries. It also appears to have transferred to some American states, with the few listed in phone books being from states such as Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It is also possible that some of the Canadian Wig’s are of Scandinavian descent.
In general, the last name Wig is not particularly common in most parts of the world, but is still found in parts of Scandinavia, Germany, Austria, America, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Wig
The Wig surname has many variants and spellings, as well as other surnames that may have the same origin. These variants are likely derived from the Germanic personal name 'Wiggo/Wigga', which is composed of the elements 'wig' meaning 'war' and 'helm' meaning 'helmet', or some other similar word related to battle.
Variants of the name Wig include the German spelling Wiege, Wegg, Weig, Wegi, Wegue and Wegh, as well as the Scandinavian spelling Weeg and the Dutch spelling Weij.
The wives of those with the surname Wig often adopted the use of the spelling Wikes and Wicks.
Additionally, surnames that may have a similar origin to Wig include Weigand, Weidand, Weigert, Vogt, Wieghorst, Weigel, and Weder.
In England, the pronunciation and spelling of Wig has evolved to that of Weak or Wick, which can lead to confusion and a mistaken association with different surnames.
In Scotland, the spelling of Wig has also changed over time, with Wigg, Wiggie and Wiggin being the main variants.
Whether or not any of these other variants and spellings are of the same origin as the Wig surname is not definitively known, but they could very well have a similar origin.
Famous people with the name Wig
- Anna Wig, Swedish marketer and strategist
- Jens Wig Ullmann, Norwegian writer, songwriter, and artist
- Amber Wig, English-American actress and model
- Maja Wig, Danish actress
- Borre Wig, Norwegian shipowner
- Julia Wig, Argentinian fashion designer
- Howard Wig, American actor
- Edith Wig, Canadian microbiologist
- Yuji Wigg, British-American actor
- Erik Wig, Norwegian film director and screenwriter