Surname Wigard - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wigard: What does the surname Wigard mean?
The last name Wigard can be traced back to early German origins. The surname is believed to derive from the personal given name "Wichere" or "Wigbert", which both derive from the Old Germanic roots "wig" or "wih" meaning "war" or "battle". Thus, Wigard is a surname that reflects the occupation or characteristic of a ferocious warrior.
The earliest documented reference of the Wigard name appears in a 1230 record of the Weikersleben Monastery located in Northeastern Germany. The record stated, "Adelbertus cumhert der widgert, vir fortis sit." Translated roughly, this meant "Adelbert the Wigard, strong warrior." This first reference suggests a long and proud heritage of military achievement for this steadfast family name.
Throughout the centuries, Wigard has remained a popular name in German culture, as evidenced by the fact Wigard is currently the 5,331st most popular surname in Germany. Famous individuals bearing this surname include Karsten Wigard from Germany, collegiate fencing coach Wilhelm Wigard and Wigard of Wilton, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman and the founder of Wilton Abbey in Wiltshire, England.
Today, Wigard continues to serve as a proud and courageous reminder of the Germanic warrior traditions of honor, strength, and loyalty.
Order DNA origin analysisWigard: Where does the name Wigard come from?
The surname Wigard is believed to have originated from Germany and is now found in many parts of the world. It is especially prominent in parts of the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. This suggests that it was brought over by members of the Wigard family during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Wigard name is also seen in Australia, the Netherlands, and across Europe, where it is particularly common in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In South Africa, it is mainly found in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces.
The popularity of the Wigard surname in the United States can be seen in the records of the Social Security Administration, where it ranked 1,331 for births in the year 2020. It was one of the top 1,000 most common surnames in the state of Pennsylvania in the 2000 census.
The Wigard name continues to be used today and is growing in popularity, particularly in the United States. It is a testament to the many generations of Wigards that have passed down their family name, making it one of the more widely spread globally.
Variations of the surname Wigard
The surname Wigard (also spelled Wignard, Wigand, and Wigandt) is of German origin. The root of this name lies in the Middle High German word “wigant,” meaning to protect, denoting someone who served as a protector or guard.
The variants and alternate spellings of the name Wigard include Wigand, Wignard, Wigandt, and Wigant, although there are other less common ones as well. For example, Wigandl (or Wigandle), Wigandi, and Wigarda are all believed to be earliest forms of the name found in German literature from the 12th century.
The surname is also sometimes found as Wiegard, which is believed to be a slight variation stemming from a more extreme spelling of the original name.
Surnames derived from the same Middle High German root as Wigard include Wiggers, Wiggerth, Wiggerts, Wiggersen, and even Wigbold.
At various points in history, certain families with the surname Wigard have occasionally adopted versions of their name to better suit their cultural identity. For example, in the United States and Britain, some families known by the name Wigard have adopted the alternate spellings or surnames of Wigart, Vigard, Weigard, or Vigardt.
Famous people with the name Wigard
- Taylor Wigard: Actor; best known for playing the character Felicia in the Netflix series Plans vs. Zombies: Battle For Suburbia.
- Ginny Wigard: actress; best known for her roles in the films Beach Babes from Beyond and Carnosaur 2.
- Beulah Wigard: Singer; recorded music from the 1940s and 1960s, including gospel and popular jazz.
- Katherine Wigard: Comic book illustrator; contributed interior art and covers to various Marvel comics.
- John Wigard: Politician; served in the California State Assembly from 1914 to 1916.
- Michael Wigard: Entrepreneur; co-founded the venture-capital firm Camden Partners.
- Clay Wigard: Stage manager; worked at various Broadway shows, including Little Shop of Horrors.
- Marcia Wigard: Designer; created costumes for professional theatres, operas and musicals.
- Tim Wigard: Track and field athlete; competed in the decathlon at the 1992 Summer Olympics.
- Bob Wigard: Musician; co-wrote the R&B hit song “What’d I Say”.