Surname Wiggen - Meaning and Origin
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Wiggen: What does the surname Wiggen mean?
The last name Wiggen is an English surname that originated from the Old Norse personal name "Viggi," which means "strong fighter." The name could be related to the term "wigend," which means "hero" or "warrior."
The name is first recorded in Medieval times when the name was the title of a man in charge of town defences. He was referred to as the Wiggen, which means "possessing military powers." During the Middle Ages, it was customary to adopt a hereditary surname from a person who had achieved a noteworthy reputation.
The name Wiggen is also connected to the German-Nordic term "wigel," meaning "to wield a weapon." This was initially thought to be derived from the Old Norse "vigen," meaning "to fight." This could refer to a warrior or soldier, though the significance of the name has changed over the centuries.
Over time, the meaning of the last name changed from a "strong fighter," to that of a "hero," as a more esteemed occupation. In more modern times, the name is seen as a symbol of courage, strength, and bravery.
The surname Wiggen is unique in the sense that it is both a symbol of physical power and courage, as well as a mark of respect and honour. Through its history, this name has come to be associated with individuals who are pure of heart, with courage and strength in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisWiggen: Where does the name Wiggen come from?
The last name Wiggen is most commonly associated with residents of Germany, particularly in the Rhineland region. This area of the country is strongly associated with the Protestant Reformation, which likely contributed to the popularity of the surname Wiggen during that time. It is also believed that the name was likely derived from a geographical location, such as Wiggum, which is located in the northern part of the Rhineland. Today, the last name Wiggen is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, due mainly to the fact that Wiggen is a relatively uncommon name typically only found in Germany. Those bearing the last name Wiggen tend to be spread across the country, with larger concentrations in the larger cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich. In recent years, the last name Wiggen has also become more common in the United States among recent immigrants from Germany, so it may be found in parts of the US with a strong German population.
Variations of the surname Wiggen
The surname Wiggen is of German origin and has several spelling variants including Wiggon, Wiggen, Wigin, Wiggenhagen, Wiggenhayn, Wiggenhaan, and Wiggin. It is also related to the surnames Wigginghagen, Wigginghain, and Wigginghausen.
The surname Wiggen is believed to have originated from the Middle High German terms "wicke” and "wicgin”, which refer to an area of land where a village or an estate is located. This means that it is likely to be a locational name and indicates that its original bearers were probably people who lived in such an area.
The related surname Wigginghagen is believed to have come from a place-name, with the German suffix "hagen" referring to an enclosed, forested area, while "Wigginghain" refers to a location in a forest area. Wigginghausen, on the other hand, likely comes from the root word "hause" meaning "house".
The surname Wiggen is found in various countries around the world. In the United States, it is most commonly found in the midwest and eastern states. It is also common in Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and Russia. As the surname Wiggen is of German origin, it is likely that many of its bearers can trace their roots to Germany.
Famous people with the name Wiggen
- Amber Wiggen: Former NBA player currently playing in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Ole Petter Wiggen: Norwegian politician and Governor of Sogn og Fjordane County
- Mark Edward Wiggen: American rock and roll musician
- Paal Wiggen: Norwegian writer
- Martin Wiggen: Retired Norwegian footballer who played for FK Haugesund
- Ida Wiggen: Norwegian actress and singer
- Thore Wiggen: Former Norwegian footballer for the national team
- Ørjan Wiggen: Norwegian curler who competed in several World Curling Championships
- Lars Eirik Wiggen: Norwegian slalom canoer who won two medals in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics
- Henrik Wiggen: Former professional ice hockey player who played for teams in both Sweden and Norway