Surname Wigger - Meaning and Origin
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Wigger: What does the surname Wigger mean?
The last name Wigger is of German origin. The name is derived from the word wiggere which means “to wander” or “hobo”, indicating it was once an occupational name for a roamer or a vagabond. This could refer to someone who traveled from place to place, often for work or trade. It could also be a nickname for someone considered an outsider or an oddball.
The name has been traced back to the early 16th century in towns such as Weiler and Wineger, where families bearing the surname are found. It is believed that Wiggers who migrated to other European countries anglicized their name to Wiggers, Wiggerman, or Wiggermann.
Today, the Wigger name is widely found in many countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and England. In general, the surname indicates someone with a strong sense of adventure and a penchant for exploration. This could extend to any length of travel, from a farmer traversing the countryside to a sailor voyaging across the ocean.
No matter its place of origin, the Wigger name has become synonymous with ancestral wanderlust and the desire to experience new sights and sounds. It is a reminder of our shared human need for adventure and exploration, even if our means of traveling have changed through the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWigger: Where does the name Wigger come from?
The last name Wigger is of German origin and is most commonly found today in the region of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is quite rare in other parts of the world, so it is not particularly common.
The first documented use of the surname was in 1644 in the now defunct district of Zwingendorf, which was located in present-day Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The oldest recorded Wigger family was from the areas of Lüneburg, Oberdorf-Göttingen, and Neuhaus, all located in Germany. The surname Wigger was most likely derived from the name of a place, such as Wiggersdorf, or Wiggerstein.
The modern spelling of the name is usually Wigger, however, other variances exist including Wiggers, Wiggerstorff and even Viggers. In addition, there are other, less common variants found in the U.S., such as Wiggar and Wygter.
The Wigger family became quite successful, especially in the arts and sciences, throughout the 1700s and 1800s. In terms of general occurrence and spread, the surname is still more commonly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland than anywhere else. Today, it is more common in the United States, but its primary focus remains in the historic region of Germany.
Variations of the surname Wigger
The surname Wigger is derived from the Old High German name ‘Wicher’ which is composed of the elements ‘wîch’ meaning ‘warlike’ and ‘heri’ meaning ‘army’ or ‘host’. It is thought to have originated as a nickname for someone who was a warrior or feared in combat. Variations of the Wigger surname include Wiggar, Wiggers, Wyger, Wiggers, Wicher, Wygher, Wygar, Weeger, Wygert and Wichert.
Interestingly, Wigger can also be an Anglicized spelling of the German surname Wieger (or Wiegers), which is derived from the Old High German personal name ‘Wigor’ or the Middle Low German name ‘Wiger’, meaning ‘fighter’ or ‘warrior’. Variations of Wieger include Weger, Wieghard, Weigherd, Weigart, Wegerle, Wegg, Weegar, Wefamous, and Wegemann.
By the 1200s, many Wiggers had emigrated to the United States and the surname is now mainly found in Pennsylvania and other places in the south east. Alternate spellings of the surname Wigger/Wieger have also been recorded in England and parts of Europe. For example, the Anglicized forms Weager, Weyger, Wryger and Wygre have been recorded in the 1379 Yorkshire Poll Tax.
Some other variations of the surname include: Weger, Wagar, Wegrzyn, Weggen, Weijer, Weegers, Wijkers, Wigar, Wigars, Wuger, Wiggerhapke, Wiggerman and Wiggershausen.
Famous people with the name Wigger
- Troy Wigger: American three-time Grammy-winning music engineer, mixer and producer.
- Logan Wigger: American actor who starred in the Netflix movie, The Perfect Date.
- Leon Wigger: Dutch illustrator for children’s books.
- Trindel Wigger: 3-time Dutch champion in mountain bike biking.
- Amber Wigger: American competitive cyclist.
- Will Wigger: American actor best known for films like Invincible and Black Hawk Down.
- Lee Wigger: American former NBA basketball player.
- Mischa Wigger: Dutch painter and sculptor.
- Vic Wigger: German former professional footballer.
- Deniz Wigger: German-Australian actress and model.