Surname Wiggers - Meaning and Origin
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Wiggers: What does the surname Wiggers mean?
The last name Wiggers is of Germanic origin. It most likely originated from early Middle High German as the occupational name Wiggar, meaning 'warrior' or 'soldier.' This name was often used in the Middle Ages as a symbolic honor for a military general or ruler who achieved a strong victory in battle. It was later adapted to the Dutch form Wiggers and came to be a popular surname in the Netherlands. Over time it eventually spread to other parts of Europe.
Wiggers often signified a man who was devoted to battle and could serve as a leader in times of distress. The surname Wiggers was most commonly used as a singular and not part of a compound name. Examples of Wiggers people with the surname include Dutch author Jan Wiggers, Dutch movie and TV actor Richard Wiggers, Dutch tennis player Marco Wiggers, and Swedish poet Carl Wiggers.
This surname has evolved and many people have adopted it around the world as a part of their identity. It is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and parts of Sweden. The name is most likely still associated with the legacy of the brave warriors of the past and their noble service and distinguished history in defending their homeland.
Order DNA origin analysisWiggers: Where does the name Wiggers come from?
The last name Wiggers is most commonly found in the Netherlands and certain parts of Germany. However, in recent decades, the population of people with the last name Wiggers has spread across other regions in Europe, as well as North America and Oceania.
In the Netherlands, people with the Wiggers last name are mainly concentrated in the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe, and Overijssel, with most of them living in Groningen. Wiggers is not a very common name in the Netherlands and their estimated population in the country stands at 4,000.
Today, Wiggers descendants prominently feature in the American states of California, Florida, and New Jersey. They can also be found in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.
In New Zealand, the Wiggers last name is most commonly seen in the city of Auckland, with a few other pockets of people having the surname scattered across the country. The estimated population of people with the surname Wiggers in New Zealand is 1,500.
Finally, in Australia, people with the surname Wiggers are mainly concentrated in the state of Victoria. Estimates suggest that the total population of Wiggers families in the state stands at 2,000 people.
Variations of the surname Wiggers
The surname Wiggers is likely of German or Dutch origin and is derived from the personal name "Wigger." Depending on the location and time of origin, the name Wiggers may have variant spellings such as Viggers or Wigiers. The most common spelling is Wiggers and other variations are typically found amongst families originating in Germany or the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Wiggers include Wigart, Wichard, Wichards, Wichart, and Wicker. These names are derived from the Middle High German root word weger, stemming from the occupation of a weaver or wicker worker. Similarly, Wigger is often associated with the occupation of a wainwright or wagon maker. Other variations, such as the Dutch Wigers, can simply be attributed to mistranslation of the original German name.
In some cases, Wiggers can be found translated into other languages, such as Wigen in Norwegian. Other variants include Wyger, Wikers, Wigers, Wiggens, Wikes, and Wikker.
The spelling of Wiggers can also be seen in variants of other surnames, especially in families originating in Norway. A rare variant of Wiggers, for instance, is Wingers, derived from the Norwegian name Vingård, which translates to 'wine garden' or 'vineyard.'
Finally, variants of the Wiggers surname can sometimes be found amongst families that have Americanized the name. One such example is Wiggen, which is taken from the original Wiggers and may be a spelling variation from the pronunciation of the name.
Famous people with the name Wiggers
- Bob Wiggers: American retired professional baseballer who played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball
- Pim Wiggers: Dutch sportscaster, currently working for RTL 7
- Coemgenus Wiggers: American medievalist, currently a Professor of English at Loyola Marymount University
- Gerard Wiggers: Dutch organist, choir director, and composer
- Oscar Wiggers: Dutch strongman who competed in the World's Strongest Man Competition in 1991
- Jelle Wiggers: Dutch football manager, founded the professional soccer team FC Emmen
- Theo Wiggers: Dutch former professional footballer
- Ernest Wiggers: Dutch former professional footballer
- Thijs Wiggers: Dutch Olympic weightlifter who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics
- Floris Wiggers: Dutch former professional ice hockey goaltender