Surname Wikoff - Meaning and Origin
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Wikoff: What does the surname Wikoff mean?
The surname Wikoff is of German origin, and is derived from a popular medieval given name. It is thought to have originally been the surname of a respected family of some note. One variant of the name, Wykoff, likely derived from the Old German “wicka,” meaning “concave,” or “hollowed out.” This likely refers to the shield shape of a coat-of-arms that was associated with the family.
Wikoff is an uncommon surname, but it is present in many English-speaking countries, and has a significant presence in the United States in particular. In the United States, the surname is believed to have first appeared in the 1700s, when the earliest German immigrants arrived.
The meaning of the name has also shaped its use as an Anglicized version of the German origin. It is believed to be a form of the word “wickedoff,” which is a compound of two words: “wick,” meaning wily or crafty, and “hoff,” meaning court. This may refer to a person of courtly origin, a reference to the original German roots of the Wikoff family.
In modern times, the Wikoff surname is considered a mark of pride for those who bear it. Though only a small number in number, this proudly German surname has endured for centuries and continues to evoke a sense of history among its wearers.
Order DNA origin analysisWikoff: Where does the name Wikoff come from?
The Wikoff surname is most commonly found in the United States of America, but has origins in Germany. The name Wikoff can be traced back to German roots from the Middle Ages, when it was spelled as Wyckoff. This name originates from the German phrase “Wicke-hof” which translates to “bend in the road.”
When it comes to where the Wikoff name is found today, many people with this surname reside in California and Michigan. The majority of the population with this name lives in the mid-western United States. The states recording the largest populations with this surname are Ohio, California, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida.
Thanks to immigration to the United States, the name has become more prominent throughout the country. People with this last name could also be found in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Great Britain, as well as in other countries around the world.
The Wikoff surname is not particularly rare, however, it is not particularly common either. It is estimated that there are approximately 12,000 people across the globe with this surname. Most of these individuals, however, are still found within the United States of America.
Variations of the surname Wikoff
The Wikoff surname is thought to be derived from the German name Wickhoff. Variants and spellings of the Wikoff last name include Wycoff, Wicoff, Wickeoff, Wickeyoff, Wykoff, Wickhoff, Wyckoff, Wyckhoff, Wykeoff, and Wyckhoven. There is a hypothesis that the spelling variations of Wikoff are derived from the surname of Germans who migrated to England in the seventeenth century. This belief is based on a certain variation of the surname i.e. Wykoff being very similar to the word "wick," meaning village or out-front in old German.
This origin of the surname is likely a result of the numerous wars and skirmishes that occurred during Europe's history. As a result of violence and danger, many German families were forced to flee their homeland and resettle in foreigners lands often taking on different surname forms and spellings that were easier for residents in the new land to pronounce.
Surnames based on similar phonetics and spellings were likely grouped together under the same name. This helped to cement the comparisons between the various forms of the Wikoff surname, including such spellings as Wycoff, Wicoff, Wykoff, and Wickhoff.
It is also possible that the Wikoff surname could have come from a location. For example, Wykoff may have been derived from the village of Wyckoff in Germany.
Famous people with the name Wikoff
- Richard Wikoff: Richard Wikoff is a Kansas-based entrepreneur and investor. He is best known for founding the software company Wikoff and co-founding Drs. Chopper and Reed private medical practices.
- John Wikoff: John Wikoff is a prominent American lawyer. He is the managing partner of Wikoff & Kwasnik, a leading New York law firm, and serves as an advisor to many organizations.
- Sarah Wikoff: Sarah Wikoff is a renowned violinist and vocalist, and a member of the L.A. based jazz band, Vaughan and Wikoff. She is also a long-time performer on "A Prairie Home Companion" with Garrison Keillor.
- E.A. Wikoff: E. A. Wikoff is the author of several books, including The Asian Crisis, Geopolitics and the Transnational Economy and the nonfiction work, The Global Economy in Transition.
- Rachael Wikoff: Rachael Wikoff is an award-winning rhythmdriven singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She recently released her single "My Love" which was featured in the movie "What Men Want".
- Lori Wikoff: Lori Wikoff is the principal ballerina of the Carolina Ballet, and is widely considered one of the best ballerinas in the world. She has performed in many ballets and operas all over the globe.
- Michael Wikoff: Michael Wikoff is a Grammy awardwinning guitarist. He is best known for his work on the hit album "This Is Not a Love Song" by the band Sugarland.
- David Wikoff: David Wikoff is an internationally recognized artist, author, and the curator of several prominent art collections in California.
- Daniel Wikoff: Daniel Wikoff is the co-founder and CEO of the Dallas-based startup Icon Consulting. He is also a former employee at the Pentagon, where he worked on intelligence operations.
- Sam Wikoff: Sam Wikoff is a technology entrepreneur who co-founded the leading online business platform, QuickBooks. He currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer of Intuit, Inc.