Surname Wildisen - Meaning and Origin

Wildisen: What does the surname Wildisen mean?

The surname Wildisen is of German origin and is derived from the Middle German surname 'Wildīsin'. It first appears in records in the 12th century and is thought to have been an occupational name for someone who was a collector or seller of game or wild animals.

In Middle German, ‘wilde’ translated to English as ‘wild’ or 'untamed' and 'sin' translates to ‘son’ or 'descendant', so the family name Wildisen literally means "descendants of the wild animals".

As the name suggests, Wildisens may have had a long history of hunting and trapping game, particularly deer and rabbits, as it was once a common way to make a living. This tradition of hunting in the wild would have been passed down to the Wildisen family members.

The Wildisen name is likely to have spread throughout Germany over the centuries, and it is still occasionally seen throughout the country today. However, the most common areas for Wildisens are Bavaria, Thuringia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Hamburg. It is also possible to find pockets of Wildisens in Romania, the United States, and Canada.

The Wildisen family is said to have a strong sense of loyalty and justice. They are said to be courageous and generous. Wildisens are known to be compassionate and honest, and they value family and friendships deeply. The Wildisen family is also said to be independent and confident, with a strong ability to succeed and rise through the ranks.

Wildisen: Where does the name Wildisen come from?

The Wildisen surname is currently found scattered around Europe, particularly in Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark. It originated in the German-speaking region of the Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages, so it is not surprising that it is found primarily in German-speaking countries today.

The Wildisen surname is relatively uncommon - it ranks 630,635 out of approximately 810,000 surnames in use today. There are a few dozen individuals living across Europe who share this surname, mostly in Germany, France, and Switzerland. It appears to be slightly more popular in Switzerland, where it ranks 67,010 out of approximately 360,000 recorded surnames.

In Europe, the vast majority of references to the Wildisen name appear to relate to the unconnected individual families who have held the surname since the Middle Ages. There are, however, a handful of other people in Europe and elsewhere who have taken the Wildisen name, perhaps due to marriage or adoption, or because of its appealing sound. Outside of Europe, the Wildisen name is very rare – very few individuals have taken it as their own.

Overall, the last name Wildisen is considered to be uncommon due to its limited geographical spread and low frequency.

Variations of the surname Wildisen

Wildisen is a rare German surname that originated in Bavaria and can be found in various parts of the world. It is believed that the name is derived from the word 'Waldeisen', meaning 'iron of the forest'. While the surname is uncommon, there are several alternate spellings and variations that are used in different areas.

The most common spelling is Wildisen, but this can also be spelled Wildisan, Wildson, Wiltisen, and Wiltsen. In some parts of the United States, the name is even more commonly found as Wilt or Wilts.

Other similar surnames that fall under the same origin include Willison, Wilsen, Willisen, Wiltis, Wiltshusen, and Wiltse. These surnames are all derived from the old Germanic nickname 'Waldeisen' or 'iron of the forest'. This nickname, in turn, was derived from a combination of the Germanic words 'wald', meaning forest, and 'eisen', meaning iron.

Additionally, Wildesen is another derivation of Wildisen. 'Wilde' is the German word for 'wild' and is commonly found in Westphalia and Bavarian surnames as a prefix. The 'sen' at the end of the name is short for 'son', which is a Germanic patriarchal suffix.

Due to its rarity, some bearers of the Wildisen name have changed it in order to make it sound more English. Examples include Wilding, Wildon, and Wildingwood. All of these variants, spellings and surnames share the same origin as Wildisen.

Famous people with the name Wildisen

• Diana Wildisen: German professor of public law, women's rights activist and human rights advocate.
• Elizabeth Wildisen: American Olympic gymnast who won a gold medal in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
• Philip Wildisen: Austrian composer and orchestra director who was active in the 18th century.
• Thomas Wildisen: German jurist who wrote about the philosophy of law, human nature, and the law of nature.
• Carl Edward Wildisen: Canadian luthier and violin maker born in the late 19th century.
• Pierre Wildisen: French politician and lawyer, active during the mid-20th century.
• Cheryl Wildisen: British actress, best known for her role in the early 2000s sitcom ‘The Royle Family'.
• Friedrich Wildisen: German entomologist and avid lepidopterist in the late 19th century.
• Wolfgang Wildisen: Austrian astronomer and physicist, active in the mid-19th century.
• Claude Wildisen: Swiss mountaineer and mountain guide, born in the early 20th century.

Other surnames

Wildiss