Surname Wilpers - Meaning and Origin
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Wilpers: What does the surname Wilpers mean?
The surname Wilpers is a German habitational name derived from the Old Germanic personal name Willemar, composed of elements meaning “desire” and “famous.” The name was quite popular in Germany during the early Middle Ages and is still quite common in German-speaking countries today. It is thought to have been adopted as a surname during the 15th century, and many families with the surname Wilpers still live in Germany today.
The surname has also seen some use in the United States since the early 1800s, when a small number of German immigrants settled in the US. The surname is primarily found in Pennsylvania, where many German immigrants initially settled, as well as in Ohio, Illinois, and New York. It is a less common name in other parts of the US. A few variants of the surname Wilpers exist, including Wilper, Wilperser, Wilpersmann, and Wilhelm.
Wilpers is a unique name with an interesting origin story and rich history. It is a name still shared by many today, and while its spelling has changed slightly in different languages, its meaning remains unchanged.
Order DNA origin analysisWilpers: Where does the name Wilpers come from?
The last name Wilpers is most common in Germany, with a large concentration of individuals in the Bavaria region. Outside of Germany, there are Wilpers throughout Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is also present in the United States and Canada, though with fewer people who bear the name.
In Germany, the Wilpers surname dates back to the 13th century and is of Germanic origin. Its usage appears to have grown from the 14th-16th centuries, when it was used to identify the family as descendants from settlements around the Bavarian Forest area. The prevalence of the name in that region remains to this day, and it is still used as a surname in rural areas in the north and east of Bavaria.
In the United States, the Wilpers surname can be traced to European immigrants who came to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of these immigrants were from Germany and Austria, and the surname continues to be used in the U.S. today. It can also be found in areas of Canada with ties to German-speaking peoples, such as Saskatchewan.
Today, the Wilpers surname is most commonly found in Germany, where it remains a reminder of the region’s deeply-rooted history. It is also becoming increasingly common in parts of the United States and Canada, as individuals of German heritage continue to immigrate to these countries in search of better opportunities.
Variations of the surname Wilpers
The surname Wilpers is commonly believed to have originated in Europe. Different variants of the name exist with slight spelling variations, such as Wilpurs, Wilpers, Wilprs.
It is believed that the name has its roots in Middle High German. The most common spelling in the United States is 'Wilpers'. This variant of the surname can be found in census records from the mid 19th century onward.
Wilpers can also be associated with England, from which it is believed to have been derived, though spelling variants such as Williers, Wippres, Wilpers, and Whelliers may exist in England.
In Germany the name often appears as 'Wilpers', and in French territories such as France and Belgium, it can often be found as 'Williers' or 'Willery'.
In Russian, the surname may appear as 'Vilpes'. In Ireland, the surname may appear as 'Vilpres', 'Vilpere', 'Vilpers', 'Vylpers', or 'Vilpre'.
There are a few other associated spellings, such as 'Vilpres', 'Wilpers', 'Vilipers', 'Vilpers', 'Vilpers', 'Welpers' or 'Willers', and 'Willers'.
Finally, some other surnames which have been derived from Wilpers include Willersby, Wilpoole, Wilperston, Willerton, Vilpryser and Wilprisens. Overall, Wilpers is quite a common surname globally and it has various spelling variants depending on the country and region it is found in.
Famous people with the name Wilpers
- Brooke Wilpers: American soccer player and Olympic gold medalist
- Brett Wilpers: Professional golfer
- Robert Wilpers: American artist and sculptor
- Alfred Wilpers: German theologian
- Carlos Wilpers: Chilean politician
- Jens Wilpers: German football player
- Andreas Wilpers: German painter
- Wilhelm Wilpers: German musicologist
- Jürgen Wilpers: German physicist
- Joachim Wilpers: German mathematician