Surname Wilprecht - Meaning and Origin
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Wilprecht: What does the surname Wilprecht mean?
The surname Wilprecht is of German origin. It is derived from the name Wilhelm, which in English means "protector" or "defender," and Beraht, a Germanic name meaning "brightness." Thus, the combined name Wilprecht translates to "protector of brightness."
The name is appropriate for a family that can trace its roots back to old Germanic royalty and nobility. While the origins of the name are uncertain, many believe it was created in the 15th century and was originally a title or nickname given to a person whose character was deemed worthy of holding the surname Wilprecht.
The name has been borne by a number of noteworthy individuals throughout history, including the prominent German poet, Ludwig Wilprecht. Over time, the surname has been modified to reflect different patiences, such as Wilprechtas and Wilprechten, which are both diminutives of the original surname.
Today, the Wilprecht surname is not particularly common, but can be found in Germany, Austria, and the United States. It is associated with a strong sense of self-determination and loyalty, as well as a willingness to stand up for what is right. As such, it is a fitting name for any of those who wish to carry on the legacy of the Wilprecht name.
Order DNA origin analysisWilprecht: Where does the name Wilprecht come from?
The last name Wilprecht is most commonly found in Germany today. According to records from 2019, there were roughly 1,250 people with this name living in Germany. It is an uncommon name and has slowly decreased in numbers over the past few decades.
The name Wilprecht likely originates from either the German state of Bavaria or the former Prussian province of Silesia. The name is derived from the German word "Wilprafte", which was an old German title of nobility and roughly translates to "bendable in law". It likely came from an honorable family of some sort, and may still be held by some of their descendants today.
Wilprecht is also present in Switzerland and the Czech Republic, but it is much less commonly found there. It is also found in other parts of Europe, including Lithuania, France, Poland, Luxemburg, and Austria, and in smaller numbers in countries such as the United States and Australia.
Overall, Wilprecht is mainly concentrated in Germany, with smaller populations in other European countries. As a last name of German origin, it is part of Germany's rich culture and history, and can be found on many records of this region.
Variations of the surname Wilprecht
Wilprecht is an old German surname that has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants include Wilprecht, Wilbrecht, Wilbrecth, Wilprech, Willprecht, Willbrecth, Wilpreih and Wilbreich.
The surname Wilprecht has an old German origin and likely began as a nickname for someone who was brave or strong. The original spelling of the name is believed to have been Wilpraht, which was the combination of two German words - “wil” meaning “desire” and “praht” meaning “power”.
Other variants include Willpercht, Wilbrect, Wilprechti, Wilbrechti, Wilpreth, Wilprecth and Wilbreith. These are slightly more rare and mostly found in specific regions of Germany.
Wilprecht is also linked with the surnames Wellprecht, Wilpert, Willporth and Wilborth. These all derive from the same ancestor and likely began as a diminutive of Wilprecht - a name that was likely used to describe someone as small and brave.
Lastly, the surname Willprecht also appears in other languages, such as Dutch, Hungarian, Danish, and Swedish. The variants of the surname in these languages include Wilpers, Wilperts, Wilpregt, and Willprecht.
Overall, the surname Wilprecht is found in many different variations and languages, all of which share a common ancestor.
Famous people with the name Wilprecht
- Carl Wilprecht (1864–1967), chess master from Springfield, Ohio
- Beth Wilprecht, American actress
- Julia Wilprecht, German opera singer
- Paul Wilprecht, American singer and producer
- Mike Wilprecht (born 1964), American actor who has appeared in roles such as Owen in Inheritance (2012) and as Panic in the much sought after film noir Cries of Horror (2015)
- Alan Wilprecht, filmmaker who produced Search for the White Boy (1994), starring Billy Zane and Brooke Shields
- William Wilprecht, German professor of biochemistry and genetics
- Frank Wilprecht (born 1931), American jazz musician and composer
- John Wilprecht, Los Angeles-based sculptor
- Brigitte Wilprecht, German-born soprano singer