Surname Wiman - Meaning and Origin

Wiman: What does the surname Wiman mean?

The last name Wiman is an occupational surname of German origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German word ‘wîman’, meaning ‘traveller’ or ‘wayfarer’. However, the word itself came from the Old High German ‘wîhamân’, which literally translates to ‘wagon man’ or ‘carriage driver’.

It is believed that the original family who bore the last name Wiman were an itinerant group - travelling tradesmen, perhaps - and the name was therefore given to them in recognition of their roaming habits.

In Germany itself, the name can be traced back to the Palatinate, an area known for its many tradesmen and craftsmen. By the modern era, the spelling of the name had diversified into different forms, such as Wichmann, Weygand, and Weyman.

In terms of other countries, the name became more dispersed. In the UK, for instance, the spelling ‘Wiman’ appears by the mid-19th century, though its exact origins remain unclear. In the United States, a larger tapestry of Wiman surnames have been found, from places such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

While it is impossible to say for certain where the surname originated or how many different families exist, it is likely that the Wiman name remains scattered through multiple regions and countries today. The names’ original link to travel and trade-work clearly still lingers, forming a kind of interesting bridge between different families who have experienced the same journey across time.

Wiman: Where does the name Wiman come from?

The last name Wiman is most commonly found in northern Europe today. In Sweden, the Wiman surname is common in Gotland, Gävleborg, and Uppsala counties. Wiman is also quite common in Finland, especially in southwestern Finland and Uusimaa. Additionally, Wiman can be found in large numbers in Estonia, Iceland, Germany, and Poland.

In the United States, the Wiman last name is much less common than in Europe. It is primarily found in the states of Michigan and Pennsylvania in the Midwest and New England. The city of Baltimore, Maryland also has a high population of individuals with the surname Wiman.

Aside from Europe and the United States, Wiman can also be found in Canada, Australia, and other parts of South America including Mexico and Brazil.

Overall, the origins of the Wiman name remain unknown, and the global distribution of this family name intriques genealogists. With its current distribution across Europe and parts of the U.S., Wiman promises to remain a popular surname for generations to come.

Variations of the surname Wiman

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wiman include Wiman, Wymans, Wyman, Wimmans, Wymmans, and Wymens. All of these spellings are believed to have derived from the Old German personal name “Wigman”, which was a combination of the elements “wig”, which means “battle”, and “man”, which simply means “man”. This name was first seen in Germany as early as the 12th century.

The name first became a surname in the 15th century when people began to take on the name of their father or grandfather as a surname to differentiate themselves from others with the same given name. Over time, different spellings evolved of the surname, and many of those variants, such as Wiman and Wyman, can still be found today.

The original surname was likely Wigman, as this spelling appears in records going back to the Middle Ages. From this, variant soundings were created, such as Wymans, Wymens, Wimmans, and Wymmans.

In the United States, the Wiman surname is most commonly found in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and California. Elsewhere, the surname is primarily found in Canada and in countries in Europe, particularly Germany, England, and France.

Famous people with the name Wiman

• Par Wester Wiman: Swedish jurist and professor
• Olof Wiman: Swedish gymnast and seven-time Olympic medalist
• Elmer J Wiman: American civil engineer and head of New York City’s Board of Water Supply
• Daniel Wiman: Swedish entrepreneur, publisher, and philanthropist
• Svante Wiman: Swedish Navy officer, Rear Admiral
• Ragnar Wiman: Swedish gymnast and gold medalist at the 1906 Summer Olympics
• Ernst Wiman: German physicist and inventor
• Alexander Wiman: Swedish educator and politician
• Sten Wiman: Swedish Meteorology professor and climatologist
• Karin Wiman: Swedish politician and Member of Parliament
• Dolly Wiman: American professional golfer
• Göran Wiman: Swedish chemist and professor
• Erich Wiman: Swedish engineer and politician
• Ingrid Wiman: Swedish radio presenter and journalist
• Yngve Wiman: Swedish ice hockey player and manager

Other surnames

Wimar