Surname Wissinger - Meaning and Origin

Wissinger: What does the surname Wissinger mean?

The surname Wissinger is of German origin and is derived from the word “wesen” which means “being” in English. This surname can be traced to Northern and Central Germany, and some of its first bearers were found in Lower Saxony. This name became popular as a variant of the German name “Wiesinger” which meant “wood cutter”.

The name usually denoted either someone from the village of Wissingen or someone who had settled there. It was at this location that people with this last name were known to have lived.

In the Modern Age, Wissinger became a fashionable surname as many families with this last name migrated to other parts of Germany, the United States, and Canada. Wissinger was also a common name among Jewish families who lived in Germany during the early 20th century.

Today, Wissinger is used by many throughout the world, and the bearers of this name are proud of their German heritage. To them, the surname symbolizes hard work and resilience, as it was traditionally associated with those professions which required great effort and dedication. It is also a reminder of their past, reminding them of their roots and reminding them of the journey that their ancestors had to take in order to go down in history.

Wissinger: Where does the name Wissinger come from?

The last name Wissinger is most commonly found in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Wissinger ranks 3,571 in terms of surname popularity in the United States. This places Wissinger within the top 0.0006 percent of all surnames in the United States.

Numerous regional variations of the Wissinger name can be found across the United States. In 2010 the most common locations of residences with the Wissinger surname were Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, California, Illinois, Michigan, and New York. These eight states accounted for 59.4 percent of all Wissinger households in the United States.

As of 2016, the Pennsylvania township of Blandburg had the highest concentration of Wissinger's, with close to 21 households carrying the name. Blandburg is located in Cambria County, in the central portion of Pennsylvania. Other areas of high concentrations of Wissinger' include Wittenberg, Wisconsin which had 7 households with the name in 2016, and Clay County, Texas which had 6 households.

The name Wissinger may be of German or Swiss origin. Its multiple spellings throughout the centuries have a common thread. The surname appears as Wysinger, Wiszinger, and Wisener in variations of European records.

Today, Wissinger remains relatively uncommon. However, the surname is still in use around the world, and especially throughout the United States.

Variations of the surname Wissinger

The surname Wissinger is most commonly found in Germany, and its variants and spellings can be quite varied. Depending on the region and time period of origin, variants of the surname might include Wiseninger, Wiszinger, Weisinger, Wislinger, and Whissinger. German surnames are often spelled differently today than when they were first derived.

When exploring Wissinger’s German origin, it’s important to note that pre-1700s German spelling varied significantly due to the lack of standardised rules and the strong regional influence. In fact, some of the common variations outlined above point to the potential of a Franconian, Bavarian, Silesian, or Austrian origin depending on the spelling used.

Furthermore, Wissinger may be the Anglicised version of a foreign name, and tracing the name back to its original form may help to uncover variations in its spelling. For example, Wissinger may originate from the Slavic Vysoký, meaning ‘high’, whereby the English form ‘Wissinger’ was derived from both the Germanic and Slavic forms of the name.

Variants of the Wissinger surname beyond Germany may also arise from a similar concept of spelling Anglicisation. In America, for example, the name would likely become ‘Wessing’ or ‘Weissing’ with immigrants to the country who may have used these variant spellings to more easily fit in with the country’s culture. Similarly, in some cases, families may have taken on the ‘Wissinger’ spelling after arriving in a new home as a reminder of their origin.

Famous people with the name Wissinger

• David Wissinger: David is a professional football player for several teams, such as the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams. He currently plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Steve Wissinger: Steve is a professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Colorado Rockies for five seasons before being released in 2010.
• Emma Wissinger: Emma is an actress who is mostly known for her role in the television show, "True Blood". She has also appeared on the television show, "Friends".
• Jackson Wissinger: Jackson is an actor who is most known for his role in the television show, "The Flash". He also appeared in the movie, "Warcraft".
• Kyle Wissinger: Kyle is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the Washington Wizards. He was drafted in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft.
• Elizabeth Wissinger: Elizabeth is an accomplished author who has written several novels and short stories. Her books include, "The Magician's Apprentice" and "A Most Cunning Plan".
• Joshua Wissinger: Joshua is a professional golfer who has won several tournaments and is currently playing on the PGA Tour.
• Mark Wissinger: Mark is a musician who is best known for his work with the alternative rock band, "The Dears". He is the lead singer and guitarist for the band.
• George Wissinger: George is an Olympic medalist who won gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in men’s track and field.
• Gregory Wissinger: Gregory is an art curator and museum director. He currently serves as the executive director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

Other surnames

Wissing