Surname Wittjohann - Meaning and Origin
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Wittjohann: What does the surname Wittjohann mean?
The last name Wittjohann originated in Germany and is typically a variation of the surname Wittjohann. In old German, the name can be broken down into two elements, Witt meaning "white" or "bright" and Johann meaning "God is gracious". The name is believed to have originally been a nickname for someone with fair or light-colored hair, eyes, and skin.
The Wittjohann surname is relatively uncommon, with less than 2,000 people living in the United States with the name. It is most prominently found in northern Germany, with the greatest concentration in the state of Lower Saxony. In the United States, the highest concentration is in the state of Pennsylvania, with other populations scattered in New York, California, Washington, and Iowa.
Wittjohann is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the first name of the father of the bearer. It is also sometimes used as an occupational name, being derived from the occupation of the first bearer of the name, such as a miller or tanner. Little else is known about the origin or development of the name.
Wittjohann is a unique name that carries a sense of history and reverence in its sound. The bearer of this name can feel a connection to their German roots and may take pride in their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisWittjohann: Where does the name Wittjohann come from?
The last name Wittjohann is mainly found in Northern Germany today, particularly in the region of Lower Saxony. This area of Germany was previously home to members of the Wittjohann family, who first arrived in the 17th Century. It is believed that they originated from a town in Lower Saxony, near the city of Oldenburg.
Today, Wittjohann is one of the most common surnames in this region of Germany, and the spelling of the name is still recognizable in different parts of the country. It is a relatively common name in the United States, particularly among German Americans.
In the last 100 years, Wittjohann families around the world have played an important role in business and politics. The Wittjohanns have contributed to many businesses, including those of textiles, wines, clothings, and chemical products. Some well-known figures who have the Wittjohann last name include the former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder who was born under the Wittjohann name and the politician and diplomat, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, who served as Minister of Defense from 2009-2011.
In Germany, the Wittjohanns have also been active in teaching, education, and journalism, and some former members of the family are authors, journalists, and academics. The Wittjohann family has been influential in the region and have made a number of important contributions to their local communities and beyond.
Variations of the surname Wittjohann
The surname Wittjohann is of German and Scandinavian origin. There are various spellings and variants of the name, including Wittjohan, Wittjohns, Wittjons, Wittjohans, and Wittjonsen.
The German spelling of Wittjohann is Wittjohann, which is derived from the Middle High German words ‘wite’ and ‘johann’, meaning ‘white’ and ‘man’ or ‘lord’, respectively. This name is often associated with Christian or Jewish religious leaders.
The Scandinavian spelling of Wittjohann is Wittjonsen, which is formed by combining the German ‘Witt’ with the Scandinavian ‘Jonsen’, meaning ‘son of John’.
The various spellings of Wittjohann all refer to similar origins, suggesting that the original Wittjohann family or clan shared a single ancestor in the Middle High German tradition who held a high social status.
Other surnames related to Wittjohann include Witte, Wittekind, Wittfast, Witteman, Wittgen, Wittinger, Wittig, and Wittman. All of these are related to the Middle High German language, suggesting that they have origins in the same region or time period as Wittjohann.
In general, Wittjohann is a very old surname which originated in the Middle High German area and has many variants and spellings. It is often associated with religious leaders, suggesting that the family was of a high social status at one point in their history.
Famous people with the name Wittjohann
- Robert Wittjohann: (born 1992) a German professional footballer who plays as a right back for Eintracht Braunschweig.
- Robert Wittjohann (born 1938) a German classical scholar, writer, translator and professor of classical philology.
- Babette Wittjohann: (born 1972) a German cross-country skier who competed during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
- Astrid Wittjohann (born 1971) a German short track speed skater who competed from 1994 to 1997.
- Finley Wittjohann (born 2002) a German football player who plays as a midfielder for Borussia Dortmund.
- Timo Wittjohann (born 1973) a retired German football midfielder who played for Rot-Weiss Essen.
- Florence Wittjohann: (born 1998) a German ice hockey forward who currently plays for Eisbaren Berlin in the Women's Hockey League (DEL).
- Lena Wittjohann (born 1996) a German volleyball player who plays for Frankfurter VC and the German national team.
- Johannes Wittjohann (born 1975) a German director and screenwriter with several international awards for his work in television and film.
- David Wittjohann (born 1987) a German speed skater who competes internationally for Germany. He is a three-time German allround champion and a seven-time German sprint champion.