Surname Witwer - Meaning and Origin
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Witwer: What does the surname Witwer mean?
The last name Witwer originates from Germany. It is composed of two parts: "wit" (a corruption of "withe") and "wer," which is derived from the Middle High German word "werden," meaning "to become" or "to come into being." Consequently, the last name Witwer likely means "one who became" or "one who came into being." It is also thought to have been a name given to someone who moved to a new area and settled.
Those with this surname can trace their roots back to Germanic tribes, such as the Franks and Saxons, who migrated and settled in Germany during the Middle Ages. The name eventually spread to other parts of Europe, including Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
In the United States, the name Witwer first appeared in the 1890 census. The spelling of the name varied in this census, with the most common variant being Widwer. The descendants of these immigrants are now scattered throughout the United States.
Today, Witwer is still a fairly common name in Germany. It is also popular in other parts of Europe and the Americas, due to immigration and other factors. Those with the last name Witwer tend to be proud of their heritage and family history, which has been forged over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWitwer: Where does the name Witwer come from?
The last name Witwer is mainly found in the United States and Germany. In the United States, the majority of people with the last name Witwer are located in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, the cities with the highest concentrations of individuals with that surname are Allentown, Bethlehem, and Reading. Other states in the US where the last name Witwer is commonly found are Ohio, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
In Germany, the majority of people with the last name Witwer are located in Brandenburg. Brandenburg is a province in the east of Germany near Berlin and the Polish border. Other German states where the last name Witwer is commonly found are Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Saxony.
The last name Witwer has been found in existence since the 18th century. From then onwards, it has been most commonly used in the United States of America and Germany. Throughout the centuries, the spelling of the last name has changed slightly from Weitwer to Whitman to Witwer.
Variations of the surname Witwer
The surname Witwer is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German term "widewer" meaning depends on context, but in most cases it refers to a "widower". Variations of this surname include Widwer, Weder, Wedier, Wittwer, Widwer, Wider, Witters, Wieder, Vitter, Wiedner, Veitwer, Witwers, Vetters, Witwers, Vytters, Vytter, Wotier, Wieders, Wiedre, Vyttere, Wadner, Vetterse, Vitters and Vitterse.
In some cases, especially in the United States, people of German descent may have had their surnames Anglicized as Whitmore or Whitmore, while variations of the same spelling make up the names of Witmore or Whittemore. In some instances a similar sounding (German) pronunciation may have been changed to its English or similair sounding equivalent such as Withrow or Whitham.
Other variants such as Wiederhold, Weder, Wederke, Wederland, Wederlein, and Wederschon can also be traced back to the same origin.
Spellings may vary depending on the region and country. For instance, the German spelling of Wittwer may be rendered as Wittvogel in South Tyrol or Wittwerker in Austria. Another example is the spelling of Widwers in the city of Elberfeld, Germany. Similarly, the French spelling of the surname is usually spelt as Weider.
In some countries, like the United States, variations of Witwer may have been registered as Vitte, Wytee, Wyte, Wythe or Withe. As for the spelling of the surname in other countries, for instance in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, South Africa, and Canada, the surname may also have been transcribed as Vittoe, Vite, Vice, Vitals, Vidal, Vitool, Vishte, White, Wijte of Wydte.
Overall, the surname Witwer has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations change depending on country, region, and language of origin. For instance, the Dutch variant may vary from Wijte, Witte, or Wyte while German variations may include Wittvogel, Wederke, or Widwers. It is important to note that the various spellings of Witwer originates from the same root word and has the same meaning, depending on context.
Famous people with the name Witwer
- Sam Witwer: an American actor, voice actor, and musician most known for his roles in the Syfy series Being Human, Smallville, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
- Mark Witwer: an American professor and editor specializing in Renaissance Literature.
- Earl Witwer: an American actor and singer best known for voicing the villains in the post-World War II American radio series, King Leonardo and His Short Subjects.
- Emily Witwer: an American writer, director, and actress, known for her work on Veep and Nathan for You among other television shows and films.
- Daniel Witwer: an American graphic designer, illustrator, and fine artist whose work has been featured in magazines such as Sports Illustrated and The New Yorker.
- John Witwer: an American politician who currently serves on the Maryland Senate representing District 8 in Montgomery County.
- E. O. Witwer: an American artist, educator, and writer best known for his mural work and book illustrations.
- Drew Witwer: an American professional golfer, known for his consistent performances in the Web.com Tour.
- Gary Witwer: an American stage, television, and film actor who has starred in over 25 productions in New York and Los Angeles.
- Matt Witwer: an American composer, arranger, and producer of contemporary electronic music.