Surname Wowerath - Meaning and Origin
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Wowerath: What does the surname Wowerath mean?
The last name Wowerath is derived from a Germanic root, most likely from the old Germanic personal name Wigō. This name was derived from the Proto-Germanic *wigwaz, meaning “warrior” or “fighter.” This surname was most likely borne by a warrior-class noble in the Middle Ages.
Variations of this name include Wowerat, Wöwerath, Wöwrath, Woerat, and Wöwrat. Over time, the name has evolved, with Wowerat being the most common adaptation.
The original root word, “wig” or “wigō” also gives the modern form of the name Wig and its related forms- Wigr, Wigner, Wigand, and Wigley.
The name Wowerath has been borne by a family of German nobility, who were active in Bavaria since the twelfth century. The family had a coat of arms with a black, stylized depiction of a human figure carrying a lance.
The name is still found in many parts of the world, from Germany and Austria to the United States. It is particularly common among German-American immigrants, and is sometimes also seen as a variant of German corner farm names, derived from the German word wigger meaning “corn”. Wowerath is also seen in Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisWowerath: Where does the name Wowerath come from?
The last name Wowerath is of German origin and is not a common last name in the United States today. However, it does appear relatively frequently in Germany and other parts of Europe. In Germany, Wowerath is more often spelled “Wöwerath” but the pronunciation is the same.
Wowerath is a German occupational name, derived from the old German words ' woer ', meaning 'weaver', and ' rad ', meaning 'council'. It is likely that it was a name taken by a weaver who was a leader in his local community, or was appointed to a number of different positions in a weavers guild.
In the 1880s, Wowerath immigrants began to leave Germany and settle in the United States and Canada. It is also known to have been established in the UK around the same time. Today, it is found mainly in the USA, particularly the Midwest.
Though it is not an especially common name today, Wowerath is still found in German speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Additionally, there are some scattered Woweraths in the Netherlands (particularly in the western part) and the Scandinavia.
At present, the Wowerath surname is not particularly common, but does appear with a bit more regularity among Americans with German heritage.
Variations of the surname Wowerath
The surname Wowerath is of German origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Woerth, Woerthner, Woerther, Worath, Wehrth, Wehrhaupt, Wehrhahn, Wehrung, Werthen, Wärther, and Wurthner.
Woerth is the most common spelling of the surname and is derived from the place name Wöhr, taken from an old German word meaning “fortified.” Wowerath is a variant of this spelling, and it likely began as an alternate spelling of the original surname by individuals who wanted to differentiate themselves from others with the same name.
Woerthner is a variation of Woerth, and this spelling indicates that the family originated from the place of Woerthner. The surname “Wehrth” has the same meaning, but it often derived from the Old German word meaning “protection” or “shield.” Wehrung and Wehrhaupt likely derived from Old German words meaning “defense” and “head of the defenses” respectively.
Wärther is another variant, and this spelling is derived from the Old German word meaning “to be near.” The Woerther and Wurthner spellings are derived from the Old German word wurth, meaning “care” or “protection.”
Ultimately, all variants, spellings, and surnames related to Wowerath have the same German origin and share a common etymological source.
Famous people with the name Wowerath
- Brooke Wowerath: Youtuber and social media influencer
- Max Wowerath: German fitness model
- Walter Wowerath: German landscape photographer
- Jennifer Wowerath: American Director of Academy Programs at National Equity Project
- Rosemarie Wowerath: American teacher and metal artist
- Donna Wowerath: Irish businesswoman and political adviser
- Kenneth Wowerath: American attorney and former mayor of Dunellen, NJ
- Charles Wowerath: American Army veteran and volunteer firefighter
- Tom Wowerath: American baseball pitcher
- Connie Wowerath: American author of children’s books