Surname Wygandt - Meaning and Origin

Wygandt: What does the surname Wygandt mean?

The last name Wygandt is believed to be of German origin, with roots in the ancient North Germanic language of Old Norse. It is an occupational surname derived from the word "Vegandr," meaning a wagon driver or mover of goods. The name can also be translated from Old Norse to mean "fighter of the road," suggesting a person who was strong in spirit, willing and able to travel far distances to find work and provide for their family.

The name Wygandt has commonly been found throughout the Rhineland region of Germany, and is now a fairly dispersed surname in countries around the world. In the United States, the early immigrants with this surname primarily settled in Pennsylvania and other eastern states. Many descendants with this surname have been found in the Midwest and Southern states, as well as along the western coast.

The German form of the name Wygandt is typically spelled as Wiegandt, and in that region, the name has been found to primarily be used as a Christian or baptismal name since the 1500s. It is thought to have served as a symbol of strength, courage, and the spirit to endure the long and difficult journey of immigration. Whether they are descended from noble warriors or determined travelers, the name Wygandt is sure to be found in many family trees throughout different countries.

Wygandt: Where does the name Wygandt come from?

The last name Wygandt is a fairly common last name in the United States today. It is most often found in the Midwestern and Eastern states of America. It is especially concentrated in the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio where it is the 106th and 490th most common surname respectively.

The origin of Wygandt is German. It is derived from the medieval given name Wigand, and is thought to have been taken to the U.S. by German immigrants. The name is an occupational last name, indicating that its earliest bearers were likely traders, merchants, or craftsmen.

The Wygandt family tree is believed to have begun in the mid-1700s in Pennsylvania. Its earliest known ancestor is Johann George Wygandt, a German immigrant who arrived in the area around 1757. From there, subsequent generations of Wygandts spread to other areas of the country such as Ohio, Maryland, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

The Wygandt name is still widely found in Pennsylvania and throughout the U.S. today. Notable contemporary bearers of the name include American musician and composer Andy Wygandt, soccer player Ronnie Wygandt, entrepreneur Mark Wygandt, and NASCAR driver Steve Wygandt.

Variations of the surname Wygandt

The Wygandt surname is derived from the German and Scandinavian surname “Wygand” and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

Examples of variant spellings include Wigand, Wygant, Wiegand, Wieghand, and Wyght. Variant spellings do exist in Poland, and some may have these different spellings because of the changing of the letters “g” and “h” back and forth in the written language.

The surname Wygandt also has many surnames of the same origin, which can be found in both the German and Swedish language. Variants in Germany include Wiechand, Wiegandt, Wyghon, and Weygand, while the Swedish variants include Wiehiland, Weighland, Weiland, and Weiling.

In the United States, the Wygandt surname can also be found as Wigbine, Wiggen, Wyegin, and Wygintin. One of the more common variants found in the United States is Wygint. It is believed this variant was derived from Glyndt, which is a translation of the original German spelling of Wygand.

Finally, the surname Wygandt is also found in the Netherlands, where it is spelled as either Weygant or Weijgant.

In conclusion, the Wygandt surname has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Wigand, Wygant, Wiegand, Wieghand, Wyght, Wiechand, Wiegandt, Wyghon, Weygand, Wiehiland, Weighland, Weiland, Weiling, Wigbine, Wiggen, Wyegin, Wygintin, and Wygint in Germany, Sweden, and the United States. In the Netherlands, the surname Wygandt has the variants of Weygant and Weijgant.

Famous people with the name Wygandt

• William Wygandt: American actor who is most known for his role in the Netflix series, Unbelievable.
• Joseph Wygandt: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and playwright who wrote the play, I'm Not Rappaport.
• John Wygandt: American artist and sculptor who premiered his work at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York City.
• Ryan Wygandt: American fashion designer and former CEO and president of the Zac Posen fashion label.
• Tracy Wygandt: American trial lawyer, specializing in civil, criminal, and family law.
• Jill Wygandt: British journalist and broadcaster best known for her work as a correspondent for the BBC.
• Ken Wygandt: Australian politician and diplomat who served as a member of the WA Legislative Assembly from 1969 to 1980.
• Drew Wygandt: American writer and producer, currently working on the NBC series, This Is Us.
• David Wygandt: Canadian pianist and music educator who is the founding director of the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program.
• Sallie Wygandt: American entrepreneur and businesswoman who is the founder and CEO of the health and wellness platform, Mother Nature's Grocer.

Other surnames

WygandWygant