Surname Weigeldt - Meaning and Origin
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Weigeldt: What does the surname Weigeldt mean?
The last name Weigeldt is of German origin, derived from the Old German word "wiga," meaning "warrior." This surname was likely adopted by a family of warriors who fought in Medieval Europe.
In the Middle Ages, when surnames began to be used, surnames were usually derived from the father’s name, occupation, or place of origin. The Weigeldt surname is believed to come from a family of warriors, with the first recorded use having been around the 13th century.
Throughout the centuries since, families with the Weigeldt surname have spread across Europe. It is most commonly associated with Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
The Weigeldt surname is known to be quite rare; but it has been and still is prominent in certain regions. It is typical of Germanic surnames, since the patronymic system was used in German-speaking Europe for a long time.
Overall, the Weigeldt surname reflects a proud history of warrior ancestry. It also symbolizes countless centuries of shared culture and tradition among European- Germans, Dutch, and many others who have adopted it over time.
Order DNA origin analysisWeigeldt: Where does the name Weigeldt come from?
The last name Weigeldt is most commonly found today in Germany, although it does appear in other countries as well. In Germany, the name has a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages, when it was an occupational name referring to a farmer. It has since become a surname used by numerous families across the country.
The Weigeldt name is also found in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, although it is much rarer than in Germany. Records show that several Weigeldts immigrated to the United States between the 1800s and mid-1900s and were primarily of German and Dutch descent.
In the United States, the highest concentration of Weigeldts is in Texas, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois. The name is also spread across other states with smaller populations. For instance, in Canada, there is one family in Ottawa and another in British Columbia.
Today, Weigeldt is a relatively rare name. However, the internet can help you connect with other Weigeldts, particularly if you join genealogy forums. You can also search for entries in public records such as census records, city directories, or birth records. Doing so could help you to discover your family’s past and connect with distant relatives.
Variations of the surname Weigeldt
The surname Weigeldt is a variation of the German name Weigel, which appears in many variations throughout Europe, including Weigelt, Weigel, Weigle, Weygel, and Weigelt. The name likely originates from the Middle High German term “wigele,” which from regions near the Rhine River meant “valley” or “meadow.” The name is also derived from the old Germanic word “weggi,” which means “path” or “way.” Alternatively, the name may come from the German term “waegel” which is likely related to the old German name “Wagener.” In Germany, the name is most popular in the states of Bavaria and Saxony.
The spelling variant “Weigel” is the most popular form of this surname, often appearing in the United States and Germany. The Weigel variation is seen in its many other spellings throughout Europe, such as Weigle in regions near the Swiss border, Weygel in areas close to the Czech Republic, and Weigelt being an alternate spelling in Germany.
Another variant of the surname is “Vigelt,” which appears to be a common form of the name in some parts of northern Germany. This variation could be a combination of the words “weigel” and “vigeltru Vanlig,” which is a form of Old High German meaning “protector.” Additionally, other variations of the name that appear in Europe include Waegener, Waeglein, Vieglet, Weigli, Weygutsch, and Weggli.
Surnames related to the Weigeldt also appear in North America, including the Anglicized spellings of Wygel and Weagel. Other related names in the United States are Vagel, Weigel-Gill, and Weigle-Gill.
In summary, the surname Weigeldt appears in multiple variants and spellings throughout Europe including Weigel, Weigle, Weygel, Vigelt, Waegener, Waeglein, Vieglet, Weigli, Weygutsch, and Weggli. In North America, the name is sometimes Anglicized to Wygel, Weagel, Vagel, Weigel-Gill, or Weigle-Gill. The name likely has its roots in Old High German, either coming from the word “valley” or “meadow” or from the Germanic term “way.”
Famous people with the name Weigeldt
- Hugo Weigeldt: German librarian, educator and art historian who was the director of the Frankfurt City Library.
- Axel Weigeldt: German rugby player who represented the Germany national team.
- Doug Weigeldt: American professional golfer who had two PGA Tour wins throughout his career.
- Peter Weigeldt: German entrepreneur and former CEO of the SolarWorld AG.
- Lily Weigeldt: British actress who appeared in the television series Doctors.
- Tonio Weigeldt: German football coach and current head coach of Holstein Kiel.
- Michael Weigeldt: German professor of translation studies who currently teaches at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
- Bianca Weigeldt: German field hockey player who represented Germany in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Christoph Weigeldt: German football midfielder who played for Hertha BSC.
- Johanna Weigeldt: German actress and television presenter who hosts the show Die Welt der Wunder.