Surname Dittewich - Meaning and Origin

Dittewich: What does the surname Dittewich mean?

The last name Dittewich is believed to have originated in Germany, however its true origin is largely unknown. There are several versions of the name that originate from the first name "Ditte", female form of Conrad or Dietrich.

The name Dittewich is also thought to have originally been spelled "Diteweger," referring to someone from a place called "Diteveger." This could have been a village or a small settlement in Germany. It is also believed to be derived from the Arabic word “diddehwec” which means “valley.”

The name generally referenced a person who hailed from the city of Tiefwiese, meaning “deep valley.” This name was then incorporated into a family name.

The variations of the family name included Dyterwigger, Ditterwigger, Ditterer, and Ditewegge, which were common in regions of Germany like Prussia and Bavaria.

Throughout history, the name has served as an aid to distinguish family members from one another and to keep track of the ancestral line. It has also been said to carry a certain pride of the family's ancestry.

It is unclear whether people who share the same family name are related. In some cases, the popularity of the name could be a result of convergence rather than a shared ancestry.

Today, people with the last name Dittewich, are predominantly found in the United States and Canada, with a handful in Germany, England, and Australia.

Dittewich: Where does the name Dittewich come from?

The last name Dittewich is most commonly found today in the United States, Canada, and Germany. In the United States, the highest concentrations are in the western half of the country, particularly California, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon, followed by Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. In Canada, the most common concentration is in British Columbia, followed by Saskatchewan and Alberta. In Germany, the Dittewich name originated in the medieval city of Gilserberg in Hesse, where records indicate the family living there since the 1400s.

The earliest known recorded ancestor of the Dittewich surname was Dietrich der Öffel, a 14th-century farmer living in Gilserberg, Hesse. From that point, the family gradually spread out over the centuries, first to other areas of Germany, then to the United States and Canada during the 19th century.

The last name Dittewich is an Anglicanized spelling of the German name "Dittewich", which means "little one". Notable bearers of the last name include Jay B. Dittewich (1935-2009), an American physiotherapist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Marc Dittewich (b. 1967), a Trumpet Artist from Detroit, Michigan.

The Dittewich surname is still very common in the areas where its original holders settled and continues to be passed down by them through generations.

Variations of the surname Dittewich

The surname Dittewich has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include:

Dittewich – This is the most common and traditional spelling of the surname. It is believed to have originated from the Germanic words meaning “ditch” and “wick,” as in the village of the same name in eastern Germany.

Dittewig – This is another variation of the name that is typically used in northern Germany.

Ditteeve – This is the Dutch spelling of the surname. It is often seen when looking at records from the Dutch East Indies.

Dittee – This is a rare variation of the surname found some times in Europe.

Dietewick/Dietzwick – This variation is often found on US immigration records as it was easier for immigrants to pronounce.

Dittwech/Dittwich/Ditwech – These are all minor variations of the Dittewich surname.

Ditzweig – This is also another minor variation of the name that is commonly seen in Germany.

Givenchy – This is an interesting name variation that has its own roots. Givenchy is believed to have come from the House of Givenchy, a noble family in France. It is possible some members of the house chose to adopt the name as a variation of Dittewich.

The surname Dittewich is quite a rare one, but with the many alternate spellings and variations, there are a few people still bearing this name today.

Famous people with the name Dittewich

• Jennifer Ditewig: an actress known for roles in the shows Scrubs and Whitney as well as the films Rosalie Blum and The Voices.
• Mike Ditewig: a professional bassist who has worked with many popular rock bands, such as Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Bush.
• Jeff Ditewig: a professional NFL football player who played for the Cincinnati Bengals in the 80s.
• Eric Ditewig: a professional ice hockey player who played for teams in the International Hockey League, American Hockey League, and NCAA Division I.
• Diane Ditewig: an acclaimed fashion and costume designer for the award-winning films Little Fockers and Ocean's Thirteen, as well as David Fincher's The Social Network.
• Harry Ditewig: a successful artist whose work consists of painting and sculpture. His work has been featured in prominent museums across the United States.
• Traci Ditewig: a popular country singer-songwriter who's most notable for penning the chart-topping songs “Manhattan Drive” and “Just As I Am Yourself.”
• Mandy Ditewig: an interior designer and decorator who has made appearances on several popular home design shows, such as HGTV's Design Star.
• Forrest Ditewig: a Hollywood stuntman who has performed stunts in multiple blockbuster films, such as Jurassic Park III, Spiderman, and The Amazing Spiderman.
• Cameron Ditewig: a professional race car driver who has won multiple championships on the NASCAR circuit.

Other surnames

Dittewig