Surname Driedger - Meaning and Origin
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Driedger: What does the surname Driedger mean?
The last name Driedger is of German origin and is a Germanized form of the Swiss-Surname Tridger. This name was derived from an old Swiss word meaning "tidings-bringer". Historically, Driedgers were individuals in the early Germanic society who were responsible for bringing news from one town to another. This could include messages and even personal letters sent from one place to another.
The exact origin of the Driedger family is still largely uncertain, although it is believed to have descended from the Rhineland and later spread across the modern-day German-speaking countries. In Switzerland, for instance, the surname is found mainly in the Alsace region and along the border with Germany.
In modern times, the Driedger surname stands for a family that highly values tradition and close family ties. Driedgers are known to be reliable, responsible and hardworking, traits that are deeply embedded in their culture. They are also known for being welcoming and hospitable to friends and visitors, while proudly preserving and maintaining their German heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisDriedger: Where does the name Driedger come from?
The last name Driedger is most commonly found in Canada and the United States. It is of both German and Dutch origin and is derived from the Middle High German term, “drider”. This term is used to refer to a person who lived in the regions along the Rhine River in the late medieval period.
In the United States, the surname Driedger is found in notable numbers among the population of the Midwest states, particularly Wisconsin. The highest concentration is in Wisconsin, the state with the highest population of people bearing the surname Driedger. The highest number of people with the surname is found in The United States overall with over 40,000 people having the surname.
In Canada, the surname is also found among Canadians of German and Dutch heritage. Currently, over 18,000 Canadians also bear the surname Driedger. The highest concentration is in the province of Ontario, with over 15,000 Canadians having the surname Driedger. The other provinces with smaller numbers include Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
Although emigration from Germany and The Netherlands has decreased in recent years, the last name Driedger still can be found throughout the United States and Canada. People of German and Dutch descent often share this surname, and it is more commonly found among those who have maintained their ethnic heritage, although the name has expanded to encompass those not of German and Dutch heritage.
Variations of the surname Driedger
The surname Driedger is of German origin and has several variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. The common spelling is Driedger, but alternative versions, including Drydger, Drydgier, Drydgeer, Drydger, and Drygier, can also be found. In some cases, the surname may also be found spelled with a double “d” as Dridger or Dridgier.
Driedger is the anglicized version of the German surname Dreidger, which was originally derived from the Middle High German word “drīcger”, meaning “dregs” or “slag”. It was likely first used as a surname to refer to someone who worked in a lead smelting business, or who lived or worked near a lead smelting plant.
Other surnames of German origin that are derived from the same root word are Diertger, Drydger, Dreidger, Dryggier, Dryggier, Drygger, Driggeer, and Dreiger. Other related surnames include Dirksger, Driscoll, Drischel, Driscough, Driskill, and Drivall.
The name can also be found in other German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Variations of the surname such as Dreger, Dregger, Dreger, Dreggen, and Drehen can also be found in northern Germany and the Netherlands.
In addition, Drechsler and Drechseler, which both derive from the Middle High German word ‘drechen’, meaning "to turn", can also be found in several countries, and share the same origin as Driedger and its variants.
Famous people with the name Driedger
- Erwin Driedger: Canadian academic and best known for his writings on the sociology of economic behaviour.
- Paul Driedger: Retired Major League Baseball player
- Katie Driedger: Canadian country music artist
- Marcus Driedger: Canadian curler
- Alfred Driedger: Canadian politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
- Jake Driedger: Canadian football player
- Rempel Driedger: Canadian voice actor and singer
- Sheila Driedger: Canadian politician and member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba
- Arnold Driedger: Canadian professor and judge
- Jules Driedger: Austrian conductor and cellist