Surname Widman - Meaning and Origin
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Widman: What does the surname Widman mean?
The last name Widman is a German and Scandinavian patronymic surname. It is derived from the German personal name Widman, which is a diminutive form of the name Widmar or Widmarus, itself a diminutive form of Widukind, which was originally a nickname for a brave or valiant person.
The Scandinavians had different versions of Widman, such as Widmann (also seen in Germany) and Vidon, appearing as Vidis and Vithus in Norway and Vidar in Sweden. The variations of the name are thought to have evolved from the Germanic Widukind to Videlic, and then to the Latinised version Vitellius.
It is likely that the Widman surname refers to the German and Scandinavian origins of the individuals who bore the surname. It is likely that they were people of fitness and strength, both moral and physical, that signified bravery, fortitude and fortification.
In the modern day, Widman is still a popular surname, indicative of the strength and bravery displayed by its ancestors. It is likely that those who bear this surname continue to carry on the quality of courage and strength that characterised the ancestors of this unique name.
Order DNA origin analysisWidman: Where does the name Widman come from?
The last name Widman is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest, with Wisconsin being the state with the highest concentration. It is also found in many other states and countries, such as Canada, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany.
The Widman name is likely of German origin, as it is derived from "wiedmann," meaning a 'man of the meadow' or a 'hunter of the woods.' It is possible that it was also adopted by those of Dutch origin, as similar names had been used in that region as well. Considering its origin, the Wiedmann surname is likely of a rural, agrarian background.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, many people with the Widman name immigrated to the United States, primarily to Wisconsin. Today, Wisconsin still has the highest population of people with the Widman name. Other states with significant populations include Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, California, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania.
Outside the United States, the Widman name is somewhat less common, although it can still be found in Canada, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany.
Variations of the surname Widman
The surname Widman is a patronymic name derived from a given name beginning with “Wid-”, the Old Germanic word for “wood”. Its variants include Widmann, Wiedmann, Wiedemann, Wiedman, Wiede, Wittman, and other similar spellings.
Widman is a German-language surname which originated in Central Europe, particularly Germany, and is derived from the given name Wido. Wido is a Latinized version of the Old High German first name Wido, itself a combination of the words wid, meaning “wood”, and man, meaning “man”.
In other words, the original bearer of the Widman surname was someone who had a connection with the wood in some way or another. The Widman name may have described someone who lived in or owned a woodland area, someone who was employed as a woodsman, or even someone with dark or wood-coloured hair!
The Widman surname can also be found in spellings such as Wedman, Wedmann, and Widmann in Germany as well as Viedemann and Vittman in Austria. In the United States, the Widman surname is also found in many variations, including Wittmann, Wootman, Wiedman, Wiedemann, Whitman, and even Wittman.
The Widman surname is also found in other places, such as Scandinavia (with the spelling Vedman in Sweden, and Vittman or Viedmann in Finland), the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Slovakia (where the surname is spelled Vedman). In Hungary, the Widman surname can also be found as Weidmann.
Famous people with the name Widman
- Björn Widman: Swedish professor of theoretical physics.
- Pelle Widman: Swedish broadcaster and actor.
- Jo Widman: German handball player.
- Jonas Widman: Swedish soccer player.
- Anders Widman: Swedish professional sport shooter.
- Orvar Widman: Swedish composer and pianist.
- Håkan Widman: Swedish photographer and fashion designer.
- Gugge Widman: Swedish biathlete.
- Lars-Erik Widman: Swedish podcaster, writer and artist.
- Elsa Widman: Swedish actress and director.
- Anna Widman: Swedish actress.
- Signe Widman: Swedish civil engineer and mathematician.
- Johan Widman: Swedish museum curator and historian.
- Annelie Widman: Swedish playwright and screenwriter.
- Rolf Widman: Swedish journalist and author.
- Adam Widman: German film producer and director.
- Reinhold Widman: German painter, printmaker and sculptor.
- Irène Widman: French photographer and designer.
- August Widman: Czech sculptor and painter.
- Amelie Widman: German-American musicologist and music historian.