Surname Wiedman - Meaning and Origin
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Wiedman: What does the surname Wiedman mean?
The last name Wiedman is of German origin and is derived from the words 'wieder' or 'widere', meaning 'wide' or 'over', and 'mann' or 'man', meaning 'man'. It is likely that the original bearer of the name was a 'wide man', referring to someone who was tall and broad in stature. It is unclear exactly when the name first came into use, however records from the 17th century mention several men bearing this name, Dating from this time period suggests that the name was used in the early days of German migration, offering an opportunity for German settlers to create a new identity.
The most likely origin of the last name Wiedman is as an occupational name for a woader or an occupational name for a weaver. In feudal times, weavers were important members of the community and it is likely that the original person bearing the name Wiedman was a craftsman, known for their ability to make wide cloth and providing much-needed services to those in the nearby area.
Although the traditional meaning of Wiedman is no longer well known, it can still be found in many modern German culture today. This name is still quite common, especially in German-speaking countries and is known for the character it adds to a family identity. The Wiedman name is an indication of where a family came from and provides interesting insight into the past.
Order DNA origin analysisWiedman: Where does the name Wiedman come from?
The last name Wiedman is not particularly common today, based on the number of people in the United States who have it as a surname. According to a 2020 US census data, there are less than 400 Wiedmans in the US. It is primarily associated with Germanic countries such as Germany, Holland, and Austria, where it is a more commonly found surname. There are currently more than 40,000 people in Germany with the name Wiedman, and nearly 10,000 in Holland and Austria each.
The Wiedman family history likely originates in Germany. The word Wiedman has roots in the Germanic language with the literal meaning of “weedy man.” Historians believe that the name dates back to at least the 10th century and was once given to someone who lived in an area where there was tall grasses or a marsh. Some historians trace the name back to the early 13th century, when it was used to denote a family who lived near a meadow.
The ancestors of the Wiedman family are believed to have settled primarily in Germany, Holland, and Austria prior to the 19th century. During the 20th century, some of the family members emigrated to the United States, Canada, and other countries. Today, the Wiedman name can be found in the US, Canada, Germany, Holland, Austria, and other countries with Germanic ties.
Variations of the surname Wiedman
The surname Wiedman is derived from the German word “wied”, meaning “forest”, and “mann”, meaning “man”. It is an occupational surname, most likely associated with a forest worker or ranger. Variants of the spelling may include Widman, Widmann, Wiedeman, Wiedmann, Weidman, Weidmann, Weideman, and Weidmann.
There are several variations in spelling for this surname, as it has been adapted to fit different countries and cultures throughout Europe. In some countries, such as Poland, the spelling is Widman or Widmann, while in others, such as Austria, it is Wiedeman or Wiedmann. In French-speaking countries, the spelling may be Weidman or Weidmann, while in Swedish-speaking countries, it might be Vedman or Vedmann.
In some cases, the spelling may be combined with other words, such as Wiedmannheim or Widmannbeck, suggesting a specifically family belonging to a particular place or area. Different surnames can also be derived from the same root, such as Wiedemann, Wildman, and Weidemann. Depending on the region, alternate spellings, such as Wiedlemann or Widemann, can also be found.
The origin of the surname Wiedman has been traced to Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, although it is now found around the world, particularly in the United States and Canada. There is a possibility that it also took root in other parts of Europe due to migrations or other historical events.
Famous people with the name Wiedman
- Martin Wiedman, German mathematician
- Hans Wiedman, German musicologist
- Fred Wiedman, German-American photographer
- Denden Wiedman, Australian international cricket umpire
- Darroll Wiedman, former professional American football player
- Richard Wiedman, former professional American basketball player
- Klaus Wiedman, Dutch actor
- David Wiedman, German musician and composer
- Kenneth Wiedman, American artist
- Anders Wiedman, Swedish composer and conductor