Surname Wedekemper - Meaning and Origin
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Wedekemper: What does the surname Wedekemper mean?
The last name Wedekemper is of German origin, and means 'Red Comb'. It is thought to originate from the Middle High German 'wedekempe', and derives from the Old German 'wadakampf', which is itself believed to stem from 'wada', meaning 'battle' or 'combat', and 'kampf', meaning 'brave'. This indicates that the original bearer of this name was a brave warrior or fighter, and it is likely that the red comb was a sign of distinction, indicating a notable individual.
The name could have been shortened over the centuries from 'Wadenkampfer' or 'Wadenkemper' to Wedekemper, and variations of the spelling include Wedekaemper, Wedekämper, Wedekomper, Wedekomp, Wedekompe, and Weidekemper.
The name is somewhat rare, with few cases of it being recorded in the United States. In Germany, however, it can be found in several concentrations in Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Bavaria.
It is thought that the Wedekemper family may have its roots in the early Germanic tribes, such as the Franks, Chauci, and Saxons which populated Central Europe in the Middle Ages.
The Wedekemper family coat of arms features a red comb on a black shield, and the slogan read 'Vi ad bellum, an horrible duce' which translates as 'Go to War, with an Horrible Chief'. This military slogan was said to be inspired by the bravery of the original bearer of this name.
Order DNA origin analysisWedekemper: Where does the name Wedekemper come from?
The last name Wedekemper is most common in the Central and Lower regions of Germany, mainly found in the states of Nordrhein-Westfalen and Niedersachsen. It is also found in areas of the Netherlands, particularly Noord-Brabant, Limburg, and Gelderland and in the province of Fryslan. In recent years, Wedekemper emigration has spread the last name to many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, Wedekemper is most common in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. It is also found in states such as Florida, Nevada, Colorado, and Texas. In Australia, the last name generally appears in parts of South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria.
The online genealogy service Ancestry.com provides detailed information about the geographical distribution of the Wedekemper surname. According to their research, the percentage of Wedekmper households in the United States has decreased since 2000, but more recently, the last name has become more common in other countries, temporarily stabilizing its pattern of global distribution.
Variations of the surname Wedekemper
The variants of the surname Wedekemper include Weddikemper, Wadekemper, Weidekemper, Veddikemper, Waedikemper, Weddikempen, Wadekempen, Weidekempen, Veddikempen and Waedikempen.
Wedekemper is a German-American name derived from the old German word "wedekempe," which means a public official responsible for managing the public affairs of an area. In Medieval times, such officials were responsible for issuing judgments on legal or financial matters and collecting payments from citizens.
The surnames Weddikemper and Wadekemper are derived from the same root, while Weidekemper is a variant of the original Wedekemper spelling. Veddikemper and Waedikemper are also variants of the same origin. The "-en" at the end of a name is a commonly used German suffix, and can be found in the surname variants Weddikempen, Wadekempen, Weidekempen, Veddikempen and Waedikempen.
Since the Middle Ages, Wedekemper has been a common surname in Germany. It is believed that the surname spread to the United States in the mid-1700s, when the fell of Prussia created a large influx of German immigrants to the US. The surname Wedekemper is still prominent in the United States today, with most families of Wedekemper descent located in mid-western states such as Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.
Famous people with the name Wedekemper
- Ursula Wedekemper, German sculptor from the early 20th century
- Josephine Wedekemper, German writer
- Amy Wedekemper, American physicist
- Conrad Wedekemper, German-born American artist
- Ruth Wedekemper, Nobel Prize–winning German chemist
- Stephan Wedekemper, German-American 19th-century inventor
- Walther Wedekemper, German mathematician
- Heinz Wedekemper, German politician
- Olivia Wedekemper, German athlete
- Monika Wedekemper, German archaeologist
- Corinna Wedekemper, German banker
- Maike Wedekemper, German journalist
- Robert Wedekemper, German actor and voice actor
- Fanny Wedekemper, German artist and conservationist
- Gregor Wedekemper, German theologian
- Birgit Wedekemper, German physicist
- Urs Wedekemper, Belgian journalist
- Inge Wedekemper, German mathematician
- Sebastian Wedekemper, German actor
- Albrecht Wedekemper, German geologist