Surname Wedekin - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wedekin: What does the surname Wedekin mean?
The last name Wedekin is a German-language occupational name primarily found in northwest Germany. It is derived from the German word wedege, meaning 'fish-merchant.' It likely originated in the 16th century when fish-merchants started to use it as a designation for their trade.
The surname Wedekin is typically found in two variants; Wedekind and Wadekind. It could also be found in mass spelling variations including Wedekyn, Wedeckin, Wiedeking, Wedeken and Wedeking. The surname is documented in records from 1820 to 1940, and can also be found in records from the Netherlands, England and elsewhere in Europe.
The Wedekin family is thought to have originated from a small village in East Frisia known as Wedde, as well as several small towns in the same region. They were known for their carpentry skills, and their trade eventually spread to America with some of the immigrants from this region.
Wedekin today is a rare surname, found in records in Germany, the United States and the Netherlands. It is still a recognisable last name in the region of East Frisia, and can be found in some areas of America. For example, it is recorded in the US Census Bureau’s 2010 American Community Survey, indicating that there are still some individuals with this surname today.
Order DNA origin analysisWedekin: Where does the name Wedekin come from?
The last name Wedekin is thought to originate in Germany, so it is common there and in other German-speaking parts of Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, and some parts of the Czech Republic.
The name has spread around the world over the years, but is not particularly common outside of German-speaking countries. A search of the US Census Bureau reveals that there are fewer than 2000 people with the surname in the United States.
In recent years, Wedekin has grown more and more prevalent in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Peru and the Dominican Republic, as many people with German ancestry have emigrated there. There is also a small but growing population of Wedekins in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
Wedekin is also found among communities of Germans who began emigrating to Israel during the 19th century.
Though the Wedekin name is not particularly common outside of German-speaking countries, it has spread far and wide enough that there is now a global network of Wedekins, with family members spread across the globe.
Variations of the surname Wedekin
The surname Wedekin is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word "weda(c)kon" which means "guardian" or "protector". Wedekin is most often seen in its original spelling, but there are a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Variants of Wedekin include the shorter Wodka, Wodeke, and Wedeken. Alternate spellings of these variants are Wodka, Wodeke, and Wedeken.
Other surnames of the same origin include Wedecke, Wedeking, Wedekind, Wedeler, Wedde, Wedekamp, Weddel, Wadke, and Wedge. Spellings of these other surnames include Wedppe, Weddeking, Weddekind, Wedderler, Weded, Wedepkamp, Wettell, Waddke, and Weddge.
The average lifespan of the Wedekin surname is relatively short, as it only dates back to the late 1500s. It has become relatively common over the centuries, with people bearing the surname of Wedekin, Wodka, or other variations living in areas across Germany, the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Wedekin
- Matt Wedekind: U. S. Senator from Nebraska
- Robert Wedekind: British television producer and executive
- Hans Wedekind: German equestrian and Olympian
- John Wedekin: American football coach
- Frank Wedekind: German poet and playwright
- Liv Wedekind: Danish actress
- Kirsten Wedekind: American singer-songwriter
- Johanne Wedekind: Danish film actress
- Hugo Wedekind: German politician
- Paul Wedekind: Swiss entomologist