Surname Wedekinn - Meaning and Origin
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Wedekinn: What does the surname Wedekinn mean?
The last name Wedekinn is of German origins and is derived from the personal name Widukind, meaning ‘wood or forest child’. This last name was mainly used by immigrants from northern Germany in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the US.
These immigrants were mainly associated with the German immigrant community. People with the surname Wedekinn were primarily professionals, such as artisans, craftsmen, carpenters, and blacksmiths. Others held occupations as ministers, clerks, farmers, and merchants.
The origins of the surname Wedekinn can also be traced back to the Middle Ages. Wedekinn was a common surname among noble families during the 16th century. At that time, Wedekinn was used in the sense of clan or house and was distinctively attributed to members of knightly lineages.
The surname Wedekinn was borne by numerous people over the centuries and has become a symbol of German heritage and identity. It indicates a strong connection to Germany's culture and heritage, as well as the courage and ambition of those who moved to the United States with the ambition of a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisWedekinn: Where does the name Wedekinn come from?
The last name Wedekinn is a relatively rare name today, but it can still be found scattered around rather small pockets of areas in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The earliest known record of the name appeared in Brandenburg-Preuβen in 1641.
In Germany, the Wedekinn name appears to be most common in the eastern region of Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt. This could be due to a large number of families originally from Brandenburg-Preuβen settling in this area after the Thirty Years’ War in 1648. In Switzerland, it can also be found widely in the Canton of St. Gallen.
Due to migration of people to different regions in the 19th and 20th century, the name Wedekinn can now also be found in the United States and in Canada. It is thought that the majority of migration happened through Prussian and American Lutheran churches.
Based on records, the Wedekinn name was used by a large number of people particularly in Brandenburg-Preuβen in the 1600s and 1700s. Family members dispersed across the world, ultimately making the name less common. Here in the 21st century, the name is uncommon, but its origin story remains interesting and meaningful to the handful of still existent families.
Variations of the surname Wedekinn
Wedekinn is a surname originating from the Germanic language. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for this name include Wedeking, VedeKING, VedeKINGH, VETEking, VEDEKyG, Wedekink, Wedekinck, Wettikin and Wedig.
Wedeking, VedeKING, VedeKINGH and VETEking are all derived from the Old German language and mean ‘king or ruler’ or ‘to govern’. This surname is thought to have been used to indicate the head of a family.
VEDEKyG is a further variant of the Wedekinn surname and is also derived from the Old German language. This variant translates to mean ‘the power of the king’.
Wedekink and Wedekinck are similar spellings found in the German and Dutch languages. These spellings both translate to mean ‘the kin of the king’ or ‘descendant of the king’.
Wettikin and Wedig is another variant of Wedekinn. These two variants are thought to mean ‘victory’ or ‘triumphant’ which again could imply a head of a family.
In conclusion, Wedekinn is a surname of Germanic origin which has many variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin including Wedeking, VedeKING, VedeKINGH, VETEking, VEDEKyG, Wedekink, Wedekinck, Wettikin and Wedig. With many of these variants having meanings linked to being the head of a family or descendant of the king, Wedekinn is a unique and interesting surname.
Famous people with the name Wedekinn
- Peter Wedekind: German film director and scriptwriter.
- Anna Wedekind: German curling world champion from 2014.
- Martin Wedekind: German professional beach volleyballer.
- Herwig Wedekind: German journalist and news anchor.
- Elke Wedekind: German astrophysicist and professor.
- Reinhard Wedekind: German physicist and institute director.
- Günther Wedekind: East German politician.
- Frank Wedekind: German playwright and poet.
- Christoph Wedekind: German bacteriologist and professor.
- Detlef Wedekind: German track athlete and Olympic medalist.
- Wolfgang Wedekind: German classical philologist and professor.
- Michael Wedekind: German musician, composer, arranger, and producer.
- Jürgen Wedekind: German film actor.
- Harald Wedekind: German journalist, writer, and radio host.
- Merja Wedekind: Finnish politician and minister of Finland.
- Olaf Wedekind: German football manager and coach.
- Axel Wedekind: German-American film director, cinematographer, and producer.
- Björn Wedekind: German mathematician and professor.
- Lutz Wedekind: German musicologist, author, and film professor.
- Jörg Wedekind: German modern pentathlete and Olympic medalist.