Surname Wichartz - Meaning and Origin
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Wichartz: What does the surname Wichartz mean?
The last name Wichartz is of German origin and has a few possible variations including Wichertz, Wichardt, Wichert, Witchertz and others. It is derived from the Middle High German word "wîh," meaning "will" or "protection," combined with "artz," meaning "people."
Given this etymology, the surname is thought to have begun as a descriptive nickname for someone believed to be blessed with or providing spiritual protection. Alternatively, it may have originally designated a person living near a spiritual place or been borrowed from a place name featuring the elements in its name.
In some cases, the surname can also be an Americanized form of the Ashkenazic Jewish surname, "Visharts," derived from the word "vizharncn" meaning "cabinetmaker."
Today, the surname Wichartz is most prominent in the country of Germany, where it has been recorded since as early as the 1400s. Variations of this surname appear in the records of many countries around the world, possibly due to migration throughout the centuries.
The Wichartz name is both uncommon and elusive; however, its presence can be found in databanks that include genealogical information. Researchers often use these sources to find out more about their ancestors and their family history.
Order DNA origin analysisWichartz: Where does the name Wichartz come from?
The last name Wichartz can be found scattered in small communities throughout Germany today. It is not a particularly common last name - only about 1,150 people currently bear it in the country. The states with the highest population of Wichartz are in Rhineland-Palatinate, followed by the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Saarland. It can also be found in small numbers in the states of Lower Saxony, Hesse, and Thuringia.
The surname Wichartz is derived from the Middle High German personal name Wichert, which in turn is derived from the Old Saxon personal name Wigard meaning "War Warrior”. The name could also be derived from a shortened form of the Old High German name Wichoimperaht meaning “bold or brave warrior”. Both names imply that the original holders of this surname were fierce warriors of high standing.
Outside of modern day Germany, the last name Wichartz can also be found in scattered communities in the United States, Australia, and Canada. In the United States, it is especially commonly found in the Midwest states of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Today, the last name Wichartz is no longer associated with fierce warriors or nobility. It is just an uncommon last name that people with German ancestry commonly carry.
Variations of the surname Wichartz
The surname Wichartz is derived from the Middle High German word wīch meaning cottage or hamlet. This surname is also known by various other spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin, such as Wichart, Wichhard, Wichert, Wichard, Wichartt, Wickard, Wichters, Wihart, Wiechert, Wigard, and Wijers.
The Americanized version of this surname is Wickard. A variation of Wickard is the name Wickart, which is more common in North America. The names Wichocki, Wicht, and Witschock are other variations of the surname Wichartz, found in Germany and other parts of Central Europe.
Wichartz is also used as a given name. In some regions, certain members of extended families or specific local populations adopted Wichartz as a given name.
The Polish surnames of Wichurski, Wichrzak, Wichrowski, Wichrzycki, and Wychrzak are derivatives of Wichartz. The Hungarian Wíchrácz is also a variation of this surname.
A variation that is found in certain regions of Switzerland is Wicht, which has its roots in the Middle High German word wîch, meaning ‘shepherd’ or ‘herdsman’. The variation Wichen is used in The Netherlands.
Wickert and Weickard are the more modern variations of the surname Wichartz, found in Germany, the United States, and other parts of Europe, and are believed to have originated from the Middle High German word wīkert.
The surname Wichartz is found throughout Europe, North America, and Australia, in areas populated by German speakers, particularly families with a rural background.
Famous people with the name Wichartz
- Christian Wichartz: Former Hollywood production worker and executive
- Heinz Wichartz: Former German international footballer
- Andrei Wichartz: Former Danish video game developer
- Johannes Wichartz: German professor of civil engineering
- Gerhard Wichartz: German painter
- Klaus Wichartz: Former Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz
- Richard Wichartz: Author and professor of German literature
- Bernhard Wichartz: German energy industry magnate
- Rolf Wichartz: Former Swiss cross-country skier
- Gowinda Wichartz: German actress