Surname Weidman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Weidman: What does the surname Weidman mean?
The surname Weidman is of German origin. The name is derived from the term “weide”, meaning “meadow”, and “mann”, meaning “man”. The name would have originally applied to someone who lived in or near a meadow, or perhaps to a shepherd who worked in such an area.
The name Weidman is fairly common in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States. Records show that the name first appeared in Germany in the early 1500s. It seems to have spread primarily through a German emigration to America in the mid 1800s.
The Weidmans who immigrated to America tended to settle in communities in Pennsylvania and Ohio. However, the name can now be found across the United States.
Weidman is an occupational surname, and thus associated with a wide variety of occupations. Some Weidmans were farmers, while others were tradesmen such as cabinet makers or carpenters. Today, Weidmans can be found in all manner of professions.
People with the surname Weidman tend to be hardworking, enthusiastic, and determined people who enjoy doing whatever it takes to get the job done. They also tend to be loyal and honest in their dealings with others. If you know a Weidman, chances are they are a reliable person with a strong work ethic.
Order DNA origin analysisWeidman: Where does the name Weidman come from?
The last name Weidman is most commonly found in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, there were 1,062 people with this last name in 2020, the highest concentration being in Michigan.
The Weidman name can be traced back to Germany. Weidman translates to "meadow man" in German, and is believed to have originated in the Rhineland-Palatinate region of western Germany. Even after many generations, the Weidman surname still lives on in the United States. It is believed to have been brought over to the US by German immigrant Johannes Weidman, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738.
Today, the Weidman name is found throughout the country with the most populous states being Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The Weidman name can also be found in Canada, where it was brought over by German settlers in the late 1800s.
The Weidman name continues to live on and is still quite common in the US and Canada. While the majority of the Weidman name holders can be found in the United States and Canada, it is possible to find the surname in other parts of the world including England, Ireland, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Weidman
The surname Weidman is of German origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of Weidman are Widman, Widmann, Weidmann, and Wiedmann. Additionally, the surnames Weidemann, Weideman, Weidele, Weidemeier, and Weidemeyer are also derived from Weidman.
The root of the surname is 'Weid', which is a German word meaning 'meadow' or 'pasture'. Therefore, a Weidman would likely have been someone who tended livestock or worked in a meadow. As it is a common German surname, the spelling and surnames of Weidman have been altered and adapted throughout the centuries and due to changes in language.
Weidman can be found in other countries such as Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands, where the spelling of the surname might be slightly different due to the local language. For instance, in Switzerland the surname might be spelled Weidmann whereas in the Netherlands it may be Weidemeyer. In some parts of Eastern Europe, recording systems during the Medieval era caused some families to change their surname spelling when it was written in Latin. Therefore, Weidman may also be seen as Vidman in some cases.
Given its German origin, a Weidman family could have origins in any of the German-speaking countries, particularly those around Bavaria. The adoption of this surname dates back to the 17th century or before, making it one of the oldest German surnames still in existence today.
Famous people with the name Weidman
- Chris Weidman: Chris Weidman is an American mixed martial artist who fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the former UFC Middleweight Champion and has also competed at light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.
- Michaela Weidman: Michaela Weidman is an American pole vaulter who competed in the 2016 Olympics.
- Erich Weidman: Erich Weidman was an American college basketball player and coach at Louisiana State University.
- Marlen Weidman: Marlen Weidman is an American bodybuilder and figure competitor.
- Will Weidman: Will Weidman is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and illustrator.
- Brian Weidman: Brian Weidman is an American former professional basketball player who played in the ABA.
- JR Weidman: JR Weidman is an American retired professional ice hockey player and youth hockey coach.
- Henry Weidman: Henry Weidman was an American art director and set decorator for television and film.
- Roger Weidman: Roger Weidman is an American director, producer, and photographer.
- Ed Weidman: Ed Weidman is an American former professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball.