Surname Wittekindt - Meaning and Origin

Wittekindt: What does the surname Wittekindt mean?

The last name Wittekindt is derived from the Germanic word witu, meaning “white”, and kind, meaning “child”. The name literally translates to “white child” in English. It is thought to have first originated as a nickname given to someone with a light or blond complexion.

The surname Wittekindt is found mainly in northern Germany and parts of the Netherlands. It is a fairly uncommon name, with records tracing the earliest uses of it back to the 15th century. The first earliest known record of the name dates back to the 1499 register of Haarveen, at the time a part of the Beedenbostel region.

As is often the case with other ancient names, Wittekindt can be found with numerous variations, from Wittekind and Wittkind to Vittkind and Vittekind. The name is also sometimes confused with Wieting, another Germanic surname believed to be derived from the old Nordic word vita, which also translates to “white” in English.

Wittekindt is thought to have likely descended from northern German and Dutch nobility. Over time, the surname spread to other parts of Europe, and today can be found in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, (former) East Germany, and even North America.

Wittekindt: Where does the name Wittekindt come from?

The surname Wittekindt is primarily a German surname, originating from the personal name Wittekind. The name Wittekind was in use as a personal name in German-speaking regions as early as the 9th century, and thus the surname Wittekindt has been in use since at least that time.

The surname's name bearer, Wittekind, is known as the chief of the Saxons who fought against the Franks during the Saxon Wars in the 8th and 9th centuries. Wittekind eventually became Saint Wittekind, due to his status as a martyr.

Today, the surname Wittekindt is primarily located in northern Germany, particularly in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein, but also occasionally in other parts of the country. There is also a significant presence of the surname in the German diaspora, most notably in the United States and Brazil.

The Wittekindt surname is generally considered to be fairly rare, but it is still found in several small towns and villages in Germany. One of the most notable bearers of the surname today is Bernhard Wittekindt, a former president of the German Soccer Association. As such, the Wittekindt surname endures today, albeit less prominently than it did centuries ago.

Variations of the surname Wittekindt

The Wittekindt surname is a German name derived from the given name Wittekin, which was based on an old German diminutive of Widukind. The original Wittekin is derived from widu, which means wood and kin which means king or family leader. It is a patronymic surname, which means it is derived from the given name of a male ancestor in the family.

The variants, spellings and surnames of Wittekindt include Wittkind and Wittigkind, as well as Witke, Witki, and Widukind. Another spelling of Wittekindt, which is more common outside of Germany, is Whitekind. Variants of Whitekind include Whitekindt, Witekyn, Witekind, Witteking, Witekindt, Whitekin, Whittikin, and Wittekind.

Along with the surname, Wittekindt can also refer to a rare species of butterfly, the Blue Moon. This butterfly is found in Europe and North America and is named after Wittekind due to its orange-brownish color resembling Wittekind’s wilder locks.

The Wittekindt family has been popular beyond Germany and has spread to other countries such as The Netherlands, Italy, Slovakia, the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, and many other countries. As a result, the surname has a number of different spellings, such as Witkop, Vitkopf, & Vitke, Vitko, Vitekin, Viterkin, Vytke, Vitekind, Vitskynt, Vitskynd, and even Weikindt.

In summary, the Wittekindt surname is derived from the German given name Wittekin, and has a number of different variants, spellings and surnames from its origin. These variants and spellings of Wittekindt include Wittkind and Wittigkind, as well as Witke, Witki, and Widukind, Whitekind, Whitekindt, Witekyn, Witekind, Witteking, Witekindt, Whitekin, Whittikin, and Wittekind. Beyond Germany, the surname has spread to other countries such as The Netherlands, Italy, Slovakia, the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, and many other countries. As a result, the surname has variations in spelling, such as Witkop, Vitkopf, Vitko, Vitekin, Viterkin, Vytke, Vitekind, Vitskynt, Vitskynd, and even Weikindt.

Famous people with the name Wittekindt

• Reinhart Wittekindt: a German actor who had roles in films such as Die von der Meserinst and Herr Schuster.
• Margarete Wittekindt: a German artist and author who wrote books such as Sechszehn Silhouetten and Karl Falkenberg und die Liebe.
• Ernst Wittekindt: an Austrian musician and composer known for his works including Opus 7 and Abendstern.
• Hans Helmuth Wittekindt: a German designer and inventor who created inventions such as the Ever-Sharp pencil sharpener.
• Ekkehard Wittekindt: a German soldier who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
• Wolfgang Wittekindt: a German politician who served as a Member of the Bundestag from 1999 to 2002.
• Alfred Wittekindt: a German actor who appeared in films such as Man with the Laughing Face.
• Roman Wittekindt: a German footballer who played for clubs such as SSV Ulm and Eintracht Dortmund.
• Magnus Wittekindt: a German writer who published works such as Der Winter und ich.
• Minna Wittekindt: a German singer and composer known for her songs like “Was willst Du?” and “Mein Herz sagt ja.”

Other surnames

Wittekind