Surname Wehn - Meaning and Origin
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Wehn: What does the surname Wehn mean?
The last name Wehn is a Germanic surname that comes from the Old Norse language. It is thought to have a meaning of “ward” or “guardian” and is most commonly found in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany. It may also have roots in the Old High German word “wehhan” which translates to “to preserve” or “to keep”.
The Wehn surname is believed to have been adopted by families originally from Schleswig-Holstein during the 16th century. People with this surname may have been wardens of Ortschaften (castles or fortresses) or perhaps soldiers, tasked with the responsibility of protecting important people or assets. This is suggested given the translation of the surname’s meaning.
Nowadays, the surname is found predominantly in the northern German states but has also spread to other areas of the country. It has also spread internationally with some people of German descent, who have left Germany and settled around the world, taking the Wehn surname with them.
As a result of its unique historical and geographical roots, the Wehn surname holds a great deal of cultural significance for those with family members bearing this surname. It is a reminder of their shared ancestry and history, and offers a connection to the past.
Order DNA origin analysisWehn: Where does the name Wehn come from?
The last name Wehn is a German surname that is most commonly found within Germany today. It is particularly common in the northern regions of the country, particularly in the cities of Hamburg, Bremen, and Berlin. The surname has spread more widely across the country in recent years as increased travel has enabled people to spread their families and their surnames along the way.
The last name Wehn is not nearly as common outside of Germany, although it has made a few appearances in other countries in Europe, the United States, and Canada. In the US, it is typically found in German immigrant colonies that were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as in Wisconsin. In Canada, the last name Wehn is mainly associated with the province of Alberta.
The last name Wehn has also made appearances in other regions, such as South America. In particular, the name Wehn is closely associated with the country of Brazil. It is believed that the name was brought to the country by an immigrant from Germany during the 19th century.
In spite of its limited spread outside of Germany, the last name Wehn remains particularly common within the country, with an estimated 134,000 people bearing the name across the nation.
Variations of the surname Wehn
The origin of the surname Wehn is Germanic and it is an occupational surname that originated in the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old German given name Wigand, which means “warrior” or “fighter”.
The spelling of the Wehn surname is quite varied, including Wahn, Wain, Waino, Waen, Woen, Wehno, and Wehn.
The most common variant of Wehn is Wain, which is a variant of the original name that was inserted into English. Wehn is an archaic form of Wain and Waino are the modern spellings of this variant.
Variations in spelling accounting for geographic origin include “de Waehn” in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, “Waen” in parts of the British Isles, and “Woehn” in other parts of Europe. Some other basic spellings of Wehn include Wahn, Wahne, Wohn, Won, Wann, Wenne, and Von Wahn.
Variations in spelling might also be indicative of derivation. Common surnames that are derived from Wehn include Waines, Waite, Waynes, Wains, Wehnes, Weijns, Wies and Win. All of these are derived from the original Germanic surname.
Famous people with the name Wehn
- Henry Wehn: Former Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
- Erik Wehn : Danish actor primarily known for his stage work.
- Olive T. Wehn: Notable for being the first nurse in San Francisco to specialize in children's nursing.
- Hans Wehn: Norwegian composer of orchestral and chamber music.
- Wolfgang Wehn: German physicist known for his instrumental role in the development of space technology.
- Henrik Wehn: Swedish politician who served several ministerial posts in the centre-right government of Prime Minister Göran Persson.
- Anne Wehn: Norwegian journalist and non-fiction writer.
- Johann Wehn: 17th Century German organist, composer and teacher.
- Johann Dennis Wehn: 18th Century German artist, theatre director and art theorist.
- Christian Wehn: German middle-distance runner who competed in the 800 metres at the 1896 Summer Olympics.