Surname Witges - Meaning and Origin

Witges: What does the surname Witges mean?

The last name Witges is of German origin and is derived from the word “witge” meaning willow tree. It likely began as a nickname for someone who lived near a willow tree or who had a particular appreciation for the tree. Over time, it became a surname typically shared by members of the same family in Germany, the Netherlands, and other nearby regions.

The willow tree is often associated with several characteristics, including death, healing, and strong, persistent life. It’s generally seen as a symbol of resilience, renewal, and rebirth, and its branches are also believed to have protective and magical properties. This could explain why the Witges name is so closely tied to the willow and why it has been passed down through the generations.

The Witges surname is found in the United States today, primarily among descendants of German immigrants, and is found almost exclusively in the Midwest. Despite its long history, the origin of the name remains essentially unchanged. It’s a reminder of the strength and resilience of the willow tree, a symbol of hope, renewal, and strength.

Witges: Where does the name Witges come from?

The last name Witges is usually associated with the German-speaking parts of Europe. It appears to be most common in Germany, especially in the southern parts of the country, and in neighboring Austria and Liechtenstein. It is also found in Switzerland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, and France, although it is far less common in these countries.

According to the records of the General Register Office for England and Wales, the last name Witges had an estimated 551 bearers in the UK in 2018. However, this was a significant drop from the 1,578 bearers tallied in 2011, showing a decline in its prevalence in the country.

In the United States, the surname is rare but it is slowly gaining more traction. It is most popular in the New England region (specifically, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). At the turn of the 21st century, it was estimated that there were 790 bearers of the Witges surname in the US.

Given its German origins, the Witges surname is most strongly represented around the country’s German-American enclaves. This includes parts of Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, as well as dozens of other states.

These days, the last name Witges is most common around Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, France, the UK, and the US. With more and more American citizens becoming descendants of German immigrants, its prevalence is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.

Variations of the surname Witges

The surname Witges has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

The surname Witges can be spelled Wiges, Wigge, Wigges, Wygge, Wyges, Wiiges, Wig, Weiges, Wiig, Wieg, Wieges and Weges.

The Dutch variation of the surname Witges is Wiggers. It is also very common among people living in the Netherlands.

In Germany, the variation of the surname Witges is Wiegand, and in the area of Hanover it is spelled Wygand.

The surname Witges has several other German variations as well, such as Wieg, Weigel, Weigand, Vigand and Vigants.

It is also common among Swiss immigrants that the surname Witges is spelled Wiedicht.

In Austria, the surname is commonly spelled as Wittgens, while in Scandinavia it is spelled as Widig, Widicht or Widigtson.

In Hungary, the surname is spelled as Vidig.

The English variation of the surname Witges is Wegges.

The variation of the surname Witges is also common among people living in other European states such as Luxembourg, Belgium and France. In Luxembourg, the surname is spelled Witterl and in France it is written as Viges.

In Scotland, the spelling is Wigston or Wigtoun, while in Ireland, the surname is spelled Wickett.

In the United States, the surname has been anglicised to Wickes.

Regardless of the variation, all these surnames originate from the same root and refer to the family name Witges.

Famous people with the name Witges

• David Witges, German multi-instrumentalist and producer
• Marcel Witges, German professional football player
• Klaus Witges, German aerospace engineer
• Laurent Witges, French freelance journalist
• Leni Witges, German volleyball player
• Marc Witges, Belgian politician
• Pieter Witges, Dutch politician
• Thomas Wutges, German professional football player
• Clemens Witges, German professional football player
• Jérôme Witges, Belgian equestrian
• Lybe Mette Witges, German artist
• Alke Wutges, German volleyball player
• Micha Wutges, German master baker
• Richard Witges, German certified piano builder
• Vera Witges, German speech therapist
• Emile Witges, Belgian farmer
• Jay Wutges, Dutch professional surfer
• Kristin Witges, German author
• Stefan Witges, German tennis player
• Steve Witges, Belgian journalist

Other surnames

WitgenWitgens