Surname Wannewitz - Meaning and Origin
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Wannewitz: What does the surname Wannewitz mean?
The surname Wannewitz is a variant spelling of Wanevitz, which is a Germanic name that likely originated in the former Monarchy of Saxony in what is now Germany. It could have been derived from the Old German compound word "Wannewiga," which means "preparing for battle," or it could be a variant of "Wanevig," or "fighting against Wanes," an old Germanic personal name.
The suffix "-witz" or -wits", is a Germanic name ending which is often associated with localities and habitational names. It denotes a place as "belonging to or ruled by" the family named. In the context of Wannewitz, the suffix may signify that the family is longstanding and prosperous in their homeland, as well as hinting at a certain level of military prowess. This notion is further supported by the earlier form of Wanevig, a name depicting a warrior heritage.
Today, the surname is quite common in Germany and other countries, and there are many possible variants such as Wannewits, Wanewitz, Wanevitz, and Wannevitz. In the United States, its immigrant variants are primarily found in and around cities along the eastern seaboard where German immigrants settled in the mid-1800s.
Order DNA origin analysisWannewitz: Where does the name Wannewitz come from?
The last name Wannewitz is most common in eastern Germany, primarily in the region of Saxony between Leipzig and Dresden. It is estimated there may be more than 2,500 people with this name living in Germany today. The name is derived from the local area of Wannewitz, which is in the municipality of Wiedemar in Saxony.
The name can also be found in various other parts of Europe, with records of kilometres with this last name living in Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
In the United States, the name is much less common, as most of the records of this last name come from people who immigrated to the US in the mid-1800s. As a result, it is difficult to trace how wide-spread the name is today within the US. However, records in the 2000 US Census indicated there were only 126 families with Wannewitz as their last name living in the US at the time.
Throughout the world, it is likely there are no more than 5,000 people with the last name Wannewitz, indicating that the name is far from common. The majority of those with the name likely still live in Germany or parts of Europe, likely concentrated around the region of Saxony.
Variations of the surname Wannewitz
The surname Wannewitz is a German locational surname of Slavic origin, referencing a place in what is now western Germany. It may be spelled in several forms, all of which have the same origin. These include Wannewitz, Wannewitsch, Wannewits, and Wannewitsche. The double-‘t’ variant, Wannewitts, may also appear occasionally.
The variants of the surname from emigration to other countries may also vary, based on local traditions in the receiving country. In the United States, for example, the surname is most often spelled Wannewit, while in Australia and Canada, the spelling Wannewitzes is most common.
The various spellings of this surname are typically derived from local dialectical variations or represent attempts to phonetically spell the name in different tongues. Even after emigration, spellings of the surname may evolve over time to better suit the language of the adopted country.
Surnames with similar originating places or related clans may also have the same origin as Wannewitz. These would include such surnames as Wannewitzke, Wannewitzky, Wonnevitz, Vannewitz, and Vannevits. All of these may be assumed to have the same origin and meaning as the surname Wannewitz.
Famous people with the name Wannewitz
- Wilhelm Wannewitz (1845-1901), German-Canadian theologian who wrote a multi-volume work on the history of the Christian Church.
- Max Wannewitz (1833-1885), German politician who served as a member of the Prussian Chamber of Deputies and the Prussian State Council.
- Abe Wannewitz (1870-1951), American film director who worked on silent films such as "Cupid: An Idyll" and "Her Love Affair".
- Karl Wannewitz (1885-1978), German designer of airships and aircraft engines who invented airships such as the Zeppelin III.
- Fred Wannewitz (1877-1935), American municipality judge who also served as mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana.
- Becky Wannewitz (1868-1949), American civil rights activist and leader of the Black Women's Suffrage Movement.
- Richard Wannewitz (1920-1985), German classical and baroque organ performer and composer who wrote organ works such as "Organ Concerto" and "Organ Variations".
- Charles Wannewitz (1862-1917), American politician who served as mayor of Toledo, Ohio from 1909 to 1911.
- Jessie Wannewitz (1893-1943), American aviator who was the first American woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.
- Lucinda Wannewitz (1830-1915), British actress and socialite who hosted parties attended by members of London's creative elite.