Surname Werde - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Werde: What does the surname Werde mean?
The last name Werde is of German origin. It is a variant of the surname Wiehde, which is derived from the Old High German word 'widu', meaning 'wood'. It was originally used as a topographic name for someone who lived in or near the woods. It is also believed to have come from a nickname for a brave or warrior-like person.
The Werde surname is quite a rare one, but can be found in the south and central parts of Germany as well as in Switzerland, Arizona, and Wisconsin. In the 19th century, many of its members emigrated from Germany to America, where they settled across a wide range of states from Michigan to Oregon.
Today, Werde is most often associated with its German heritage and a longstanding tradition of hard work and resilience. Many of the Werdes that live in America still share a love of adventure and nature. They combine a strong sense of duty towards their family members with an independent spirit, which, when coupled with their willingness to take on new challenges, makes them keepers of an impressive legacy. No matter what form it takes, the Werde family name is one that has endured for centuries and will likely remain a symbol of strength, courage, and loyalty for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisWerde: Where does the name Werde come from?
The last name Werde is most commonly found in Germany. It is a German name, derived from the German word "werden," which translates to "to become." According to the website Forebears, which maps out global surnames, Werde is most prevalent in the territories of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Those with the last name Werde are often found clustered in certain geographical areas of the three countries. In Germany, Werde is most commonly found in the state of Hesse, with the largest population in the city of Wiesbaden. In Austria, records indicate that Werde is mostly concentrated in the state of Lower Austria. In Switzerland, the surname is most frequent in the canton of Bern.
This does not mean, however, that those with the last name Werde only live in these three countries. In recent years, this name has spread across the world, much like other German surnames, due to migration of people from German-speaking countries. Nations such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many others now have their share populations of Werde, albeit in far lower numbers than what is found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
Variations of the surname Werde
The surname Werde is most commonly associated with Germanic families and can be found in records as far back as the 18th century. The most common variants of Werde are Werder, Werdel, Werdle, Wehrde, and Wertde. It can also be seen spelled as Wierde, Vaerde, Vierde, Verde, and Vidre.
The variants of Werde are related to a wide range of similar surnames that have similar origins, such as Verdin, Werdin, Werdinck, Werding, Verding, Fürholtz, Verholtz, and Wehrlitz. Likewise, many variations on the English spelling, Word, can be found as well, including Ward, Wart, Wartt, and Wort.
The initial bearer of the surname Werde is likely to have been an individual who worked in or lived close to a wetland area, or to have lived in the small village of Werda, located near Witten in the Westphalia region of Germany. As the surname spread throughout Europe, various regional variations in spelling began to emerge, likely in response to the changes in pronunciation over the centuries.
Ultimately, the variations, spellings, and surnames derived from Werde reflect the ancient influences of German culture, but also hold evidence of the various regional influences that resulted in the various mutations of the name.
Famous people with the name Werde
- Jeff Werde: An American television writer, producer, and creative executive, most widely known as the Executive Producer of the Entertainment Tonight television news program.
- Sam Werde: an American entrepreneur and early investor in the music streaming industry.
- Meryl Werde: an American television editor with credits on Grey's Anatomy and Brothers and Sisters.
- Frank Werde: a professional American golfer.
- Kari Werde: an American model, fashion designer, and the former Deputy Editor of fashion magazine W.
- Marc Werde: an Architect from the USA.
- Manny Werde: an American figure skater who competed at the 1976 Winter Olympics.
- James Werde: an American artist and sculptor.
- Alex Werde– an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer.
- Micha Werde: a Canadian businessperson and investor.