Surname Wickhiser - Meaning and Origin
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Wickhiser: What does the surname Wickhiser mean?
The last name Wickhiser is of English origin and was historically found among people who lived in Lincolnshire, England. The name means "dweller of the wick." A wick is a piece of cloth or other material that is typically used for holding burning oil in lamps, candles or other forms of illumination.
The Wickhiser name likely came from a nickname that was possessed by a distant ancestor. In the past, people often received nicknames based on their profession, physical features or personal characteristics. It is possible that the Wickhiser ancestor was someone who dealt with wicks, such as a lamp-maker or a candle-maker.
The Wickhiser surname is relatively uncommon; it is estimated that there are less than 500 people in the United States with the Wickhiser last name. Today, individuals with the Wickhiser surname are likely descendents of the original Wickhiser family that resided in England. They likely split off into smaller clusters over time as people moved to different countries or states in search of better opportunities and lives.
Order DNA origin analysisWickhiser: Where does the name Wickhiser come from?
The last name Wickhiser is most commonly found in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 estimates, there were 1,051 people in the U.S. with the surname, living in all 50 states.
Pennsylvania has the highest number of Wickhiser's, with 360 individuals living in the state. Ohio has the most next with about 120 people, followed by New York (90), California (80), and Virginia (60).
Outside the US, the most common place to find the Wickhiser name is Canada, where there are about 115 people living in the country. The majority reside in Ontario (around 90) with some in Alberta and British Columbia.
There are also smaller clusters of Wickhiser's living in Germany, New Zealand, Australia, and the Netherlands.
The Wickhiser name is most closely associated with Amish and Mennonite communities in the United States. The majority of people with this name living in Pennsylvania are found in Lancaster County, where many Amish and Mennonites reside.
Given the small numbers of Wickhiser's spread out around the world, it is likely that people with this name are distant relatives. Nevertheless, with the help of records, historical searches, and DNA testing, it is possible for Wickhiser's to trace their heritage and uncover an interesting family history.
Variations of the surname Wickhiser
The surname Wickhiser is a German surname that comes from the Old High German term “wicking” or “wicken” which translates to mean “fighter” or “warrior” and in some instances “archer”. It is quite rare and believed to have originated in Bavaria at some point during the Middle Ages.
Variants of the Wickhiser surname include Wickiser, Wickeser, Weckiser, Weckhiser, Weckeser, Weighiser, Weightziser, Weigt, Weit, and Weaga.
This same family name can also have alternate spellings that depend on the region and language. For example, Vecheser, Wikser, Wichser, Vixser, and Witser are all spellings in different areas.
Surnames derived from Wickhiser also include Wicks, Wick, Wichers, Wicker, and Wykes. These surnames could be derived as a result of changed spelling over time or from the fact that so many variants and spellings of the surname existed.
In the U.S., the surname is most numerous in Pennsylvania. It can also be found in other states such as Michigan, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.
Famous people with the name Wickhiser
- Howard Wickhiser: Early American fur trader and surveyor, known for founding the town of Wickhiser, Pennsylvania in 1801.
- David Wickhiser: American mathematician and cryptanalyst who specialized in cryptography during World War II.
- Mark Wickhiser: American writer and editor, best known for his non-fiction books about the history of American politics and culture.
- Josh Wickhiser: American actor best known for his roles in the films ‘Me, Myself and Irene’, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’, ‘The Longest Yard’ and ‘The Nice Guys’.
- Michael Wickhiser: American chef and food blogger best known for his blog ‘Michael’s Wicked Eats’ and his cookbook ‘Cooking Without Limits’.
- Terri Wickhiser: American interior designer and television personality, known for her work on the HGTV series ‘Design Star’.
- Jessica Wickhiser: American animal lover and philanthropist who is committed to rescuing and rehabilitating animals in need.
- Susie Wickhiser: American model known for her work in high fashion magazines and runway shows.
- Neil Wickhiser: American football coach and administrator, best known for coaching the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks from 2005-2008.
- William Wickhiser: American orthodontist and inventor of a retainer device that is used to better align the teeth and give patients a more aesthetically pleasing smile.