Last Name Weigert

Learn more about the origin of the last name Weigert

The meaning and origin of the last name Weigert

The surname Weigert is of German origin, derived from various locations named Weihert or Weitersweiler in present-day Germany. It is an occupational name for a gardener, derived from the Middle High German word "weiher," meaning 'pond' or 'swamp,' and "dwerg" meaning 'dweller.' Alternatively, it may also be a nickname for someone with weasel-like features, as the Middle High German term "weihart" means 'weasel.' Over time, various spelling variations such as Weichert, Veigert, and Wiegert have emerged due to common orthographic changes in different regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Weigert

The surname Weigert has a predominant distribution in Central Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. According to data from FamilySearch, one of the largest genealogy organizations, it is most frequent in these regions due to its historical origins. The name is derived from the Old High German 'Weichard' or 'Wicher', meaning 'powerful spear'. Variations such as Veiger, Weygert, Weyhart, and Wiegert can also be found within these areas. Aside from Central Europe, there are also significant populations of people with the surname Weigert in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa, largely due to migration from Europe during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Weigert

The surname Weigert can have various spellings due to different transliteration methods and regional dialects. Some common variations include: Weygart, Veigert, Wiegart, Weygert, Veygert, and Weigardt. These variations may arise from slight differences in pronunciation or spelling over time. Additionally, the name may also be found with diacritical marks in some languages, such as Weigärt or Veigért. Despite these variations, all of these spellings ultimately originate from the same root surname.

Famous people with the last name Weigert

The Weigert family has produced several notable figures across various fields. One of the most renowned is Wilhelm Weigert, a German bacteriologist who made significant contributions to the field of medical science. He was instrumental in developing a staining method for tissues, known as the Weigert's iron hematoxylin method, which has been widely used in histology for visualizing tissue structures.

In the world of arts and literature, Max Weber-Weber, born Hermann Max Weigert, was a German author and journalist who wrote under the pseudonym Max Weber. He is best known for his works that exposed social injustices during the Nazi regime, including "The Three Organs of Government" and "The Decline of the Bourgeoisie."

Another notable figure is Elisabeth Weigert, a German economist who made significant contributions to the field of labor economics. She was a pioneer in studying gender differences in labor markets and authored numerous influential works on labor supply, earnings inequality, and family economics.

Genealogical research on the last name Weigert

The Weigert surname originates from Germany and is derived from the Middle High German "Weichard" meaning strong or powerful. Early records show that the name was first documented in the region of Swabia, present-day southern Germany, during the High Middle Ages. Notable figures with this surname include Johann Georg Weigert (1794-1852), a German painter and lithographer who worked primarily on religious themes, and Friedrich Albert von Weigert (1834-1903), a German pathologist known for his contributions to histology. The name also spread to other parts of Europe, particularly Eastern Europe due to various historical events such as the Thirty Years' War and later migrations. In North America, records indicate that descendants of the Weigert family arrived in Pennsylvania in the 18th century.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Weigert"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025