Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Wiering

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Wiering?

The surname Wiering is of Dutch origin and comes from a place named "Wieringen," an island in the Netherlands that was separated from the mainland by the former Zuiderzee (now IJsselmeer). The name of the island is derived from "wier" which means "rush" or "reed." Over time, people who lived on or were from Wieringen adopted this place name as their family surname.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Wiering

The meaning and origin of the last name Wiering

The surname Wiering is of Dutch origin, derived from various locations in the Netherlands that bear the same name. The placename "Wiering" is thought to be a topographical name for someone who lived near a marsh or wet area, as it comes from the Old Dutch word "wiering," meaning marshy land or wet meadow. It may also have been an occupational name for a waterman or fisherman, given that 'wier' in Dutch means 'stake' or 'pile,' possibly referring to equipment used in fishing or boat building. The surname Wiering has various spellings and is found in different forms across Europe, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany, due to immigration and name variations over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Wiering

The surname Wiering is primarily concentrated in the Netherlands, where it originates. It is most frequently found in the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe, reflecting its historical roots in the northern regions of the country. Outside the Netherlands, the name has been traced to a few locations in Germany, particularly in the northwestern region bordering the Netherlands. Additionally, there are small numbers of Wierings in other countries with Dutch diaspora communities, such as Belgium, South Africa, Australia, and the United States. The distribution of the name generally reflects historical migration patterns from the Netherlands, particularly during the 17th century when many Dutch settlers emigrated to other parts of Europe and beyond.

Variants and spellings of the last name Wiering

The surname Wiering has several variations and spellings due to different transcription conventions over time and across regions. Some common variations include: Weiring, Wieringen, Wiereing, Weyring, Veering, and Wijering. These variations might stem from slight differences in pronunciation or spelling changes during historical migration events. In Dutch-speaking areas, the name is most commonly pronounced as "Vay-ring," with a long 'a' sound followed by a short 'e.' In English-speaking regions, it may be pronounced as "Wy-er-ing." However, these pronunciations can vary depending on individual speakers and regional dialects.

Famous people with the last name Wiering

Notable individuals with the surname Wiering include:

1. Peter Wieringa (born 1946), Dutch anthropologist and sociologist known for his work on ethnicity, migration, and globalization. He is currently professor emeritus at the University of Amsterdam.

2. Kiki Wieringa (born 1958), a Dutch author who has written several books, including "The Hare with Amber Eyes" and "Five Hundred Years Memories." Her work often explores themes related to family history and art collections.

3. Martijn Wiering (born 1967), a Dutch politician who served as the mayor of Zoetermeer from 2018 to 2022. Prior to that, he held various roles within the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) party.

4. Renske Wieringa (born 1975), a Dutch actress who has appeared in numerous films and television shows since the late 1990s. Some of her notable roles include "Zus & Zo" and "Fleur."

5. Jeroen Wiering (born 1982), a Dutch musician, producer, and DJ known for his work in the electronic music scene under the alias Dirtchamber Sandwich. He has released multiple albums and remixes.

Genealogical research on the last name Wiering

The surname Wiering originates from the Netherlands and is primarily found in the provinces of Groningen and Friesland. Its earliest known occurrence dates back to the 16th century, with records showing Herman Wiering born in 1574 in Groningen. The name is believed to be a topographic surname, derived from the Old Dutch word "wier" meaning "marshy area" or "willow thicket." Over the centuries, various spelling variations have appeared due to differences in transcription and transliteration, including Wieringen, Weiring, and Weerink. The Wiering family migrated to North America during the 19th century, with many settling in Ontario, Canada, while others moved to Michigan and Minnesota in the United States. Today, descendants of the Wiering family can be found worldwide, with significant populations still residing in the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Wieben van deventer

Last name • surnames > wieben-van-deventer

The last name "Wieben van Deventer" has Dutch origins. "Wieben" is a common surname in the Netherlands, while "van Deventer" refers to the city of Deventer, located in the eastern ...

#2 Wieckowski

Last name • surnames > wieckowski

The surname Wieckowski is of Polish and German origin. It is derived from the word "Wiek" meaning 'week' or 'lifetime', and "-owski", a common Slavic surname originating from an oc...

#3 Wieclaw

Last name • surnames > wieclaw

The surname Wieclaw is of Polish origin. It derives from a personal name, Weclaw (a variant of Adalbert), which was popular among Slavic peoples during the Middle Ages. The surname...

#4 Wielenga

Last name • surnames > wielenga

The last name Wielenga is of Dutch origin. It is derived from a combination of the elements "wiel" meaning "wheel" and "enga" which could be a suffix indicating a place or field. T...

#5 Wiem

Last name • surnames > wiem

The last name "Wiem" is of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German personal name "Wigmar," which is composed of the elements "wig," meaning "battle," and "mar," meani...

#6 Wiemer

Last name • surnames > wiemer

The last name "Wiemer" is of German origin. It is derived from a geographical name for someone who lived near a swampy or marshy area. The name originates from the Old High German ...

#7 Wienandts

Last name • surnames > wienandts

The surname "Wienandts" originates in the Netherlands, especially in the region of Flanders, which is currently part of Belgium. This surname is derived from the Germanic name "Win...

#8 Wience

Last name • surnames > wience

The surname "Wience" is believed to have origins in Poland and other Eastern European countries. It is a variant of the Polish surnames "Więcek," "Wieciecki," or "Więciowski." Th...

#9 Wienecke

Last name • surnames > wienecke

The surname "Wienecke" is of German origin. It is a variant of the more common German surname "Weinacht," which means "Christmastide" in English. The name may have been given to so...

#10 Wiener

Last name • surnames > wiener

The surname Wiener is of German and Jewish origin. It translates to "of Viennese" or "from Vienna," referring to a native or inhabitant of Vienna, the capital city of Austria. The ...

#11 Wienstroer

Last name • surnames > wienstroer

The last name Wienstroer is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German "wein" meaning wine and the Old High German "stro(o)r", a type of tree or post. Over time, i...

#12 Wiersma

Last name • surnames > wiersma

The surname Wiersma is of Dutch origin. It is derived from a geographical name, specifically a place name in the Netherlands, possibly referring to various places named "Wierum" or...

#13 Wierzba

Last name • surnames > wierzba

The surname "Wierzba" is of Polish origin. It derives from the word "wierzba," which means "willow" in Polish. This surname was often given to someone who lived near a willow tree ...

#14 Wierzbicki

Last name • surnames > wierzbicki

The last name Wierzbicki is of Polish origin. It is a locational surname derived from the word "wierzba" meaning "willow tree" in Polish. People with this surname may have ancestra...

#15 Wierzchowski

Last name • surnames > wierzchowski

The last name Wierzchowski is of Polish origin. It is derived from the word "wierzchołek", which means "summit" or "peak" in Polish. This surname likely originated as a toponymic ...