Surname Wichards - Meaning and Origin
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Wichards: What does the surname Wichards mean?
The surname Wichards is believed to have either Germanic or Norse origins. The name is derived from the word "wicher," which means a person who is sharp-minded, clever, or wise. This likely originated from the Old Norse word "víkarr," which means the same thing.
The name Wichards might also have derived from the Anglo-Saxon word "wicker," meaning "rudderman"—someone who steered a boat. This likely originated from the Old English word "wiccere," related to the Old Norse "víkarr" mentioned previously.
Throughout history, many families have taken on the surname Wichards; hence the variations in spelling. These variations include Wixard, Wicker, Wicher, Wickher, Wickerd, Wigard, Wijards, and Wychard.
Today, the surname Wichards represents a family steeped in history and tradition. Those who carry the name Wichards are strong, wise, and sharp-minded individuals who know how to push past the challenges of life. Whether from Germanic, Norse, or Anglo-Saxon roots, the Wichards family stands strong.
Order DNA origin analysisWichards: Where does the name Wichards come from?
The last name Wichards is most commonly found in the United States today. It is mostly concentrated in California, followed by other states such as Ohio, New York, and Texas. There have been records of the Wichards family in America since the early 1800s, when a Peter Wichards is known to have immigrated from Germany or Switzerland. The name is of German or Swiss origin, with Wicht meaning "watchman" or "hunter" and aards being a diminutive suffix.
The Wichards name is also present in some parts of Europe and Canada. In Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, Germany, and countries in the Spanish-speaking Americas, it is more commonly spelled as "Wijards." Canada has a few connected families, mainly from the Ontario area, where the name is pronounced as "Wikards."
The Wichards family tree holds a number of famous figures. In the US, Congressman Bill Wichards served the state of California from 1857 to 1861. Actors Harry Wichards and Lawrence Wichards also hail from the family, and so does professional FIFA player Jorge Wichards from El Salvador.
No matter where the name has spread, the Wichards family has certainly made its mark on history with its proud and diverse ancestry.
Variations of the surname Wichards
The surname Wichards is believed to have originated from France during the early medieval period. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin vary from country to country. In general, the surname can be spelt as Wichards, Wyckards, Wickards, Wicards, Whykards, Wicar, Wicker, Wycker, Wykar, and Wickerd.
The meaning of the surname Wichards can be traced back to the Old French word 'wicker', which means 'bendable'. This suggests that individuals with the last name were likely to have been involved in the trade of wicker furniture and items.
In the United States, the Wichards surname is also spelt as Wickard, Wichard, Wickarde, Wickert, Wyckoff, Wickerts, Wickeroth, and Wickerd. In England, the surname is alternatively spelt as Wyckard, Wickard, Wickards, Wickers, Wicker, Wykar, Wyker, Wickerd, Wichard, Wykard, and Wickerd.
The other countries in which Wichards is also used, but spelt differently, include Canada, Australia, and Germany, where it is also spelt as Wicker, Wicklard, Wickbush, Weicker, Wieker, Wickaerdt, Weckart, Weikard, and Wychard, respectively.
The variant spellings of Wichards represent the phonetic variations of spoken language of different countries throughout the centuries. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, English words were often commonly spelt in different ways and this is the reason for why variant spellings of the Wichards surname exist.
Famous people with the name Wichards
- Brad Wichards: former baseball player and current analyst for the Seattle Mariners.
- Brett Wichards: Professional Soccer Player, currently playing for the Miami Fusion.
- Jason Wichards: Former ice hockey player and current analyst for the New Jersey Devils.
- Joe Wichards: Professional Stand-up Comedian.
- Nick Wichards: Professional Off-road Racer.
- Rich Wichards: Professional Golfer and TV Host.
- Steve Wichards: Professional Bull Rider and Disciplinary Rodeo Judge.
- Tom Wichards: Underwater explorer and National Geographic explorer.
- Norm Wichards: Former football player and Publicist for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Gary Wichards: former NFL player and assistant coach.
- Richard Wichards: Professional Ski Jumper.
- Paul Wichards: Former US Trial Lawyer and President of the American Bar Association.
- Steve Wichards: NBA Broadcaster and Analyst for the Miami Heat.
- Eric Wichards: Professional MMA fighter.
- Alice Wichards: Fashion Designer.
- Gabriel Wichards: Film Director.
- Charles Wichards: Social Media Influencer.