Wissmann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The Wissmann surname was a popular Old German personal name (pre-surnames) that meant "of a sharp mind."

Early Origins of the Wissmann family

The surname Wissmann was first found in the regions of northern Germany, where the name could be considered to make a great early contribution to the feudal society of Europe. The name Wachsmann became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the tribal and national conflicts, each group seeking power and status in an ever changing territorial profile. Chronicles first mention Heinrich Wachsmut of Mergthal in 1311. The wandering minstrels Wachsmout von Kuenzich and Wahsmuot von Muelnhusen became renowned in the same period. Another famous bearer of this name was the character Wahsmuot in the "Dietrich Saga," who was the brother of Wolfdietrich.

Early History of the Wissmann family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wissmann research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1715, 1730, 1735, 1816 and 1836 are included under the topic Early Wissmann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wissmann Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Wissmann include Wachsmuth, Wachsmund, Wassmuth, Wasmuth, Wassmann and others.

Early Notables of the Wissmann family

More information is included under the topic Early Wissmann Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wissmann migration to the United States +

Prussia played an extremely influential role in shaping modern German history. It remained a part of Germany until after the Second World War. Prussia was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany. Many Prussians became residents of these new countries after the War, and many migrated to other parts of Germany or Europe, as well as to North America. In the United States, the majority of settlers landed in Philadelphia, and moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Many German settlers also migrated to Canada, particularly to Ontario and the Prairies. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Wissmann were

Wissmann Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Daniel Wissmann, who arrived in New York, NY in 1782 1
Jean Wissmann, who landed in Charles Town, South Carolina in 1782 1

Wissmann Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Joh Carl Wissmann, who arrived in North America in 1832-1849 1
Ernst Wissmann, aged 24, who landed in St Louis, Missouri in 1840 1
Henry S Wissmann, aged 22, who arrived in St Louis, Missouri in 1840 1
William Wissmann, aged 29, who landed in St Louis, Missouri in 1844 1
Wilhelmine Wissmann, aged 34, who arrived in America in 1873 1
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Wissmann (post 1700) +

Matthias Wissmann (b. 1949), German President of the Verband der Automobilindustrie
Hermann Wissmann (1853-1905), German explorer and administrator in Africa, eponym of Wissmann Bay, at the northern tip of Lake Malawi

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)