Wielandts History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Wielandts

What does the name Wielandts mean?

Bavaria, Germany is the original homeland of the Wielandts family. Wielandts is a patronymic name, a type of surname that derived from the given name of the father of the original bearer. Wielandts was derived from a Germanic personal name that is composed of the elements wig, which means war, and land, which means territory or land. The popularity of the name Wielandts is due to the fact that it was borne by the supernaturally skilled smith of a folk legend. It is also for this reason that the name Wielandts was applied as a nickname to smiths.

Early Origins of the Wielandts family

The surname Wielandts was first found in Bavaria, where the name was seen in the mediaeval period as one of the notable families of the region. From the 13th century the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of Europe. They were also found in the northern regions: Meister Wiland was the builder (1333) of the Peter-Paul church in Liegnitz, Silesia. The name Wieland was also famous through the legend of Wieland der Schmied, the most artful of all black smiths. Indeed, chronicles mention an actual "Wieland der Schmied" in Freiburg in 1341. Other chronicles mention Konrad Wielant of Esslingen in 1301, and Mathias Weland of Greifswald, Pomerania, in 1374.

Early History of the Wielandts family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wielandts research. Another 160 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1605, 1663, 1733, 1763, 1810, 1813 and 1849 are included under the topic Early Wielandts History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wielandts 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 Wielandts include Wieland, Wielandt, Wiland, Wielant, Weland and many more.

Early Notables of the Wielandts family

Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wielandts Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wielandts family

European migration to North America began in the mid-17th century and continued unabated until the mid-20th. Many Bavarians made the long trip to escape poverty or persecution based on their religious beliefs. The chance for tenant farmers to own their own land was also a major drawing card. They settled all across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many came to Canada also, settling in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Wielandtss to arrive in North America, and among them were: Conrad Wieland and his wife Anna Engeler, who came to Carolina or Pennsylvania with their four children in 1734; Marte Wieland came to Philadelphia in 1772.