Surname Wilbert - Meaning and Origin
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Wilbert: What does the surname Wilbert mean?
The surname Wilbert is of German origin and is a combination of two words "wil" meaning "desire" or "will" and "berht" meaning "bright" or "famous." Thus, the overall meaning of the surname Wilbert is "desiring brightness" or "desiring fame." It may also be derived from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements wil, meaning "will" or "desire," and beraht, which meant "bright" or "famous."
The Wilbert family name is thought to have migrated to England and then to America in the 1880s. Records indicate that the first known family bearing the Wilbert surname lived in the Saxon area, which is now part of present-day Germany. The family's ties to the region may date back to the migration of Germanic tribes into the region as early as the 7th century, although the surname is believed to have developed later.
The Wilbert family was later linked to the knights of the Teutonic Order during the Crusades in the 13th century. Around this period, the surname began to spread out across Europe, eventually making its way to the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Today, the Wilbert surname is still a common surname in many countries. It is also found in a variety of spellings, such as Wilburt, Wilburtt and Wilbirte. Those named Wilbert tend to have an independent and determined attitude, as well as a powerfully creative personality. In spite of their ambition and imaginative approach, Wilberts are known for their loyalty and devotion to their families.
Order DNA origin analysisWilbert: Where does the name Wilbert come from?
The last name Wilbert is most commonly found in Germany. According to MyHeritage data, "Wilbert" is an especially popular surname in the states of Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Outside of Germany, "Wilbert" is also commonly found in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States.
In the United States, the name is most popular in the states of North Dakota, Alaska, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Given that those five states are all located in the Upper Midwest, it's likely that the name was brought over by German immigrants to the area.
The name Wilbert appears to be of Germanic origin, and the name likely derived from two Germanic roots, "wil" and "bertha". The first root, "wil", means "will, desire", while the second, "bertha" means "bright one". In other words, "Wilbert" literally means "a bright one who desires".
Overall, the last name Wilbert is relatively widely distributed throughout parts of Europe and the United States, largely due to the immigration of German peoples in past centuries. Wilbert is believed to come from two Germanic roots, and so it is likely that the name will remain prevalent in those areas for years to come.
Variations of the surname Wilbert
The surname Wilbert is believed to originate from two sources - Old Germanic and Old Dutch. It is thought to mean 'will-bright', a combination of the words 'wil' meaning will, and 'berht' meaning bright, or 'the famous one.'
Variants of the surname Wilbert include Wilbrecht, Wilbercht, Wilbret, Wilbredt, Wilbrect, Wilbreech, Wilbrech, Wilbreecht, Wilbrecht, Wilbrechte, and Wilbreek. Sometimes the surname may appear as Wilebert, Wilbertz, Wilburt, Wilborts, Woolbert, or Welbrecht.
In some instances the surname Wilbert may be spelled Wilburt, Wilbortz, Wilburth, Wilburts, Wilpor, Wilbor, Wilbertz, Wilbertts, Wilborts, Wilborg and Wilbrecht.
Spellings can vary from country to country. For example, in the Netherlands the surname is sometimes spelled Wilbertsen, Wilbertson, Wilberson, Wilberson, Wilberen, Wilversen, Wilnessen, Wilvensen, Wilvincen, Wilkins, Wilkingesley, Wilkie, Wilkenson, Wilkinsoy or Wilkerson. In Switzerland the variants are Wilberer, Wilburger, Wilbert, Wilvener, Wilbererth and Wilvenerth.
Surnames of the same origin as Wilbert include Wilken, Wilkin, Wilkerson, Wilkie, Willkenson, Willkinsoy, Wilkins, Wilkingesley, Wilmink, Wilmot, Wilmotts, Wilmon, Wilmont, Wilner. For some families, Wilbert may have been shortened to Wilb, Wilby, Wilbee, Wilbyrne and Wilbaine.
Famous people with the name Wilbert
- Adrian Wilbert: an underground hip-hop artist who has collaborated with many famous rappers.
- Sander Wilbert: a Dutch guitarist and songwriter who has been active since the 1970s.
- Siegfried Wilbert: a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party who currently serves as the mayor of Kaarster See.
- Karin Wilbert: a fashion designer who is well known for her eclectic and colourful designs.
- Jill Wilbert: an American actress who has appeared in films such as Coraline and Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World.
- Bryan Wilbert: a former American professional basketball player who played for the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Klaus Wilbert: a German football player and manager who is best known for his time at Werder Bremen.
- Alfred Wilbert: a professional golfer who is a member of the PGA Tour and the PGA European Tour.
- Pat Wilbert: an American basketball coach who was head coach at Loyola Marymount University for 11 years.
- Tim Wilbert: an American football player who is currently a free agent.