Surname Wittenberg - Meaning and Origin

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Venturing into the journey of my DNA with iGENEA brought overwhelming emotions, excitement, anticipation, vulnerability, and empowerment. The reveal of my Ashkenazi Jewish roots and the rich historical significance tied to my surname 'Wittenberg', infuses me with pride, changing the way I perceive and narrate my family history.

E. Wittenberg

Wittenberg: What does the surname Wittenberg mean?

The last name Wittenberg is of French origin meaning “from Wittenberg.” This surname is derived from a placename, which means “white mountain” or “white stronghold” taken from medieval German elements “wit” meaning “white” and “berg” meaning “mountain” or “fortified hill.”

The city of Wittenberg is believed to date back to the 7th century and is situated on the River Elbe in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Its growth in the late Middle Ages was attributed to the success of the local Wittenberg silver coin, which became a widely used currency in Europe. The city is most famously known for its connection with Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. His writings in 1517 sparked the movement which helped to shape a strong religious foundation for Europe and the World.

The Wittenberg name is not common, but can still be found scattered throughout Europe and North America. Those bearing this last name could be direct descendants of people originating in Wittenberg or have ancestry connected to the area. So, those with the Wittenberg last name have a connection to a place associated with centuries of history, including a meaningful religious and cultural revolution.

Wittenberg: Where does the name Wittenberg come from?

The last name Wittenberg is most commonly associated with Central Germany, particularly the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The name itself is derived from the town of Wittenberg, which is located on the Elbe River in the historic region of Saxony. Historically, Wittenberg was the home of the Protestant Reformation and the University of Wittenberg, where the first printed copies of Martin Luther’s writings were published in the early 1500s. As such, the name Wittenberg has become tied to the Protestant Christian religion, with families who take their name from the town of Wittenberg often being of Lutheran faith.

Due to the location and religious ties, Wittenberg is still most commonly associated with German-speaking countries in Europe. However, there has been a significant diaspora of Germanic people and those who take their last name from Wittenberg over the centuries since, causing the name's prevalence in other countries to rise. For example, Wittenberg is now linked with many regions of the United States, particularly Midwestern states including Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. It can also be found throughout Canada, especially in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario.

Overall, while originally associated with Central Germany, the last name Wittenberg is now found consistently across Europe, North America, and beyond, signaling the lasting legacy of the town of Wittenberg.

Variations of the surname Wittenberg

The surname Wittenberg has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, which include Witternberg, Witpernberg, Wittenburg, Wittingberg, Wittinbarge, Wittemberg and Wittembergs. Variants from other countries are Wittemburg (German) and Vittenberg (Polish).

The origin of the surname 'Wittenberg' dates back to the town of Wittenberg in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. Founded by the Polabian Slavs about 1000 years ago, the town was initially called 'Vitinberch'. In the 12th century, it came to be known as 'Woddebus', which later evolved to 'Woddenburc' and eventually to its current version, 'Wittenberg'.

The name Wittenberg is derived from two Germanic terms; 'witti' meaning a settlement and 'berg' (mountain or hill). Hence, Wittenberg is interpreted as 'settlement on a hill'. In medieval times, the town was known as 'Wittenberga', a possessive form of the name.

The surname is fairly popular, especially in Germany, where it can be found in various documents such as baptismal records, marriage documents, census records, and military rosters. It is also reported to be present in other regions such as Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and the United States.

Famous people with the name Wittenberg

• Gina Wittenberg: Actress and screenwriter, known for The Good Place, The Drew Carey Show, and a variety of web series.
• Bart Wittenberg: Ex-U.S. Senator, representing Texas from 1985–1995
• Lee Wittenberg: NFL and AFL Pro Football Coach
• Erik Wittenberg: Vibe Guitarist and founding member of North American rock band BoDeans
• Daryl Wittenberg: Four-time Enterprise World Champion powerlifter
• Jesse Wittenberg: Former host, producer, and writer for VH1
• Amanda Wittenberg: Special Effects Artist on films such as Tron Legacy and John Carter
• Robin Wittenberg: Winner of the Humanitas prizefor her work designing mobile apps for underserved communities
• Matt Wittenberg: Creator and producer of animated series, short movies, and internet videos
• Ryan Wittenberg: Emmy Award-winning cinematographer, photographer, and camera operator

Other surnames

Wittenberger