Surname Wilking - Meaning and Origin
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Wilking: What does the surname Wilking mean?
The last name Wilking is of Germanic origin. It is a habitational surname derived from a place in Germany by the same name, which in turn is derived from a combination of two German words, Wilke, meaning “willow tree”, and ing, meaning “meadow”. The name is thought to have derived from a settlement that was located near a field full of willow trees.
The earliest recorded mention of the name is of a Wilhelm Wilking, who was recorded in the 1220 census of Bremen, Germany. The name spread across Europe from there, eventually making its way to the US where it is still used today.
People with the last name Wilking are associated with intelligence, creativity, and ambition. They have an eye for detail and are highly organized. Wilkings are known to be passionate people, who can be full of ideas. They are also known for being just and understanding.
The last name Wilking is not particularly common, with less than 2,500 people in the US bearing the name. Despite its rarity, those with the name are sure to recognize the unique traits associated with it.
Order DNA origin analysisWilking: Where does the name Wilking come from?
The last name Wilking appears to be most commonly found in Germany today. The Wilking surname is actually quite rare, with fewer than 100 people worldwide who carry the name. Most Wilkings living in Germany have a clear ancestor who came from the area around present-day Denkingen, Germany. Wilking is a toponymic last name, meaning it derives from a location. It comes from a now uninhabited farming village, Willingen, that used to exist near Denkingen. It is thought that the first Wilking to have taken on the name was a migrant who left his home village to find work elsewhere. The name then passed down through the generations via at least two branches of the Wilking family tree.
Today, Wilkings are found mainly in North Rhine-Westphalia, Berlin and Lower Saxony. There are some Wilkings who have spread further afield, to other parts of Europe, the United States and South America. The family tree of Wilkings today is varied, with the surname transcending all social levels.
The website www.wilking.de is run by a genealogical society that seeks to research the family line of Wilkings. Here, individuals can register their details and search for family connections.
Variations of the surname Wilking
The surname Wilking is one of many variations of the surname Willing, which is of Germanic origin. It is derived from the personal name Wilhelm, which is the German variant of William. This surname started appearing in Germanic countries between the 11th and 13th centuries.
The variations of the surname Willing (and thus Wilking) include Wilkins, Wilkin, Wilkinsen, Willings, Willink, Wilks, Wilke, Wilkes, and Wilcken. These spellings have spread from northern Germany to Anglo-Saxon countries.
The surnames Wilkin and Wilkins often appear in British records as they are a short form of the longer variant Willing. Wilke, Wilkes, and Wilcken, however, are more frequent in Germany and areas with Germanic settlers.
The most common German variant is Willingen, with the Dutch variant being Willemsen or Willemssen. In Russia, some with a variation of the surname Willing use the ending -in, making their surname Willinin, a spelling still used by Russian-Germans today.
Other variants such as Wilken or Wilkens can also be found, particularly in Northern Europe and areas with Dutch-German influences.
Therefore, the surnames Wilking and Willing are just a few of the many variations of the original surname. The variations suggest the surname has spread geographically over the centuries so the number of variants and spellings have multiplied. In spite of that, all variants originated from the same source and serve to affirm the Germanic origins of the Wilking surname.
Famous people with the name Wilking
- Gabe Wilking: Former professional football player who previously played for the Atlanta Falcons and the Dallas Cowboys.
- Krista Wilking: an American actress, who is known for her roles in the Netflix series Sabrina the Teenage Witch and The Fosters.
- Steve Wilking: Founder and CEO of the software company, Alchemy Venture Consulting.
- Bryce Wilking: Influencer and business owner, known for his success in the dorm to dream challenge.
- Kacey Wilking: A former professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury.
- Kolby Wilking: Former professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz.
- Tony Wilking: Guitarist and songwriter, best known as a member of the alternative rock group, Local H.
- Erika Wilking: Former TV-host and reporter.
- Lawrence Wilking: Patent lawyer and inventor, known for his work in patenting and trademarking technology products.
- Brian Wilking: Professional wakeboarder and competitor on the Flow Tour.