First found in Austria, where the name wingert became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region.

Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: Matthew J. Weingarten, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1796, Jacob Weingard, who settled there in 1751 and Jacob Weingaertner (a very rare form of the name), who arrived in St Clair County, Illinois in 1855