Surname Wendl - Meaning and Origin
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Wendl: What does the surname Wendl mean?
The last name Wendl is a German variant of the English name Wendell, with both names derived from the Old German name Wendel. Due to its German origin, the last name Wendl is most commonly found in countries where German is the official language, such as Germany and Austria.
The origin of the name is uncertain, with differing theories as to its meaning. Some theories suggest the name may have descended from the Goths and it can be traced to the element 'wend', which means 'to turn' or 'to go'. This may be reference to an ancestor's nomadic lifestyle, with Wendl signifying someone who was constantly 'on the move'.
Another possible interpretation of the surname is that it has a religious origin, derived from the Old German 'windel' which is the word for swaddling cloths or a crib. This was a popular element of Christian names during the Middle Ages and the 'l' on the end of Wendl likely denoted the location of the family.
Although the exact meaning of the name remains unknown, the name carries connotations of agility, movement and mobility - elements which may have been important to the Wendl family ancestors in the Middle Ages, as they moved to different locations and established new homes.
Order DNA origin analysisWendl: Where does the name Wendl come from?
The last name Wendl is most commonly found in Europe, particularly in German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Germany. It is also fairly common in other areas of northern Europe, such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. According to records, Wendl is one of the top 1000 surnames in Germany and is also quite common in other European countries.
The origin of the name Wendl is linked to the German verb “Wenden”, meaning “to turn”. This suggests that it could have been a name given to people who were good at making quick turns and slick maneuvers in a physical activity such as dance or sports. It is also possible that the name was originally an occupational name given to individuals who worked with a wheel or “wendeln”, which is the German word for “weave”.
The Wendl family name is also found in the United States, with a significant number of Wendls in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and minority populations in Florida, California and a few other states.
The last name Wendl is still quite common in Europe but can be found in many other countries around the world. With its interesting history, many Wendls can be proud of their family name.
Variations of the surname Wendl
The surname Wendl is an old German surname with many different spellings and variants throughout the ages. Some of these surname spellings used today are Wende, Wendel, Wendelin, Wendlinger, Venzl, Wendely, Wendell, Wandel, Van der Wende, Wente, Wenzel, and Wental.
In some parts of Europe, the original spelling of Wendl has shifted to Wandl or Vondl. In other areas, the spelling has been modified to Wardley, Winnet, and Wantz. Moreover, there are other similar surnames, such as Wendling, Wendlinger, and Vandling, that also share the same roots. As a result, Wendl is one of a few surnames that has multiple variants and spellings.
The spelling of the surname Wendl has evolved over time due to migration, dialects, and family names becoming changed over generations. In Germany, the family name Wendl (or Vedel) is associated with Bavarian and Franconian regions. In Austria, the surname is most commonly found in Upper Austria and Lower Austria. Moreover, the variations of Wendl, such as Wendel, Wendelin, and Wendell have been particularly popular in the United States.
Overall, the surname Wendl has many different variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin due to migration and changing dialects throughout the centuries.
Famous people with the name Wendl
- Roman Wendl: Austrian politician, volunteered to serve in the military in 1939 and went on to become a long-serving leader of the Austrian Freedom Party
- Andrew Wendl: Australian actor, best known for his roles in the films Wake in Fright (1971) and Muriel's Wedding (1994)
- Richard Wendl: American business executive and head of current fortunes, serves on the boards of several education-related organizations
- Hans Wendl: German mathematician, propagated the development of group theory intensively and created a systematic method for the study of algebra
- Stefanie Wendl: German swimmer, competed in the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics in Women's 4 × 100 m Freestyle Relay
- Karl Wendl: Austrian composer, known for composing music for Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Salzburg Festival
- Ernest Wendl: Canadian humanitarian, WWII army veteran and president of the Jewish Community in Toronto, Canada
- Peter Wendl: Austrian photographer and filmmaker,
- Werner Wendl: German racing driver, competed in the German Formula Three Championship
- Karliska Wendl: Slovakian novelist, recipient of several literary awards