Surname Wehnel - Meaning and Origin
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Wehnel: What does the surname Wehnel mean?
The last name Wehnel is of German origin. It is derived from the word “Wehn”, which means “to guard, defend”. Thus, the original bearer of the name likely was someone whose job was to guard or protect something or someone.
The Wehnel family is believed to have originated in the Rhineland Palatinate area of Germany. The earliest record of the name is found in a document dated 1453, when a man by the name of Job Wehnin was mentioned in relation to the von der Leyen family of Bavaria.
Throughout the centuries, the Wehnel name has spread throughout many countries with German immigration. Individuals with the Wehnel last name can be found in Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Wehnel surname has come to symbolize someone who is loyal and protective, like those who originally held the name. They are believed to be strong-willed, determined, and fiercely protective of their family and friends. Loyalty to friends and family, as well as a commitment to one’s own goals, has become synonymous with the name.
Individuals with this surname are often seen as strong, reliable people who will stand by their loved ones no matter what. They are secure in their own beliefs and have a strong sense of identity and purpose. Those named Wehnel are often dreamers who have gone out in search of adventure and are willing to take risks to find success.
Order DNA origin analysisWehnel: Where does the name Wehnel come from?
Today, the last name Wehnel is most commonly found in the United States and Germany. It originated in Germany and was brought to America by German immigrants in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
In the United States, the Wehnel name is frequently spelled Weinle or Wienle. In the US census of 2020, it was estimated that there were 177 individuals with the last name Wehnel living in America. The name is most commonly found in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio, which have large populations of German-American descent.
In Germany, the last name Wehnel is most common in the Northern region of Bavaria. In the 2019 German census, there were 1,615 individuals with this last name living in Germany.
The Wehnel name is prominently seen in other parts of Europe, including Austria, the Czech Republic, and France.
Overall, the Wehnel name is widely seen throughout Europe and in the United States, especially in areas with large populations of German descent.
Variations of the surname Wehnel
The surname Wehnel is a German surname, originating from the Middle High German word "weohhila," which means "breakthrough." Variant spellings of this surname include Wehlnel, Wehnl, Welnel, Wenhle, Wennel, Wenle, Wenl and Wienle.
The Wehnel surname is most commonly found in Germany, with some United States records, too. It is a rare name in the US, but there are a few varying forms in German records which may be an earlier version of the surname. Variants may include Wehner, Wenner, Weinreich, Weinberger, Wener, Weinfeld, Weinkamm, Weit, and Weise.
There are also variations from different spellings of the same word: Wensel, Wenstel, Wehsel, and Wenzel. Many of the Wehnels in the United States changed their surnames to Winters and Wells in order to be more easily accepted.
The Wehnel surname can also be found in variants such as Wensel, Wenstel, Wehsel, Wenzel and others. Wenzel is a variant of the surname, from the Middle High German (MHG), wenzel, which means Hey, You! This surname possibly originates as a nickname for someone who hailed people to get their attention.
The Wehnels pronounced their name with only the “ä” sound, so some families dropped the “e” at the end. For example, a family of Wehnels in Pennsylvania pronounced their name Win-nel instead of Weh-nel but kept it spelled Wehnel.
There may also be variants of the name adapted from the region in which some of its inhabitants settled, such as a combination of the Wehnel surname and the name of their locality, Krügerwehnel. Variants recorded in some geographical areas included Vöhnelt, Wehnelt, and Wehnaas.
Famous people with the name Wehnel
- Nate Wehnel: Professional wakeboarder and founder of the lifestyle brand Wehnel and Co.
- David Wehnel: American musician and artist from the 90s alternative rock scene.
- Marshon Wehnel: Film director and writer known for his films, "One on One" and "We Are the Problem", among others.
- Chelsea Wehnel: Award-winning actress, known for her roles in "Gilmore Girls" and "Californication".
- Roy Wehnel: Professional basketball player who played for the National Basketball Association's Washington Bullets.
- Rodney Wehnel: Singer/songwriter who is best known for his love song, “The Way I Feel About You”.
- Adam Wehnel: Professional dancer and television actor who has starred in numerous musical theater performances, films, and music videos.
- Kristen Wehnel: Professional makeup artist and hairstylist who has been featured in numerous fashion magazines.
- Jean Paul Wehnel: World renowned chef and restaurateur who is the executive head chef at The Ritz Carlton in Chicago.
- Lucas Wehnel: Award winning artist and sculptor who has exhibited all over the world.