Surname Wehnsen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wehnsen: What does the surname Wehnsen mean?
The last name Wehnsen is of German origin, and is believed to be derived from the Germanic personal name "Wenzeslaus", which is a combination of the Germanic elements 'wenza', meaning "bold" or "brave", and 'laus' or 'hlaw', which was a Germanic term used to indicate a man of noble status. It has also been suggested that the last name could have derived from a place name; in this case, a combination of the Germanic elements 'we' or 'wa', meaning enclosure, and 'huns', referring to the Huns, a Germanic tribe that inhabited the region in the 4th and 5th centuries. This may suggest that those bearing the name could have been descendants of one of the Huns tribes who once inhabited the Germanic region.
The surname Wehnsen is fairly common in Germany and can be found in its various spelling variations, such as Wehnzen, Wehnsem, Wenzem, Wenem and Wenzensem. It is also encountered in other Germanic countries, including the Netherlands, where it has been documented since at least the 19th century. Records indicate that the name was brought to the United States by early German-speaking immigrants during the 19th century.
Thus, those bearing the last name Wehnsen can trace their roots to a Germanic origin, and are likely descended from a man of noble status or from a Huns tribe.
Order DNA origin analysisWehnsen: Where does the name Wehnsen come from?
Wehnsen is a German surname that is most commonly found in Germany today. It is derived from the village of Wehnsen near Hannover, Lower Saxony, in the German region of Niedersachsen.
Wehnsen is a relatively uncommon surname even in Germany. According to German surname research, the Wehnsen surname had a population of just over 2,000 people at the beginning of the 21st century. This number has been gradually declining over time; in Germany’s most recent census, the Wehnsen population was counted at 1,572 people.
Outside of Germany, the Wehnsen surname is very rare. There are no known occurrences of the name in the United States, England, or the Scandinavian countries. In other parts of Europe, such as France, Austria, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, there are a handful of records indicating the presence of the Wehnsen surname.
Although Wehnsen is a relatively uncommon surname today, there are still a few dozen people living in Germany who have this surname. Therefore, although the Wehnsen name is not widespread, it does still exist in its country of origin.
Variations of the surname Wehnsen
Wehnsen is a German surname of Low German origin. Its variants, spellings, and associated surnames include Wehnsson, Wehnson, Wehendsen, Wehndsen, Wehns, Wehnds, Wehnssen, Wehnss, and Wennssen.
The surname Wehnsen is derived from the Old Saxon word “Wahnds”, which means “descendant”. This surname was likely characterized as an occupational name, attributed to the hereditary title of a farmhand, serf, or farm worker. As the name spread to countries like Germany and Denmark in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it began to take on other spellings and variants.
The surname Wehnsen is primarily found in Germany and Scandinavian countries. It is also found in the Netherlands and the United States. The surnames Wehnsson and Wehnson are predominantly found in Sweden and Norway. There are also variants of Wehnsen found in the Netherlands and the United States—Wehendsen, Wehndsen, Wehns, Wehnds, Wehnssen, Wehnss, and Wennssen.
The origin of the surname “Wehnsen” likely dates back to the medieval period. This surname was likely first used by families of farmers, laborers and servants, particularly in Germany and the Low Countries, as a way to distinguish themselves. As it spread to other areas, the spelling, variants, and associated surnames were likely adapted to fit local naming conventions. Today, the surname is still found in Germany and other countries and continues to be used as a marker of heritage for those with family ties to this name.
Famous people with the name Wehnsen
- Heiko Wehnsen: German psychologist and mental health advocate
- Thorsten Wehnsen: German data scientist and author
- Hans-Joachim Wehnsen: German musicologist
- Niklas Wehnsen: German lawyer and postdoctoral researcher
- Gregor Wehnsen: German former footballer
- Torsten Wehnsen: German economist and university professor
- Peter Wehnsen: German actor
- Erik Wehnsen: Danish pianist and composer
- Lotte Wehnsen: Danish actress and screenwriter
- Beate Wehnsen: German actor and director.