Surname Wendelin - Meaning and Origin
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Wendelin: What does the surname Wendelin mean?
The surname Wendelin is of German origin and is believed to have derived from the name Wendel. It is generally believed to have originated as a personal name that was derived from the Germanic compound elements "went," meaning “to turn” and “helm,” meaning “helmet” or “protection.” Therefore, the name could have indicated a person who turned a helmet for protection, among other possible meanings.
The surname is found mainly in Germany but can be found throughout Europe in countries such as Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. When looking at its frequency in Europe, Wendelin seems to be particularly concentrated in southern and western Germany. The name is also found in Luxembourg, Poland, and Switzerland.
The name Wendelin may also have been derived from the Old High German “Wandro,” meaning “to wander.” This could have indicated individuals who were wanderers or travelers. This could have been due to them being professional hunters or simply people who moved around to find work.
In the US, the last name Wendelin can be traced back to divisions of Germanic languages and in 1839, there were more than 2,500 people with the last name Wendelin living in the United States. Today, the name’s popularity has declined, but it is still common in some parts of the US.
Overall, the surname Wendelin can be traced back to the Germanic language, representing individuals who were wanderers, hunters, and people who found protection in helmets. It is now one of the many dispersed Germanic families, which still mainly reside in Germany and the US.
Order DNA origin analysisWendelin: Where does the name Wendelin come from?
The last name Wendelin is most commonly seen in northern European countries like Austria and Germany. It originates from an Old Germanic personal name Wendel, derived from a root word meaning “to wander”. Wendelin may have served as an occupational name for a traveling or itinerant worker.
The surname Wendelin is mostly concentrated in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in modern times. It is uncommon in other countries. The popularity of the name in Germany can be traced back to the time of the Franks and Germanic tribes. During the Middle Ages, the last name spread to Austria and other German-speaking regions.
As of 2019, the surname is among the top 150 most popular Germanic surnames in Austria and Germany. The name is especially common in the Austrian states of Bavaria and Styria. It is also fairly common in the southwestern part of Switzerland.
The Wendelin surname continues to be used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today for families descended from the original nomadic tribe. Many descendants now live in other countries, particularly in North America and Australia. In both the United States and Canada, the Wendelin surname is quite rare.
Overall, the Wendelin surname is most commonly found in northern Europe, particularly in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. However, it can also be found in pockets around the world among descendants of the original Germanic tribe.
Variations of the surname Wendelin
Wendelin is a surname of German and Swiss origin. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are as follows:
Variants: Wendelinus, Wendelinnus, Wendleinn
Spellings: Vendelin, Wendelen, Wendelin, Wendeling, Wendelinus, Wendelingus
Surnames of the same origin: Windelein, Windelin, Windeling, Windelius, Windelinus
The oldest documented form of the name, Wendelin, stems from the personal name "Wendel", which is derived from the Germanic element "wint" meaning "to wander". It was common among medieval Germanic societies for names to be changed when individuals moved to a different area or upon entering a new profession. Therefore, it is likely that many people today have 'Wendelin' ancestors who adopted other surnames or variant spellings of the name once they settled or changed their profession.
The Wendelin surname is found in Switzerland, Germany, South America, and elsewhere. Its numerous variant forms, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, may have slightly different connotations in different regions. For example, in South America, the name Wendelin signifies a "gallant spirit".
The surname Wendelin is still used today around the world; however, many of its variant forms, spelling, and surnames of the same origin have long been extinguished by migration, intermarriage, and other forms of assimilation.
Famous people with the name Wendelin
- Leo Wendelin (1890-1961), German dramatist, essayist and critic.
- John Thomas Wendelin (1848-1931), American dairy farmer and politician.
- Dieter Wendelin (born 1958), German physicist and astronomer.
- Hans Wendelin (1889-1966), German military officer.
- Richard Wendelin (1732-1798), German Jesuit and philosopher.
- Anneliese Wendelin (1908-1972), German writer and journalist.
- Christian Wendelin (1579-1641), German composer and lutenist.
- Christoph Wendelin (1633-1696), German organist and composer.
- Kate Wendelin (born 1969), American screenwriter and producer.
- Victor Wendelin (1877-1943), Luxembourgian artist and sculptor.