Surname Wendland - Meaning and Origin

Finding Identity in DNA: A Personal Journey with iGENEA and the Wendland Surname

Using iGENEA, this individual embarked on a thrilling journey of discovery, that fundamentally deepened their connection to their past and enriched their understanding of their family name, Wendland. The DNA test unveiled a fascinating palette of ethnic origins, tracing roots back to Northern Europe.

U. Wendland

Wendland: What does the surname Wendland mean?

The last name Wendland is believed to be of Germanic origin and is closely related to the German word wenden, which translates to “to turn” or “to return”. It is thought that Wendland was initially worn by individuals who were from the Wendish region of Eastern Europe, which makes up what is now parts of Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

The Wendish region was notoriously difficult for emigrants to leave, so a Wendland bearer may have been someone who made the difficult journey out of the region. It could also be from the Wendish words wenden or wandelan, which mean “to wander” and “to journey” respectively. This suggests that a Wendland bearer may have been somebody who frequently traveled, particularly at a time when journeys were arduous.

Alternatively, Wendland may derive from the Middle High German word wendeloz, meaning “without limit”. In this case, a Wendland bearer may have been somebody who demonstrated ambition and had limitless potential. On a more practical level, it may also have been a descriptive nickname for someone who lived near the boundary of a forest or field.

Whatever its origin, the name Wendland is now found all over the world and is more likely to have been adopted by people who are quite far removed from their Wendish heritage. However, its roots in the stories of a difficult region, wanderlust, and limitless potential remain part of the spirit and legacy of the surname.

Wendland: Where does the name Wendland come from?

The last name Wendland is most commonly found in Germany today. According to Name Berry, Wendland is the 871st most popular name in Germany, with an estimated 2,400 people in the country bearing the name. However, it is likely to be much more widespread throughout the country.

The surname can also be found in countries across the world, particularly areas with large German populations, such as those in South America and North America. In the United States alone, it is estimated that there are more than 4,000 people with the last name Wendland.

The Wendland surname is derived from the word ‘winden’, which translates to ‘to wind’ or ‘to turn’ in German. In early records, it was given to someone who lived in an area surrounded by many hills or winding roads. The Wendlands are believed to be descended from Germanic tribes that settled in Lower Saxony, a state in the northwestern Germany, centuries ago.

Today, the Wendland name is also seen in Denmark, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Australia, and Canada. Though it is generally considered to be quite rare in comparison to other German surnames, it is found at least in some form or other in almost every country in the world.

Variations of the surname Wendland

The surname Wendland has many variants and spellings, which may be determined by individual family histories and where they have originated from.

The most common Wendland variant is Wendelin, which is a German shortening for the surname. Other variants include Wendel, Wendelius, Wendlinger, Wendling, Wendell, Wendelinus, Wendler and Wendellin.

In countries with Germanic influence, Wendland can be spelt as Wändland, Waendland, Waendlin, Waendlinger, or Waendlinus. Furthermore, because of phonetic translation, Wendland may take the form of Vanland, Vändland, or Vanlande in countries with Latin influence.

In France, a variant of the Wendland surname is Vendlande, while in The Netherlands and Scandinavia, the surname may take the form of Vandeland or Vandelande.

In some cases, the Wendland surname can be changed or developed into other surnames to indicate occupations. For example, Wendehals may be used to describe a family of hunters or Wendehändler for a family of traders.

In areas of German-speaking Switzerland, Wendland may also be spelt as Wendelin, Vendelin, Wendelyn, Wendely, Windelin or Wonendlinger.

Finally, the Wendland surname could be associated with other surnames with similar meanings, such as Vanderland, Verland, Wänderlich, or Winderlich.

Famous people with the name Wendland

• Bob Wendland, professional baseball player
• Benjamin Wendland, senior theater designer
• William Wendland, American sculptor and painter
• Fr. Richard Wendland, Catholic priest
• Rui Wendland, Canadian actor
• Gary Wendland, former US Navy servicemember
• Trevor Wendland, multi-instrumentalist and composer
• Errol Wendland, German entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Tom Wendland, Chromatic harmonica player
• Bobbi Wendland, Paralympic athlete
• Marc Wendland, voce coach and music producer
• Austin Wendland, American thrash metal vocalist
• Andi Wendland, professional wakeboarder
• Enzo Wendland, professional video game streamer
• Jimmy Wendland, former professional hockey player
• Mike Wendland, professional basketball player
• Wilfried Wendland, German football manager and player
• Lucas Wendland, internationally acclaimed electronic producer
• Dustin Wendland, award-winning artist
• Kristina Wendland, Olympic ice hockey player

Other surnames

WendländerWendlandtWendlant