Surname Vaupel - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering My Roots: The Intriguing Journey into the Origin and History of the Vaupel Surname
The recent exploration of my iGENEA DNA test results has taken me on a fascinating trip back in time, revealing the history and cultural significance surrounding my surname, Vaupel. Originally stemming from Germany, it paints a riveting picture of a lineage with an intriguing history that has traversed centuries, cultivating a rich tapestry of traits, customs, and traditions.
D. Vaupel
read moreVaupel: What does the surname Vaupel mean?
The last name Vaupel is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German word “valf” which means “public” or “open”. It is believed to have originally been a nickname for someone who was particularly open, friendly, or sociable.
The name Vaupel may also be a variation on a French name, Vaupelle, which comes from the French word “vaupelle” which means “seven” or “grandson of seven”. In this case the name could have been given to the person when they had seven siblings or from being the seventh grandchild.
Today, Vaupel is still a fairly common surname in German-speaking countries as well as other areas with diaspora populations from Central and Eastern Europe. People with the Vaupel name are often found in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Switzerland, and the US.
In modern times, the Vaupel name is most commonly associated with business and financial success. The name has been readily adopted by families aspiring to a higher social standing and a greater level of economic prosperity.
Overall, the Vaupel name has served as a symbol of social progress and ambition throughout history. The name itself carries an air of openness and determination, qualities typically coveted by those looking to make their mark in the world.
Order DNA origin analysisVaupel: Where does the name Vaupel come from?
The last name Vaupel is primarily found in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is estimated that the name is most prevalent in Germany and is primarily concentrated in the northern and western states of the country. While not particularly common elsewhere, there are occasional instances of the surname appearing in the United States as well, where it is believed to have been brought by German immigrants who began arriving to the country in the 18th century.
In Germany, the name Vaupel is particularly popular in the states of Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, with other instances concentrated in Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria.
In terms of overall population in Europe, Vaupel is not a particularly widespread surname. Considering how rare it is globally, it appears that the name Vaupel likely originated during the Middle Ages, when people were much more localised and families were more observant in passing down a common name.
Interestingly, there is also a belief that the name Vaupel originated from Vaupelein, which was a contraction of a phrase meaning ‘little hawk’. This suggests that the surname potentially comes from a long line of noblemen who were keen bird watchers. Ultimately, the etymology of the name Vaupel is still disputed, and its origin continues to remain largely unknown.
Variations of the surname Vaupel
The surname Vaupel is a Germanic name, derived from the Old High German personal name Walfahle. Variations of the name include Waupel, Wopel, Wopelmann and Wahlen. The Dutch language variant is Waupelse.
Vaupel is an occupational surname, referring to a messenger or wolf hunter. This name is still common in Germany and in parts of the United States. In the United States, Vaupel is typically spelled Waupel or Wompel.
Notable people with the surname Vaupel include Mardi Vaupel (born 1954), American volleyball player, and William Vaupel (born 1956) American politician.
The surname Vaupel is also associated with several spelling variations, which include Vauple, Vople, Vaubel, Vopal, Wawpel, Wauphl, Woppel, and Wumpel. The most common spelling variations are Vauple and Vauphel.
In addition to the above variations, the surname Vaupel has been anglicised to vague-sounding surnames such as Waite and Wait, which are not related to the original German name. Furthermore, some variants of the name, such as Wopelmann and Woppel, can also be used as a separate surname.
The German language variants Wophile and Wopelmann are common in North America, while Wahlen is the most common in Germany. All of the variants can be found in various parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Vaupel
- Thorsten Vaupel: Vaupel is a German politician and member of the Bundestag.
- Albert Vaupel: Vaupel was a German painter, graphic artist, and sculptor best known for his bronze sculptures.
- Laird Vaupel: Vaupel is an American politician and member of the Michigan House of Representatives.
- Andreas Vaupel: Vaupel is a German mathematician who specializes in abstract algebra.
- Charles Vaupel: Vaupel was an American golf player who competed on the PGA Tour from 1935 to 1950.
- Hans-Joachim Vaupel: Vaupel is a German professor of medicine and biotherapeutics.
- Christopher Vaupel: Vaupel is a British actor, writer, and director.
- Robert Vaupel: Vaupel is an American lawyer, comparer, and professor of law.
- Bill Vaupel: Vaupel is an American politician and member of the Michigan House of Representatives.
- Andrew Vaupel: Vaupel is an American mathematician and professor of computational mathematics at the University of Minnesota.