Surname Wagemaker - Meaning and Origin

Wagemaker: What does the surname Wagemaker mean?

The last name Wagemaker is of Dutch origin and is thought to have originated from the Dutch word wagenmaker, meaning “wagon maker”. This was likely an occupational name, referring to someone in the business of wagon wheel construction. In the historical context, wagons would have been used for transportation, trade, horse-riding, and battle.

The Wagemakers were a family of Dutch wagon wheel makers, dating back to as early as the 16th century. At that time, many Wagemakers were employed in the transport of goods as well as providing supply and maintenance services for the military. This has evolved into what we know today as the alternator and tire industry.

Today, the Wagemaker name is still common in the Netherlands as well as in the Netherlands Antilles, a Caribbean island nation in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea. The Wagemaker family has been found in many parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

The Wagemakers have also had their historical impact on culture; for example, Wagemaker’s parents were Dutch and were well-known for their manufacture and repair of horses’ and mules’ harnesses and collars, which were popular in the Netherlands in the eighteenth century. Furthermore, the Wagemakers were responsible for the building of the Dutch royal palace of Huis ten Bosch.

The Wagemaker’s name speaks to a strong heritage of hard work and dedication. It is a name that tells a story that has been passed down through generations. Wagemakers today are the modern day descendants of these wagon makers, who continue to proudly bear the Wagemakers family name with dignity and strength.

Wagemaker: Where does the name Wagemaker come from?

The last name Wagemaker can be found in several countries across the world today. In the Netherlands, it is most commonly found in the provinces of Noord-Holland, Utrecht, and Zeeland. In the nearby region, Wagemaker is popular in Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. In the US, Wagemaker is most common in Illinois, Minnesota, and Iowa.

In the Netherlands, the origin of the name is tied to the making and repair of wagons. The first Wagemakers living there in the 1600s were likely the makers and repairers of these wagons. As a result, the name spread with the Wagemakers as they moved from one Dutch village to another.

In the US, the name Wagemaker is likely derived from the Dutch, but the source of the name is unclear. The first Wagemakers living in the US may have adopted the name after immigrating from the Netherlands in the late 1800s.

The name Wagemaker is spread across the world, because of the many Dutch diasporas from the Netherlands to the US and other countries. Although the Wagemakers likely originated in the Netherlands, their descendants can be found around the world.

Variations of the surname Wagemaker

The Wagemaker surname is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Old Dutch word 'waghen' which means 'to weave'. It was most likely an occupational name for a weaver or a maker of wagons, or possibly for someone who lived near a wagonmaker's home. Variants of the Wagemaker surname include Wagenmaker, Wagemans, Wagenmacher, Wagenmaker, Wagenaar, Wagemaker, Wagemakers, Wagemert, Wagenmakers, and Wagemakersz.

Alternatively, spellings of the Wagemaker surname can include Wagenmakers and Wagemakers. Other variations include Wagmeester and Wagemekker, which are Dutch versions of the same name.

Surnames of similar origin include Daymaker, Boxtelmaker, and Wagtmkker. These names are derived from occupations and likely refer to either a maker of boxes or wagons, or someone who lived near a wagonmaker or boxmaker's home.

The Wagemaker surname is found throughout the Dutch-speaking world, including the Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, and the United States. In the US, it is particularly common in Wisconsin and Illinois, both of which have large Dutch-speaking populations.

Famous people with the name Wagemaker

• Arnold Wagemaker: Dutch mathematician and computer scientist; professor at the University of Twente (UT) and honorary professor at the Radboud University Nijmegen.
• Geertje Wagemaker: Dutch glass artist, noted for her work with glass beads and inlays.
• Jannick Wagemaker: Dutch tennis player best known for being a doubles specialist.
• Olivier Wagemaker: Dutch actor, he has appeared in many Dutch television series and films.
• Theodorus J. Wagemaker: Dutch doctor, noted for his research and work in biochemistry.
• Hilco Wagemaker: Dutch entrepreneur, noted for his work in the investment sector.
• Eric Wagemaker: Dutch painter, known for his intricate and detailed works in oil and acrylics.
• Lena Wagemaker: Dutch athlete, best known for her performance in javelin events.
• Katharina Wagemaker: Dutch sculptor, known for her bronze statues which are displayed in galleries around the Netherlands.
• Pelle Wagemaker: Dutch businessman, known for his work in the communications sector.

Other surnames

Wagemakers