Surname Wagemanns - Meaning and Origin

Wagemanns: What does the surname Wagemanns mean?

The last name Wagemanns is of German origin and is believed to derive from the Old English words “wagan” meaning wagon and “mann” meaning man. It is an occupational surname, given to the person who made wagons or sold them. In essence, it indicates that the original bearer of the name was a wagonmaster.

The surname is found primarily in Northern Germany, particularly in the state of Lower-Saxony and its capital Hannover. As Germany is a country of emigration, we find the name strongly represented in the Anglo-Saxon countries—particularly in English-speaking nations such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The last name Wagemanns likely has nothing to do with the German word “wagemut,” meaning “courage” or “audacity.” This is because the name is derived from the Old English words “wagan” meaning wagon and “mann” meaning man, rather than the modern German word “wagemut.”

The last name Wagemanns is relatively rare today, which means it generally refers to a single family. This family is likely to have deep German roots, and they have likely been making wagons for generations. The Wagemanns family is also likely to have close ties with their homeland of Germany and the state of Lower-Saxony in particular.

Wagemanns: Where does the name Wagemanns come from?

The last name Wagemanns is most commonly found in Germany, with earlier records dating back to the 13th century. It is believed that the origin of the surname evolved from a region near Hanover. Over the centuries, many bearers of the Wagemanns surname have migrated from Germany to other countries. The surname is most prominent in the USA, with significant numbers of people in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and France.

The last name Wagemanns is believed to be a diminutive form of the German word “Wagen” which means wagon. Thus, one interpretation of the name suggests that it likely evolved as an occupational name for someone who owned or drove a wagon for a living, most likely as a means of transporting goods or merchandise.

The largest concentration of people with the last name Wagemanns lives in Germany, but over the centuries the name has spread to other places. This is evident in the numerous records and documents found in countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and France.

As a result of the wide geographic dispersion of the last name across numerous countries, tracing the family's lineage is more difficult and often requires extensive research. However, DNA testing is becoming an increasingly popular tool for tracing family lineage and offers direct connection to those who share Wagemanns as a surname.

Variations of the surname Wagemanns

The surname Wagemanns has several origins and is spelled in various ways. The original spelling in the Low German language is Wägemanns or Wägmann- which both indicate a person who cares for donkeys or horses. In the Middle High German language, the surname Wagemanns is spelled Wagemanns or Wagesmans, and these variations indicate a person who is part of the waggoners, or someone who drives or guards a wagon. In the Dutch language, the spelling becomes Waagmeen while variants in the German language are Wögemanns and Wögmans.

The surname Wagemanns also has regional spellings, such as Wagmühls, Wagmanns, Wägman, Vaagman, Waagmeis and Vaegman.

The surnames Weimanns, Weimann and Weimans could also all be derived from Wagemanns, as they all have the same meaning of waggoner. Another related name is Woytman, which again is derived from waggoner and also from waterman.

Other related surnames include Wagenman, Wagman, Wagemans, Wagiman, Weegman, Wagenmans, Wagmanns and Waigman. In Dutch, derivatives of Wagemanns include Wageman, Wagemakers and Waagman.

Despite the various possible spellings, the origin of Wagemanns all relate to a waggoner- someone who drives, guides or guards a wagon. Its derivatives are either derived from a regional language or from another related occupation.

Famous people with the name Wagemanns

• Torsten Wagemanns: German chemist and founder of Wagemanns Chemie GmbH & Co. KG, a leading developer of inorganic specialty chemicals.
• David Wagemanns: German doctor and author of several books on healthcare information systems.
• Herbert Wagemanns: German painter, best known for his naturalistic landscapes.
• Andreas Wagemanns: German musician and composer, he released his first solo album in 1987.
• Steffen Wagemanns: German professional wrestler, winner of the 2008 European Wrestling Championship.
• Kathleen Wagemanns: American film actress and producer, she has appeared in several films and television shows.
• William Wagemanns: French artist and sculptor, his works can be seen in museums around the world.
• Thomas Wagemanns: Austrian-born American documentary filmmaker, he has directed and produced several Academy Award-winning documentaries.
• Christian Wagemanns: British economist and political commentator, he is a senior research fellow at the Institute for Economic Affairs.
• Georg Wagemanns: Austrian historian and author, he is an expert on the history of Europe during the 19th century.

Other surnames

WagemannWägemann