Surname Wagenschwanz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wagenschwanz: What does the surname Wagenschwanz mean?
The last name Wagenschwanz is of German origin, and is derived from the words wagen (wagon) and schwanz (tail or end). It is likely that the surname derived from a toponymic name, indicating someone who lived near a wagon end or tail. Thus, the name Wagenschwanz could have referred to people who belonged to a wagoner family or trade, or who simply lived by a wagon.
The origin of the name can be traced back to medieval Germany, during a time when the country was divided into many small provinces and territories. At this time, wagons were a common mode of transportation, and wagoners were part of many trades and professions. Wagons often carried goods from one area to another, and wagoners would be in charge of their transport. So, the name Wagenschwanz could have referred to someone with strong links to this profession.
The name Wagenschwanz is still fairly common in Germany today. The spelling can vary between Wagenschwanz and Wagenschwanz, so it is important to do some research to find out if you have any living family members with the surname. Whether or not the name originated from a wagoner family, the meaning of Wagenschwanz indicates a strong connection to the profession of wagoning, and the history of the name is an important part of understanding the family’s heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisWagenschwanz: Where does the name Wagenschwanz come from?
The last name Wagenschwanz is a German surname, derived from the combination of two words which translate as 'wagon tail'. It is still quite common in parts of the German-speaking world, particularly in Germany and Austria. It is also found in significant numbers in other European countries where German surnames are present, such as Switzerland and Belgium. The elevated presence of this surname in those countries is likely attributed to German immigration throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries when many individuals moved to seek better opportunities in other parts of Europe.
Given its German roots, the surname is quite rare in countries like the United States, due to the fact that very few German immigrants came to the US in the decades preceding WWI. However, in the wake of the war, hundreds of thousands of Germans emigrated to the US, which explains why Wagenschwanz has become more common among the German-American population. It can now be found scattered across the United States, primarily in areas which received an influx of German immigrants in the early twentieth century.
In sum, Wagenschwanz is a common family name in many parts of Europe, as well as in some parts of the United States. It is a unique German surname, derived from the combination of two words referring to a wagon tail, and its elevated presence in some countries can be attributed to German immigration in the early 1900s.
Variations of the surname Wagenschwanz
The Wagenschwanz surname is derived from the German language and literally translates to “tail of a wagon”. This surname has a few spelling variants, including Wagenschwanz, Wagen-Schwanz, Wagenschwanze, and Wagenswanz. This surname is also found with slight spelling alterations, such as “Wagon-Schwanz”, “Waggon-Schwanz”, “Schwanzwag”, “Swanswagon”, and “Swanswanson”.
The variants of the Wagenschwanz surname have produced a variety of surnames related in origin, which are mostly found in Germany and the surrounding countries. Some of these surnames include Waggonschwanz, Waggonschutz, Wagenshaw, Wagoner, Wagor, Wagener, Waggaman, Waggershausen, and Waggs. It is possible that some spellings of these names have been altered over the years, so other variations may exist in different parts of the world.
In the United States, the Wagenschwanz family made their home in the state of Pennsylvania, and descendants of the family still reside there today. Beyond Pennsylvania, the Wagenschwanz surname can be found in a few other parts of the United States. For example, the 1940 United States Census found the Wagenschwanz surname occurring in California and Ohio.
The Wagenschwanz surname is believed to be of German origin and is closely related to the other variations and surnames of the same origin. Through detailed research, the Wagenschwanz family can be tracked through a variety of spellings and surnames both in the United States and in Germany.
Famous people with the name Wagenschwanz
- Susanne Maria Marie Wagenschwanz: German composer and violinist.
- Christian Wagenschwanz: Swiss convicted serial killer who was found guilty of five counts of murder and eight counts of attempted murder.
- Posch Wagenschwanz: German rapper from Berlin.
- Clara Wagenschwanz: German singer and musician who specializes in folk-style songs.
- Nana Wagenschwanz: German fashion designer and creative director.
- Paul Wagenschwanz: German expressionist painter and graphic artist.
- Gebhard Wagenschwanz: Austrian bourgeois photographer and painter.
- Ursula Wagenschwanz: Swiss athlete and snowboarder.
- Jürgen Wagenschwanz: German alpine skier who participated in the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
- Hanspeter Wagenschwanz: German modern pentathlete who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.