Surname Wagishauser - Meaning and Origin
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Wagishauser: What does the surname Wagishauser mean?
The surname Wagishauser has German roots and is derived from the archaic term “Wag” which was used for a mediator or negotiator in the Middle Ages. Historically, such a person would possess bargaining, conflict resolution, or public leadership skills, and thus the surname was indicative of a person who had these qualities. Over the centuries, the name has come to also mean “to be of good will” or “humorous and fun-loving”.
Today, those who carry the Wagishauser surname usually belong to a family from the Rhineland, a region in southwestern Germany, bounded by the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse on the west and east respectively. This part of Germany is famous for its production of wine, lovely countryside and half-timbered houses.
Those who descend from the Wagishauser family are typically proud of their heritage and uphold the traits that their elders' names were previously known for. These include a calm, resolute nature and a dedication to peaceful resolution of conflicts and problems.
One notable descendant of the Wagishauser family was Johann Friedrich Wagishauser, who lived in the town of Oppenheim in the early 19th century. He was a renowned schoolmaster and poet, who was celebrated for his works on philosophy, metaphysics, and literature.
Overall, the surname has served to highlight the values that its original holders held in high regard. To this day, descendants of the Wagishauser family uphold those values and continue to pass them down through the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisWagishauser: Where does the name Wagishauser come from?
The last name Wagishauser is primarily found in the German-speaking part of Switzerland today, though it has a history that stretches into the 19th century. It is a rather rare name and not as common as other Swiss surnames, though it can still be found in a variety of places.
The earliest Wagishauser family in Switzerland was recorded in the early 1800’s. Records indicate that the family moved to the city of Basel from Germany sometime before 1814. It is likely that the family crossed the border seeking economic and religious freedom. Since then, the name Wagishauser has spread throughout Switzerland.
Today, people with the last name Wagishauser can be found in many of the cantons and provinces of Switzerland. It is particularly common in the canton of Basel-Landschaft and the city of Basel. The canton of Aargau, the city of Zurich, and the canton of Geneva are also home to a few Wagishausers. In addition, many people with the surname have emigrated to other countries over the years, particularly the United States and Canada.
In sum, the last name Wagishauser can be found in many places in the German-speaking part of Switzerland and beyond. With its origins stretching back hundreds of years, the Wagishauser family has established itself as a part of Swiss society and made its mark around the world.
Variations of the surname Wagishauser
Wagishauser is a surname of German origin. It is a variant of Wachsmann, which has several spelling variations in German, many of which are derived from the phonetic spelling of the name including Wackeshauser, Wackishaus, Wachtheshauser, Waggishaus, Wachehauser, Wachshaus, Wackhaus, and Wackshauser.
The verson of the surname found in North America is often different due to the immigration of family members to the United States and Canada. Some of the American and Canadian variants of Wagishauser include Waxman, Wacksman, Wakin, Wachsman, Wakeman, Waggishman, Wackhesman, Wackerman, and Wackesman.
In France, Wagishauser became Vaxman or Vaxeman and in the Netherlands it evolved into Wachtmeester.
Some of the other variants of this surname include Wechsler, Wechseler, Weckleshöfer, Wechshöfer, Wechselhöfer, Wechselhauer, Wechselhauser, Westphal, and Shechter.
Wagishauser is related to a whole family of surnames stemming from the root name of Wachs, the German word for wax. The root of the name is derived from either the occupation of wax maker, candle maker, or chandler, or the topographical feature of a wax house.
Some variants of the surname have evolved due to intentional misspellings or misunderstanding by immigration officials. For example, the early German spelling Wachsmann has been maligned over time to- Wacksman, Waggishman, Wakins or Wacks and most recently in North America- Wakins.
Famous people with the name Wagishauser
- Rev. Richard Wagishauser: A Catholic priest and advocate for political and social justice in Missouri, he founded the Social Action Office at St. Louis U. and was named a Distinguished Alumnus by the school.
- Johann Wagishauser: Known for his expertise in mathematics and physics, he wrote several textbooks on the topics while teaching at the University of Munich throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
- Hans Wagishauser: A renowned Austrian architect in the early 20th century, he designed several significant buildings in Vienna, including the Kunsthaus Wien: museum of modern art: and the Liechtenstein Palace.
- Dr. Maleah Wagishauser: A medical doctor, researcher and professor at Emory University, she is an internationally recognized expert on organ transplantation and a leader in the field of regenerative medicine.
- Alix Wagishauser: An actor, writer, comedian and producer, he has appeared in several movies and television shows, including Grey's Anatomy, The Mask and Good Morning, Vietnam.
- Jarod Wagishauser: A carpenter-turned-musician, he is best known for his work with classic rock and blues artists such as B. B. King and Howlin’ Wolf. He currently tours and records with his own band, The Royal We.
- Mia Wagishauser: A painter and sculptor, Mia has held several acclaimed solo exhibitions in galleries around the world. Her work has been featured in several magazines and newspapers, and she was recently the recipient of the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation grant.