Surname Wagonner - Meaning and Origin
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Wagonner: What does the surname Wagonner mean?
The surname Wagonner is of German origin, deriving from the Middle High German term "wagener" which means "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". It is an occupational surname given to individuals who historically were engaged in the profession of constructing or driving wagons. The name suggests a very practical trade and might be associated with those involved in transportation or carpentry. Variations of the name include Wagener, Wagner, and Wagoner. As with many surnames, geographical and regional factors often influenced the spelling. Thus, it is common to see different variations of the same surname. Over time, family members migrated or moved, causing the name's spelling to change. Realizing the connection with a task or trade, we can assume that the initial family bearing this name had a significant role within their community. The heritage of such a surname takes us back to a time when surnames directly linked to a person's profession, contributing to the identity and reputation within their society.
Order DNA origin analysisWagonner: Where does the name Wagonner come from?
The last name Wagonner is not an exceedingly common surname. It is primarily found in the United States, with a few scattered instances around the world. It appears to be most likely of German origin, but is also seen in Ireland and England which suggest it could have come from any of those three locations.
In the United States, the surname Wagonner is most often found in the Midwest and South. In particular, it is concentrated in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. These areas are home to a large population of German-Americans, which explains the prominence of the surname Wagonner in those areas. Away from the Midwest and South, the surname Wagonner is still relatively common in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Tennessee.
Elsewhere in the world, the surname Wagonner can be found in small numbers in countries like Germany, Canada, France, Australia, and England. Tracing the surname beyond these countries is more difficult, but it can also be found in smaller numbers in Russia, Belarus, Austria, and Finland.
Overall, the surname Wagonner is still relatively uncommon and can be found predominantly in the United States and the countries of origin of its ancestors.
Variations of the surname Wagonner
The surname Wagonner has been traced back to various places and origins. Depending on where it originated, different variations of the name have come about. Some of these include Wagener, Wagoner, Waggoner, Wagner, Wegner, Waegner and Waechter.
The most popular version of the surname is Wagoner, which can be found in many countries around the world, especially the United States. This version of the name is derived from the German name Wagen, meaning wagon. This name was likely given to individuals who crafted wagons or were wagon makers. Thus, those who adopted the name Wagoner were likely of German or Austrian descent.
In France, a version of the name is spelled Wagener. This name is derived from the French 'wagonnet', meaning wagon. People who were wagon drivers likely adopted this name as an occupational name.
The English and Scottish versions of the name are Waggoner and Waechter, respectively. Both are derived from the Proto-Germanic elements Wagan, meaning wagon and Wacht, meaning watchman. This would mean that individuals with those surnames likely held occupations as wagon watchers or were wagon drivers.
In a few other countries, the surname Wagonner is spelled Wagner or Wegner. These spellings are derived from the German Wagen or Wagon. Overall, it is possible that individuals with the surname Wagonner or any of its variants have German, Austrian, French, English, Scottish, or U.S. ancestry.
Famous people with the name Wagonner
- Roger Wagoner: Former CEO and chairman of the American multinational automaker General Motors.
- Blaise Wagonner: French singer/songwriter.
- Elmer Wagonner: Former American professional baseball pitcher who appeared in one game for the Boston Red Sox in 1919.
- Richard Wagonner: Retired American race car driver who competed in National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) events, winning the 1960 Macon 200.
- Boyd Wagonner: Former American race car driver who competed in the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) series, winning a national points title in 1966.
- John Wagonner: Former American football quarterback who played for the Detroit Lions from 1955 to 1956.
- Clarence Wagonner: Former American NFL running back who played for the Washington Redskins from 1940 to 1942.
- Don Wagonner: Former American professional golfer who won the 1960 Canadian Open.
- Jim Wagoner: American professional BMX racer who competed in many international competitions.
- Lois Wagonner: American lyricist and author who wrote the hit song 'The Cat Came Back' in 1948 which was famously performed by Burl Ives.