Surname Wandell - Meaning and Origin
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Wandell: What does the surname Wandell mean?
The last name Wandell is of Swedish and Norwegian origin. It is a variant of the name Wandall, which has its roots in the Old Norse word Vandill, meaning “to move or to sway”. The Wandell surname was first adopted by individuals in the 1200s, who were wanderers - literally one who “moved or swayed” from one place to another. The Wandell family has therefore been associated with movement and wandering in their history.
Wandell is most commonly found in Sweden, Norway, and the United States. In the United States, the Wandell surname is most frequently found in New England and the midwestern states. The first immigrant of the name in the New World was Johannes Wandell, who arrived in the colony of Virginia in 1663.
The Wandell name can often connote restlessness and resilience; they were known for being pioneers in starting a new life on foreign soil. Wanderlust may have been a trait of the family; having had often led them to maintain the spirit of wander and exploration; they were part of the waves of immigrants who settled abroad and were always looking for something new and different. In addition, this pioneering spirit has also made the Wandells successful in their careers and family life.
Order DNA origin analysisWandell: Where does the name Wandell come from?
The last name Wandell is found predominantly in Europe, with a significant concentration in Sweden and parts of the Nordic and Baltic regions. The surname is also found in small numbers in Australia, the United States, and the Caribbean.
In Sweden, the Wandell name is most commonly found in the Eastern and Southern parts of the country. Here, the surname is recorded as a variant of the name Vandall, and is thought to be derived from the Old Germanic word vandall, meaning "invader". It is speculated that the surname may have been a descriptive nickname given to an ancestor who had invaded or settled in Sweden.
In the United States, the Wandell name could most likely be traced back to Swedish immigrants who arrived in the 19th century. Wandells are particularly common in the Midwest, particularly in communities with high concentrations of recent immigrants from Scandinavia.
The Wandell name is also found in countries such as Australia and the Caribbean, where both direct Swedish immigration, and the influence of the British colonial slave trade, may have played roles in its spread.
Overall, the Wandell surname is still common in Europe today, especially in Sweden and other Nordic and Baltic countries. It is also found in small numbers in the US, Australia, and the Caribbean.
Variations of the surname Wandell
The surname Wandell is derived from the Old German words wandal, wandil, and wendel, which all mean “marching band” or “wandering army.” It originated as a name for a person from the tribe that formed the original Germanic army, but over time it has become a surname.
Variants and spellings of this surname include Wander, Wanders, Wand, Wandal, Wandle, Wandling, Waundell, and Woundel. Variant surnames that share the same origin include Wanderer, Wandeler, Wandell, Vandell, Wandele, and Wondele.
The surname Wandell is also found among various extended families in Germany, France, and other European countries. In Germany, for example, the diverse spellings include Wachel, Vandel, Wandel, Vandl, and Landell. In France, the variations include the regional-specific Wandelaer, Vandelle, Wandal, Wandel, Vandelle and Wandelles. In the U.S., Vandell, Wandel, Wandle, and Wandling are most commonly found.
It is also common to find unrelated people with the same surname and variations of the same name, such as Wander, Wanderle, or Wandele. This is due to the common practice of changing the spelling to make the name easier to pronounce or due to the fact that individuals changed their name to avoid persecution or to fit in better with a new community.
Famous people with the name Wandell
- Georgia Wandell: American social media influencer featured on MTV's Ex on the Beach in 2019.
- Matthew Wandell: American hip hop artist and music producer from the Bronx, NY.
- Laurel Wandell: American singer-songwriter, composer, promoter, and independent record producer.
- Deborah Wandell: American operatic soprano and recording artist with an emphasis on new works or rarely performed operas.
- Bruce D. Wandell: American environmental scientist, and professor emeritus of geology at the University of Kansas.
- Paul Wandell: Pioneering American television producer, known for such programs as My Favorite Martian, Bat Masterson, and December Bride.
- Willard Wandell: American film and television actor born in Los Angeles, California.
- Kenneth Wandell: American writer, producer, and actor who has appeared in film and television.
- Ellie Wandell: British actress best known for her roles in The Escape (1974), A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child (1989), and The Fifteenth Floor (1999).
- Ken Wandell: American football defensive back who played in the NFL for the New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers.