Surname Wander - Meaning and Origin
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Wander: What does the surname Wander mean?
The last name "Wander" is of German origin and is considered to be occupational, deriving from the Middle High German term "wandelære" meaning "a changer" or "one who changes or exchanges (goods)". It was usually assigned to people involved in such activities, possibly including merchants or traders. Over time, the term morphed into "Wander" and was adopted as a surname. It's also important to note that words similar to "wander" mean "to hike" or "to roam" in contemporary German, but there is no definitive link between these modern terms and the origin of the surname. Like many surnames, precise interpretations can be challenging due to regional differences and changes in language over centuries. Therefore, while the above interpretation is widely accepted, variations may exist.
Order DNA origin analysisWander: Where does the name Wander come from?
The last name Wander is most commonly found in Germany today. It is estimated to be the 8th most common surname in Germany.
The name Wander may have originated as a nickname for an individual who was a traveler, wanderer, or pilgrim. It could also have been a habitational name, derived from a place named Fnider or Wender.
The surname can be found in records as far back as the 1500s in Germany. One instance is when a man named Johann Hermann Wander was born in 1610 in Hesse, Germany. It is likely that all the people with this surname in the world today are descended from him.
The Wander family has spread and can now be found in countries all around the world. German descendants could have taken the Wander surname to other countries during military or political campaigns. However, the Wander surname is still most common in Germany today.
Outside of Germany, Wander can be found in moderate numbers in Austria, Switzerland, the United States, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The United States is an especially popular place to find this surname, making it the 107th most common last name in the country.
Variations of the surname Wander
The Wander surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Vondercrone, Wandenreich, Wichter, Wondergoll, Wandelmeyar, Wanders, Winder, Wunderly, Wunderlich, Wanderling, and Wanderer.
Vondercrone is a German-based surname derived from the words "von der" and "Krone," which translate to "of the crown." This surname was notably borne by an influential Jewish family from Germany. Other English spellings of the surname include Vondercrone and Vondercrohn.
Wandenreich is another German-based surname derived from the words "wande" and "reich," which translate to "empire of the wand." Wandenreich was likely associated with the banking family of Frankfurt in the 18th century. Alternative spellings include Vandenreich and Wontenreich.
Wichter is a Dutch-based surname that is either derived from the word "wijcht," referring to a tax-free fishing right, or from the word "Wicht," meaning to wander or saunter.
Wondergoll is another Dutch-based surname originating from the words "wond" and "goll," which mean "ever" and "wander." This surname was likely given to someone who was an excessive traveler or wanderer.
Wandelmeyar is another Dutch-based surname derived from the words "wandel" and "meyar," which mean "walk" and "frequently," respectively.
Wanders is an English-based surname derived from the word "wander," meaning to wander or roam.
Winder is an English-based surname derived from referring to someone who winds a bell or rop.
Wunderly and Wunderlich are German-based surnames derived from the words "wunder" and "lich," which mean "wonderful" and "like," respectively. These surnames were likely given to someone who possessed admirable and delightful qualities.
Wanderling is a German-based surname originating from the word "wander," referring to someone who travels from place to place.
Wanderer is a German-based surname derived from the word "wandern," referring to someone who travels or wanders.
Famous people with the name Wander
- Ilya Wander: Belarusian weightlifter who won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
- Will Wander: American professional basketball player currently playing in the NBA Development League.
- Thomas Wander: German actor and filmmaker, best known for his role in the movie Delicatessen.
- Mona Wander: German actress and radio host.
- Liel Wander: Israeli singer and songwriter.
- Varda Wander: Israeli composer and conductor.
- Yitzhak Wander: Israeli sculptor, painter, draftsman and filmmaker.
- Etty Wander: Israeli music and theater composer.
- Charles Wander: Canadian figure skater and show jumper, three-time national champion in the 1970s.
- Hannah Wander: Dutch actress best known for her roles in musical theater.