Surname Wankmiller - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wankmiller: What does the surname Wankmiller mean?
The last name Wankmiller is of German origin and is derived from the German personal name Wanko, a diminutive form of Wank, which is derived from the Old Germanic elements ‘wan’ which meant ‘fighter’ or ‘strife’, and ‘kin’, which meant ‘family’ or ‘kinship’. Thus, the name essentially translates to mean ‘fighting kinsman’.
As a surnames, Wankmiller likely refers to the hereditary profession of a member of the family. In feudal societies, a Wankmiller was likely responsible for the protection of the families and lands of the ruling class, especially those located on the borderlands or during times of war. Such a role would have required the Wankmiller to be an adept strategist, planner, defender, and leader.
In modern days, the Wankmiller surname remains in use in various parts of the world, although most commonly in Germany and the United States. Throughout history, the Wankmiller family has proven to be a driven and ambitious clan, giving rise to successful individuals in a wide range of fields, from the military to the sciences to the arts.
Order DNA origin analysisWankmiller: Where does the name Wankmiller come from?
The surname Wankmiller is most commonly found in Germany. It is German and is derived from the Middle High German words "wanke" meaning “crooked” and “mueller” which means “miller”. The name Wankmiller is most prevalent in the German-speaking regions of Central and Eastern Europe. It appears in the 18th and 19th centuries in the areas of Bavaria, Austria, and Prussia.
In current times, the majority of people with the surname Wankmiller are living in Germany and other parts of Europe such as Austria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. This is based on research and statistics done by genealogical organizations and family history websites.
The surname is also found in the United States. It can be traced back to immigrants from the German-speaking regions who settled in America in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. Initially these immigrants were found mainly in states such as Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.
Today, people with the surname Wankmiller can be found in all parts of the United States from the east coast to west coast. California is reportedly the state with the most people with that name. This data stems from the Social Security Administration's website as well as the US Census of the population.
It appears that the surname Wankmiller is still quite prevalent in its areas of origin in Europe and has also spread widely to North America where it has become firmly established.
Variations of the surname Wankmiller
The surname Wankmiller is believed to be of German origin, and is spelled in several variants and surnames around the world. Variations and spellings of the name include Wankamiller, Vankamiller, Wankemiller, Wankumiller, and Wankomiller. Similarly, variations on the surname also exist, such as Wandmiller, Vonkamiller, Vankamuller, Vonkenmiller, and Winkmiller.
The original form of this surname comes from the German language, and indicates that the bearer was from the town of Vankamilli, which translated to mean 'Wank's mill.' Alternatively, it could be a patronymic name, deriving from the personal name 'Wank,' which is a diminutive of 'Walke.' In the United States, this surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, where it is the eight-most-common name, particularly in the counties of Berks, Pennsylvania, and York County. Migration from Germany in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries is thought to be the reason for the high presence of this surname in the United States.
In other countries, such as Russia, Poland, Britain, and Austria, the surname may have different spellings or even entirely different surnames that could have derived from the original or are simply similar. These surnames include Wankmuller, Wankmueller, Vankmuller, Vankmueller, Vankmullar, and Wankmullar.
The presence of the name Wankmiller is most visible in the United States, but its variants and spellings are relatively common in other countries around the world as well, suggesting that the name has spread widely since its humble beginnings in Germany.
Famous people with the name Wankmiller
- Edward Wankmiller: A professional business executive who worked in the United States in the 1990s, he was known for his success in developing healthcare operations and administrations.
- Donald Wankmiller: A long-time banker who worked with multiple American financial institutions, he was a key player in the implementation of cost-saving and efficiency-increasing measures within banks.
- Richard Wankmiller: A four-star general who served in the American military from 1965 until his retirement in 1998, he was instrumental in shaping many of the U.S.’s modern armed forces’ strategies and tactics.
- Anne Wankmiller: A prolific author who specialized in fantasy and science fiction, she wrote many popular series and individual novels that touched on a variety of themes.
- Kurt Wankmiller: A prominent theologian and author in the early 20th century who wrote dozens of books on topics such as metaphysics, ethics, and religion.
- Paul Wankmiller: A noted physicist and journalist who earned several awards for his work in investigating new technologies and their potential applications.
- April Wankmiller: An award-winning documentary filmmaker, she is best known for her films focusing on humans’ interactions with the natural world.
- Stacey Wankmiller: A leading artisan in the world of pottery, she creates functional pieces that are as beautiful as they are useful.