Surname Wankmüller - Meaning and Origin
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Wankmüller: What does the surname Wankmüller mean?
The last name Wankmüller is a German surname which originated in the Middle Ages and is common among those of German heritage. The surname is derived from two words, wank, which means "someone or something that is victorious," and müller, which means "one who grinds grain." In its literal sense, the name Wankmüller can be translated to mean "victorious miller."
Historically, the name was most likely an occupational name associated with the miller caste, and those who held the title of miller were responsible for the running of a local mill in their adjacent town or village. This meant that the miller was responsible for grinding the grain, providing the flour, which would then be used in baking bread, an important part of German life for many centuries.
In modern times, Wankmüller remains a popular surname among those of German heritage. Although it has since become associated with those of other European regions, such as the Netherlands, it still remains mostly exclusive to those of German descent.
Overall, the surname Wankmüller can be seen to refer to someone associated with the profession of milling, and more broadly, to someone associated with victory. As a result, those who bear the last name Wankmüller are said to have a victorious heritage that dates back to medieval times.
Order DNA origin analysisWankmüller: Where does the name Wankmüller come from?
The last name Wankmüller is mostly found in Austria and throughout the German-speaking parts of Europe. It is believed to be a variation of an older surname Weckmüller, which was derived from the German words for “baker” and “miller”. This is a very common last name in Bavaria and Austria, where most of the population speaks German.
The Wankmüller family likely originated in the Bavaria region, which is now known for its rolling landscapes, picturesque villages, and impressive churches. It is likely that the surname was first being used in that area long ago, though there is no existing record to confirm when the family name first appeared.
The surname appears to be mainly found in Austria and the surrounding countries, such as parts of Germany, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. However, it is also likely that the name can be found in many other parts of the world, especially in countries where German-speaking people and their descendants have emigrated, such as the US, Australia, and Canada.
The Daniel Wankmüller family emigrated to the United States in 1836 and settled in Pennsylvania, and there is a published family history for this branch of the Wankmüllers. This family line has grown to include notable members, such as prominent business leaders and artists.
Today, the Wankmüller name continues to be carried throughout the world by its descendants, and there is no lack of people with the last name in its traditional home of Austria, as well as across the globe.
Variations of the surname Wankmüller
The surname Wankmüller is or can be spelled in many variants such as Wankmüller, Wankemüller, Wankemillar, Wankmiller, Wankamiller, Wankamüller, Wankenmüller, Wankimüller, Wankiemiller, Wankimiller, Wankenmiller, Wonkmüller, Wonkmiller, Wonkenmiller, Wonkamiller, Wonkemiller, etc.
The name Wankmüller has German origins and may have come from Bavaria. It comes from a combination of two German words, “wanken” meaning ‘to rock’ or ‘to sway’, and “müller” meaning ‘miller’. It is possible that the name was originally given to someone who worked in a mill.
The surname Wankmüller could trace its origin back to the town of Wank in Germany’s Swabia region, which likely developed from the forename Wanko. This could mean that the surname had its start in Bavarian royalty or noble bloodlines.
It could also be a variant of similar German surnames: Wanke, Wanko, Walkemill, Walkemüller, Waakenmüller, Wakenmüller, Walk, Weike, Weikel, Weikle, Weißke etc.
The derivative spelling Wankenmiller or Wonkenmiller is found mainly in the USA. Alternately surnames like Vankamiller, Rankmiller, Birmmiller, Hormmiller, Wontmiller, Ormmiller may have derived from early versions of Wankmüller. TheOhler and Windmiller are also close variants.
Famous people with the name Wankmüller
- Boris Wankmüller: Austrian entrepreneur and managing partner of the investment firm EQT
- Edson Wankmüller: Brazilian volleyball player
- Egon Wankmüller: Austrian racing cyclist
- Jane Wankmüller: Chilean actress and singer
- Mike Wankmüller: German football player
- Peggy Wankmüller: German television presenter
- Philipp Wankmüller: Swiss filmmaker
- Rupert Wankmüller: Austrian auto racer
- Sebastián Wankmüller: Argentine politician
- Stephen Wankmüller: American film editor, cinematographer, and producer
- Thomas Wankmüller: Austrian ski mountaineer
- Walter Wankmüller: Austrian pianist, conductor, and composer