Surname Wasserl - Meaning and Origin
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Wasserl: What does the surname Wasserl mean?
The last name Wasserl is of German origin. It is derived from the word "wasser" which means "water" in German. In Germany, it is more likely to be found as an Anglicanised version of "Waschler" or "Wasserle", both of which mean "washing person". It is likely that the family obtained this surname due to one or more of its ancestors having been a washer of clothes, or of the bodies of the dead.
The name Wasserl is fairly uncommon in the United States, but is relatively common in countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Common bearers of the name typically trace their ancestry back to southern Germany or nearby regions.
The most significant bearer of the name Wasserl was Eliezer Wasserl, who was an author and founder of the Bavarian Jewish community in 1233 CE. He was appointed the official rabbi of Neustadt by the Prince of Palatinate and became well known for his scholarly works.
The Wasserl surname is often associated with a calm, peaceful, and gentle demeanor, as well as a sense of community and fellowship with others. In addition, those with the name Wasserl are often hardworking, logical, and sincere in all that they do.
Order DNA origin analysisWasserl: Where does the name Wasserl come from?
The surname Wasserl is most prominently found in Austria, where it is the 166th most common last name. It is also found in significant numbers in Germany, Hungary and Switzerland. In Germany, it is the 8,513th most common last name, while in Hungary, it is the 2,061st most common surname. Switzerland ranks it as the 777th most common surname.
The origin and history of this surname is not well known, but it is believed to derive from a Germanic word meaning “water” or “watery”, likely in reference to a person living near a body of water. Currently, it is most common in towns and cities along the rivers, lakes, and mountains of Austria, with its peak concentration in the state of Tyrol. It is also found throughout the former Austro-Hungarian Empire and has spread to other parts of Europe and the world.
The name Wasserl does not appear in records from the medieval period, so it likely developed within the last few centuries. It is an uncommon name, but there are more than 8,000 people who carry this hereditary surname. As the world continues to grow and countries are becoming more connected through immigration, it is likely the Wasserl surname will begin to appear in areas of the world where it has not been found before.
Variations of the surname Wasserl
The surname Wasserl is of German origin, and is often spelled "Wasserrle". Alternative spellings include "Wasserle, Wasserrl, Wassertl, Wasserli, Wassel, Wahserle, Waeserl, and Wasserly". Many of these spellings evolved from dialectal variations of the name or an intentional misspelling by immigrants arriving in the New World.
The surnames Wasservogell, Wasserpflug, Wasserhan, and Wasselsteen are also related to the Wasserl name. These alternate surnames may have been used to avoid confusion when two people of the same name were living in the same area, or when they had the same family name but were from different family lines.
The Wasserer and Wasseres variants of the Wasserl surname are derived from "Wässer" or "Wasserle" in the German language. Wasserle is derived from the German words "wasser" (water) and "Le" (people). Thus, Wasserer and Wasseres mean "the people of the water".
The Wassell, Wassholz, and Wasshaupt variants of the Wasserl surname are also found in various countries in the world. Wassell is derived from the German word "wassel" or "wasseln" which means to converse or to be merry. Wassholz is derived from the German word "wasshol" or "wasselholz" which means water wood. Wasshaupt is derived from the German words "wass" and "haupt" and denotes the head of the water, referring to a river, lake, or pond.
Other variants of the Wasserl surname include Wasserbaugh, Wasserbaum, Wasserbezlike, Wasserberg, Wasserberger, Wasserburger, Wasserheil, Wassensteiner and Wassmuth. These variants are names that evolved through small variations in the spelling or by adoption of the original surname by non-related families.
Famous people with the name Wasserl
- Elisabeth Wasserl: a German actress known for her roles in the films Marinas geheimnis (2003), Hotel Desire (2011) and Hunger (2012).
- Stan Wasserl: an American television and radio journalist and former managing editor of CNN.
- Klaus Wasserl: a former East German figure skating coach and judge who became a successful sports administrator and leader in Germany.
- Boris Wasserl: a German composer and producer who has collaborated with artists such as 2raumwohnung, R.E.M., and Die Fantastischen Vier.
- Harald Wasserl: a German politician who served as a Member of the German Bundestag (Parliament) from 2005 to 2009.
- Alfred Wasserl: a Viennese psychoanalyst, author, and president of the International Psycho-Analytical Association in 1946.
- Helmut Wasserl: a German linguist and teacher who is best known for his work on dialectology, sociolinguistics, historical grammar, and lexicography.
- Karl-Friedrich Wasserl: a German lawyer, economist, and former President of the European Federation of Senior Executives.
- Linda Wasserl: an Austrian television presenter and actor, best known for her roles in the television series Bunte Zukunft (1984) and Polizeiinspektion 1 (1994–1997).
- Michael Wasserl: a Bavarian folk musician and composer who is well-known for his traditional German music and plays the accordion and the clarinet.