Surname Wassill - Meaning and Origin
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Wassill: What does the surname Wassill mean?
The last name Wassill is a Slavic surname derived from the given name Vasil or Vasile. The given name Vasil/Vasile is a very common name in Eastern Europe and is believed to derive from the Greek Basil, which most likely derives from the Aramaic word basill meaning “king” or “monarch”, which in turn derives from the Latin basis meaning “foundation”.
The surname Wassill is most commonly found amongst the descendants of people from the former Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania and Greece. It is even believed that some people bearing the name Wassill can be found as far west as Germany, Italy and France.
In terms of its origin and meaning, Wassill could be said to have derived from one of two Slavic and Greek roots. The first is that it is a derivative of the Greek word basilisk, meaning “king” or “powerful lord”. The second is that it is a derivative of the Slavic word vassal meaning “servant” or “slave”, which in turn has its roots in the Latin for “servitude”. It is possible that one or both of these definitions have been combined by those bearing the name, and the resulting double meaning could have been seen as desirable, likely signifying strength and power.
Overall, the surname Wassill has a rich history that is as diverse and varied as those who currently bear it, and the origins of its meaning still continue to be debated to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisWassill: Where does the name Wassill come from?
The last name Wassill is predominantly found in Germany and other parts of Europe. It is also common in South Africa and parts of the United States. According to the Global Family Tree Global Nameerick, the name is believed to be a derivation of the names Vasil and Vasilios. The earliest recorded form of the surname was in the Middle Ages in Germany, where it appears as Vassil.
In German-speaking regions, Wassill is a relatively common surname, appearing in records dating back to the 12th century when the family were nobles. In some parts of the United States, the name appears primarily among the descendants of German immigrants, though there is also evidence of some English ancestors in some cases.
In South Africa, the name appears primarily among the descendants of European immigrants who arrived in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Wassill is also a fairly common name in the United Kingdom, particularly in the North East of England.
Wassill is not a particularly common name in Australia but there are some occurrences in records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, this surname appears scattered throughout the world, particularly in the United States, Germany, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Wassill
The Wassill surname originates in England and is of Anglo-Saxon descent. It is thought to have derived from an ancient personal name, Wassa, or from an Old English word, waes, meaning “weasand.”
Variants of the Wassill surname include Wasell, Wassell, Wassel, Wasel, Wasall, Wasles, Wazelle, Wasshall, Waesle, Waesel, Wasale, Waseale, Wacoal, and Waecole.
Spellings of this surname may include Wasill, Wasyl, Wassil, Wasyll, Wasylles, Waisill, Wacyll, Wasely, W-assyl or Wassely, Wossele, Woussel, Waisel, and Wassiell.
Surnames related to the Wassill name are Wassillis, Wacella, Waskel, Waschell, Wassilencko, Wassellor, Wazeller, Wessels, Waza, Wastall, and Wastl.
In some instances, the surname Wassill may have developed separately from other version of the name such as Wasel, Wasall, and Wasles. In other cases, the surname may have changed to one of the variants or spellings noted above due to the phonetic nature of the language and dialects.
In summary, the surname Wassill has numerous potential variants, spellings, and surnames related to its origin. Ultimately, the original form of the surname can be determined through researching historical records.
Famous people with the name Wassill
- William Wassill: Canadian soccer coach
- Katie Wassill: artist and art educator
- Stan Wassill: Hall of Fame basketball player
- Fred Wassill: Former NFL punter
- Robert Wassill: Canadian hockey goaltender
- Ludwig Wassill: Prussian field marshal
- David Wassill: Retired hockey player and coach
- Brenda Wassill: Award-winning quilter
- Mike Wassill: ice hockey executive
- George Wassill: NFL running back