Surname Watzula - Meaning and Origin
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Watzula: What does the surname Watzula mean?
The last name Watzula is of Polish origin and is derived from the Polish word ‘wata’ which means ‘a marsh’. The name Watzula was likely chosen by individuals from the punitive taxes levied on land located in marshy areas. This tax was referred to as the ‘wata czula’ tax, hence the origin of the last name ‘Watzula’.
The name likely refers to someone who was involved in wetland farming practices. This would include the excavation and drainage of wetlands in order to either cultivate water vegetables or raise livestock. The wetlands could also have been preserved for fishing, hunting or harvesting reeds for thatching roofs.
The name Watzula could also have been given to individuals who lived near or near rivers or lakes and were either trading or ferrying goods across the waterways. It could also have been given to those involved in boat-building or associated trades such as rope-making and net-making.
The last name Watzula could be found in many areas from Central, East and Southeastern Europe to North America. It is still a common name today, especially in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Russia and the Czech Republic.
Order DNA origin analysisWatzula: Where does the name Watzula come from?
The last name Watzula is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe. The name is most common in Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus. In Poland, the name is found in the northeastern region of the country as well as in the Masurian Lakes District. In Lithuania, the name is found in the cities of Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipeda. In Belarus, the name is found in the capital city of Minsk as well as in other cities throughout the country.
Watzula is a very old and rare surname. Records of this surname can be found as far back as the 1700s in the countries of Lithuania, Poland, and Belarus. Today, it is estimated that between 500 and 600 people share this last name, making it a relatively uncommon name. Many members of this name have emigrated to other countries, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
The meaning of the name is not readily known but some believe it to be derived from the word watzu, meaning “dark” in Yiddish. This may suggest that the name originally belonged to Jewish families. This is reinforced by the fact that the name is most frequently found in Central and Eastern European countries, which were historically home to many Jewish communities.
Variations of the surname Watzula
The surname Watzula is of German origin and is believed to have derived from the Middle High German word "watzule," meaning "to wash or cleanse."
Variants or other spellings of the surname Watzula include Watzole, Watzolle, Watzul, Watzyll, Wattzull, Watsul, Wetzula and Wetzulle.
The surnames that are believed to share the same origin as Watzula include Watschula, Wetsula, Wetschula, Watsulle, Watsula, Wetzole, Witzke, Wassill, Vassele, Vassill, Wessel, Wettzule, Witzule, Wittscha and Wieschula.
The most commonly found variants of the surname Watzula outside of Germany are Wetsulla, Watzol, Vatzol, Witzul and Witzole.
Variations of the last name Watzula can be found all over Europe and the United States. It is most common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and South Tyrol, although there are also smaller numbers of people with similar surnames found elsewhere, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
Famous people with the name Watzula
- Gus Lacy Watzula: an American actor, writer, director, and producer best known for his work on the popular web series, QaF 2.0.
- Nancy Watzula: an American lawyer and legal scholar specializing in constitutional and civil rights law.
- Nelson Watzula: a professional basketball player in the NBA from 1977 to 1989.
- Jody Watzula: an American country singer-songwriter who has released seven albums and is perhaps best known for his 2004 hit single "C'mon".
- Sandy Watzula: a professional golfer who joined the LPGA Tour in 1998 and has since won four tournaments.
- Mark Watzula: a two-time European Tour winner and one of the most successful golfers of the 1990s.
- Emma Watzula: a pioneering aviator who made the first transcontinental flight in 1927.
- Albert Watzula: a Cuban-American neuroscientist known for his research on the neurobiology of learning and memory.
- Elizabeth Watzula: a descendant of Lakota Chief Red Cloud, known for her work in activism and social justice.
- Wally Watzula: an Olympic figure skater who competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics and won a gold medal in the pairs event.