Surname Wegel - Meaning and Origin
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Wegel: What does the surname Wegel mean?
The last name Wegel is of German origin and is derived from the German word “wegel” meaning “watchman” or “guardian”. Historically, it was a surname given to a sentinel guard of a feudal or ecclesiastical estate. The surname Wegel may also find its roots in the Middle High German word "wegel" which means “barrier.” This suggests that the surname was once given to people working on the land, such as a plowman, warden, or even a farmer.
As the meaning of the surname suggests, people with the Wegel name may have balanced qualities of both fearlessness and responsibility. These skills are likely to have been honed in their duties as a land guardian, responsible for protecting and looking after all the property and assets in their jurisdiction.
Today, people with the Wegel name may be found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, but they are also distributed across several other countries. Around the world, these people may be of varied backgrounds and cultures, but they are likely to share common attributes of resilience, commitment, and sincerity—each of which were likely part of the job of a sentinel long ago. From this perspective, the surname Wegel has a deeper meaning than simply “guardian” or “watchman”—it is a reminder of the courage, dedication, and strength of its wearers throughout time.
Order DNA origin analysisWegel: Where does the name Wegel come from?
The last name Wegel is commonly found throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. While the origin of this last name is uncertain, it is believed to be German in origin. It is also suggested that Wegel may be derived from a German word meaning "ruler" or "corner".
In terms of origin, Wegel is thought to have first been found in the German-speaking countries of Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. It likely originated from an occupational name that was associated with a craftsman who was employed in the manufacture or repair of edges, corners, or wall sections of buildings.
Today, Wegel is most common in the German-speaking regions of Europe; Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The largest concentration of Wegels is found in the German state of Bavaria where the name stands at 0.016% of the population or approximately 18,400 individuals. Beyond this, the name Wegel is found in small concentrations throughout other regions of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in some parts of the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, as there has been a significant amount of emigration over the last several centuries.
Variations of the surname Wegel
The surname Wegel originates from Germany, and several alternate spellings and variants exist. The most common variants are Wegle, Weigle, Weigle, Weigel, Weigels, Weigand, and Wahigle, all of which trace their origins to the German word "wegel".
The name Weigel derives from the German term ‘wegel’, meaning ‘small wall’, or someone who came from a settlement near such a structure. As such, people with this directly-related surname likely had Germanic origin or lived near a geographical feature of such note. It was likely first used as a topographic surname in Germany during the middle ages.
Other related surnames include Vajgel, Vogel, Vogt, Wachtel, and Wagler, derived from the German word ‘vogel’, meaning ‘bird’. Wagler is also derived from the term ‘wahl’, meaning ‘forest’. Less common variants include Wegmann, Wegleiter, Wegloecher, and Wegefischen.
People of the Wegel surname were known for being dignified, headstrong individuals. Among notable individuals of this name is Frank Wegler, a former football coach from the United States. He was a key figure in the development of several university football teams and successful college teams. Ferdinand Wegelin, another notable individual from the surname, was a German zoologist who worked on the classification of mammals and birds. His work was widely admired and played an important role in the development of modern zoology.
Famous people with the name Wegel
- Jey Wegel: a poster and zine artist based in London
- Andrew Wegel: an American architect and architecture professor at North Carolina State University
- Tom Wegel: a former NASCAR driver
- Horst Wegel: a former German volleyball player
- Michael Wegel: a former football player and coach at Gainesville High School
- Richard Wegel: a former teacher and research analyst at Hewlett-Packard
- Ulf Wegel: a German painter
- Elmar Wegel: a former ice hockey player
- Gail Wegel: an American character actress
- Marlene Wegel: an Austrian jazz singer