Surname Wegele - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wegele: What does the surname Wegele mean?
The last name Wegele is primarily found in Germany and is derived from the Middle High German expression "wergele" which references watercourses such as streams or creeks. In some cases, the name is believed to refer to individuals who resided near such a body of water such as a fisherman, a ferryman, or even a miller, as many of these professions required residence near a river.
The name is also thought to be derived from the Old German word for "big or bold." The expression is often thought to reflect the strength or bravery of an individual. In some instances, the name may also be derived from the Old Saxon word "wagho," which means "wagoner" or "hauler," suggesting it might also have referred to someone who transported goods in a wagon or cart.
The origins of the Wegele name can also be found in Czech and Slavic countries, where the term is translated similarly to mean "stream or creek."
Overall, the name Wegele is thought to represent a connection to a body of water or to strength and bravery. In some cases, it could have also once referred to professions related to moving goods or people.
Order DNA origin analysisWegele: Where does the name Wegele come from?
The last name Wegele is most commonly found today primarily in Germany and Austria. Historically, the name Wegele has been found in both Germany and Austria since at least the Middle Ages, making it difficult to determine the specific origin of the name. Some suggestions put forth include it being a topographical name to describe a particular type of landscape, or a patronymic from the Germanic given names Wago or Waggo, meaning to go, walk, or move. It is also possible that the name is derived from the Old German word Wage, which can mean territory or land.
Though the origin of the name is unknown, what is certain is that the name has been associated with Germany and Austria for many centuries. Wegele is currently among the 500 thousand most common names in Germany and appears in records from as far back as 1590 in Berlin. In Austria, Wegele is the 54th most common last name, found in records dating back to 1725 in the Lower Bavarian region. In both countries, the last name today is most commonly found around Bavaria and the Alps.
Variations of the surname Wegele
The surname Wegele has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Most of its variants are German in origin, and some variations include Weghel, Wegele, Wegle, Weigl, Waegele, Wege, Wegle, Weigel, and Weigle.
The surname Wegele first appeared in Bavaria, a region in Germany, during the Middle Ages. Much of the history of the surname dates back to the 15th century. Its variants spread to surrounding German regions and even to Austria and Switzerland.
The 'weg' in Wegele is derived from the German word for 'way', while the 'le' at the end of the surname likely comes from the German word denoting 'small'. This is why meanings of versions of the surname often include 'little way' or 'small path'.
The various spellings of Wegele can be traced to regional differences in Germany. For example, Bavarians pronounced 'w' like a 'v', while Swabians often use a 'g'. Regional dialects across Germany further mutated the surname over generations.
In the United States, the surname was often Americanized to Wigle, Waegle, Wegle, Weigle, Weigel, and Weagley, among other forms. It is possible that the last two forms date back to settlers who arrived from Switzerland and Austria.
Today, variants of the surname Wegele can be found in many countries, including: Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Wegele
- Connor Wegele: A professional American hockey player for the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Paul Wegele: A retired German football player
- Karl-Heinz Wegele: A German Politician and Member of the European Parliament
- Finley Wegele: The former lead guitarist of the Alt-Rock Band August Collective
- Philip Wegele: A German Olympic Rower
- Bianca Wegele: won the Miss Miami Valley USA competition in 2017
- Kraig Wegele: participated on the third season of The Voice
- Fridolin Wegele: A former Swiss ice hockey player
- Jana Wegele: A Swiss fitness athlete and sponsored athlete for various fitness apparels
- Penny Wegele: A self-published author and director of creative solutions for a marketing firm.