Surname Wencl - Meaning and Origin
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Wencl: What does the surname Wencl mean?
The surname Wencl is mainly found throughout Central and Eastern Europe, with a particular concentration in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is thought to be derived from the Old German word 'wenzel', meaning 'victor'. It was likely initially taken by someone who was victorious in battle, and then passed on to the next generations as a surname.
The Wencl name continues to be an important part of the ethnic heritage of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and is often seen in various cultural contexts. In 1983, it was added to the list of official surnames in the Czech Republic, and since then it has been present in all public records.
People with the surname Wencl tend to have a strong sense of their heritage and identity, making them proud and patriotic. They tend to be creative, patient, and thoughtful, and often excel in artistic endeavors. They also possess a strong work ethic, allowing them to be successful in their chosen careers.
The surname Wencl is a symbol of family lineage, cultural pride, and hard work. It carries a rich history, along with a deep personal and collective identity. Those who bear it should be proud of their heritage and make sure that their strong legacy continues for years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisWencl: Where does the name Wencl come from?
The last name Wencl is a German surname. As of the 2000 US Census Bureau, the Wencl surname was the 8,926th most common surname in the United States. Today, the name is most prevalent in the Midwest United States, with the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa having the highest population of individuals with the last name Wencl. In Wisconsin, 3,133 people have the surname. In Minnesota, there are 1,678 Wencls, and in Iowa there are 772.
Wencl appears to primarily be of German heritage. The name is believed to have originated in the small region of Saxony in what is now eastern Germany. It most likely derives from the German word “wenkel” meaning “someone small or plump.”
Today, the surname continues to be found throughout Europe, as well as the US. According to surnamedb.com, Wencl is the 517th most common surname in Austria, and the 4,371st most common surname in the Czech Republic. It is also found in small numbers in Hungary, Poland, and Serbia.
The surname has also spread to places such as Canada, Brazil, and Argentina, likely due to German immigration in the 19th century. In these places, the name tends to be quite rare, and there is no clear indication of how many people living in Canada, Brazil, and Argentina have the surname Wencl.
Variations of the surname Wencl
Wencl is a surname of Slavic origin, believed to have originated in the Czech Republic, which is still the most common place where the name is found. Variants and spellings from other countries include Winkel, Wincl, Winkle, Windcl, Vencl, Venecl, Vancl, Venkel and Vinkel, with Wencl and Winkel being the most common variants.
In the Czech Republic, Wencl can also be spelled as Vencl, Vánecl, and Vancl. In Poland, spellings include Wincl, Vencł, and Wincel. People with this surname are found in Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine, and descend from the Wencl lineage, meaning variations of the name can be seen there as well.
In the United States, the spelling of the surname was changed to Winkel, upon the family’s arrival, and other variants of the name have been adopted such as Winkle. Descendants of those who immigrated from Europe usually changed their surnames to Winkel, as its more phonetically identifiable than Wencl, and the spelling has been further altered to different spellings such as Winkler, Winckley and Winckler.
It is likely that all variations of the surname Wencl, Winkel, and Wincl, etc., all stem from a common ancestor, so all those with the surname can consider themselves part of the same family.
Famous people with the name Wencl
- Steve Wencl: retired professional baseball player for the Minneapolis Millers in the late 1950s.
- Steve Wencl: American college basketball player for the University of Michigan in the early 1970s.
- Steven E. Wencl: former Republican member of the Minnesota Senate who represented District 21 from 2005 to 2009.
- Robert E. Wencl: American politician who served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1983 to 1985.
- Kent Wencl: former American football player for the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the late 1970s.
- Keith Wencl: former member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota's 6th congressional district.
- John Wencl: American football coach who served as an assistant coach at Brigham Young University from 1980 to 1984.
- Christopher A. Wencl: American politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 2001 to 2003.
- Michael S. Wencl: American lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1983 to 1993.
- Maria Wencl: American actress who appeared in Steven Spielberg’s Hook and films such as Save the Last Dance and The Flamingo Kid.