Surname Wendling - Meaning and Origin

How the iGENEA DNA Test Changed My Perception of the Wendling Surname and My Family Identity

In a broader context of understanding my family history, the results from my iGENEA DNA test brought an astounding revelation. The findings have significantly altered my perspective of the Wendling surname and my family's identity, unearthing a rich cultural connection we possess with the ancient Celtic ethnicity that has been carried forward through centuries.

M. Wendling

Wendling: What does the surname Wendling mean?

The last name Wendling originates from the German language and is derived from the personal name Wendel, which was popular among medieval German speakers. The personal name is thought to have derived from the German word wenden, which means "to turn/return" or "to make a U-turn."

The Wendling surname was likely first used as a byname, given to a person who was always turning around or making a U-turn, perhaps due to being directionally challenged!

In modern times, people with the Wendling surname can be found throughout Germany as well as in other countries around the world. It is quite popular in Germany and North America, and those who bear the Wendling name are likely to be found in a variety of occupations and places. Most Wendling families are thought to have descended from a single ancestor, who may have arrived in their area during the Migration Period.

The Wendling name is seen as a symbol of strength and determination. Those with the Wendling surname believe that no matter what detours or challenges life throws at them, they will always find a way back.

Wendling: Where does the name Wendling come from?

The last name Wendling is most commonly found in Germany, where its original source likely emerged. Wendling generally referred to someone who was from the village of Wendlingen, which is located in the District of Esslingen, in the state of Baden-Württemberg.

Wendling can also be found in other countries, such as the United States. Records show that the name was recorded here as early as 1794, when Hartman Wendling settled in Philadelphia. By 1930, the Wendling family was widely distributed throughout the country, especially in the midwestern and western states such as Iowa, Nebraska, and California.

Today, the United States still has a significant presence of Wendlings. According to statistics from the 2018 US Census, the name is ranked at 14,369 of the most common names in the US, primarily found in New York (1,286 people) and Ohio (1,098).

It is important to note that people with the last name Wendling are not necessarily related. Trends in migration throughout the years have created an environment in which the Wendling name is widespread. Regardless, those who come from the same ancestral roots will share a common history and cultural roots traced back to Germany.

Variations of the surname Wendling

The surname Wendling is of German origin and may be spelled in several ways, depending upon the origin and region. Variations of Wendling include Wendelin, Wendel, and Wendeler. Wendling is a common name in Germany and Austria, and its various forms are found in Irish, Slovenian, and English-speaking countries in Europe and North America.

The German form of Wendling is Wändeling, which has also been Germanized to Vändel. The surname may also be found spelled as Venzelin, Winnemulda, Wennler, Wannemüller, Venzemühl, Vennemann, and Vennemn Öpfel. In Ireland, it is spelled Wendelen. In Slovenian, the spelling is Vendoelin.

In the United States, variations of the Wendling surname include Windling, Windline, Windlé, and Windley. Other related surnames in the United States include Windland, Winland, Wenland, Wemple, Wendle, and Wensley.

It is also common for many spelling variations of the Wendling surname to be combined into one surname, such as Venzemühl Wenling, Wendelin Vändel, and Wendeler Winemulda.

In many cases, the spelling of Wendling has likely been changed due to immigration, language, and religious and political differences.

Famous people with the name Wendling

• Don Wendling: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Robert Wendling: Pennsylvania-based organist, composer, and carillonneur
• Matthias Wendling: German sculptor
• Steve Wendling: Actor, writer, and stand-up comedian
• Tammy Wendling: TV presenter and former model
• Lucien Wendling: French waterilleuse
• Marie-Christine Wendling: Alsatian painter
• Paul-Ehrlich-Ardetz Wendling: German socialist, entrepreneur and inventor
• Tom Wendling: San Diego native, American singer/songwriter
• Shaun Wendling: Canadian actor and comedian

Other surnames

Wendlin