Surname Wennel - Meaning and Origin
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Wennel: What does the surname Wennel mean?
The last name Wennel is thought to have originated in Germany. It is a surname derived from the German word, "wann," meaning “when”. The ending, "el," is the diminutive suffix, and is commonly used to show familiarity and endearment. Thus, when taken together, the surname Wennel could be interpreted as meaning "little when."
The name Wennel has been found in church records and other records as early as the 16th century, mostly in the German states of Bavaria, Baden and Rhineland-Palatinate. Maximilian Wennel even served as leader of a ten-piece band in Bavaria during the late 1680’s.
Today, the last name Wennel is not overly common but can be found across the world. There have been references to people with the surname Wennel in Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Canada. The name Wennel can still be found in Germany, especially in Bavaria and in Baden-Württemberg.
The Wennel name carries on a tradition of family, as well as historical and cultural ties to the German region. It’s also a reminder of times gone by, with its roots in the diminutive of the German word “when.”
Order DNA origin analysisWennel: Where does the name Wennel come from?
The last name Wennel is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. According to genealogical research, the origin of this name is Dutch and is derived from the personal name "Willem." The name may have been a patronymic form of Willem, meaning "son of Willem." It was likely adopted by some German speaking families in the 1700s or 1800s.
In Germany, the name Wennel is concentrated in the state of Baden-Württemberg, which is the third-largest state in Germany by population. A surname distribution map compiled by the website Verwandt.de shows that there is a particularly high concentration of Wennel in the Neckar-Odenwald region of the state, around the cities of Neckarzimmern and Adelsheim.
The name is much less common in Austria, but has been recorded in some parts of the country, particularly around Vienna and other more populous cities and towns. It should be noted that the spelling of the name varies in some parts of the German-speaking world. “Wennel” is most widely used in Germany and Austria, but it is also encountered as “Wennell,” “Wennemer” and “Wennemuth.”
Variations of the surname Wennel
The surname Wennel is an Americanized version of the German surname Wennell. It is related to the surnames and variants Wenning, Wennig, Wennemann, Wennmann, Wenneck, and Wenner. It can also be spelled as Wennnele, Wennnelle, Wennelle, Wenel, Wenele and Venel.
The surname originated as a Schwartz surname in the arctic regions of Germany. It is also found in the southern and central German regions of Bavaria and Germany. This surname is also found in the Dutch Low countries. It is believed to have been brought to America during the waves of German immigration.
The alternate spelling of Wennel is Wenel, which is the Dutch variation of the name. Other variations of this name are Wennele and Wenneler.
The variants of Wennel include the forms Wanni, Wannib, Wannibr, Wenninel, Wennickel, Wennigk, and Wennka. There is also the diminutive form of Wennle, which is used in the Low Countries.
The name is sometimes also spelled as Wenell, Wenny, Wennick, Winnel, and Winne. Other variant spellings are Wennmann, Wenemann, Wenne, Wennemember, and Winnmann.
Wennel is often a surname found among Jewish families. Among the Ashkenazim, it is found in the spelling of Venel or Venila. There are several other Yiddish spellings including Winal, Winnet, Vinal and Winel.
Overall, Wennel is a surname derived from the German region of Germany, although over time it has been adapted to different spelling variations and other countries.
Famous people with the name Wennel
- Paul Wennel: American film and television director; best known for directing episodes of shows such as Coach, Wings, Malcolm in the Middle, Mad About You, and Friends
- Robert Wennel: Attorney who served as a judge on the Florida Second District Court of Appeal from 1991 to 2001
- Molly Wennel: American actress, best known for her role as Mary Flynn in the TV movie 'Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme'
- Marcus Wennel: German singer and songwriter
- Doug Wennel: American professional golfer
- David Wennel: Retired professional hockey player who played for teams such as the San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens, and Chicago Blackhawks
- Jürgen Wennel: Former German footballer
- Gitta Wennel: German soprano known for her roles in operas by Handel and Mozart
- Patrick Wennel: German ice hockey player
- Anna Wennel: Swedish concert harpist and professor at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm