Surname Wenschuh - Meaning and Origin
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Wenschuh: What does the surname Wenschuh mean?
The last name Wenschuh is of German origin, and is a form of the name Wenschuhn, which means “little friends.” The name likely originated as a nickname meaning “close friends” or “children of good friends.” The name has Germanic roots, as the word for “friends” dates back to at least the 10th century, deriving from Proto-Germanic *winsoun.
The term wensch is related to the modern German word wenzel, which is a diminutive form of Wenz. This term is used for a close friend or companion, as well as to refer to a small, harmless creature. The Wenz family is believed to have gotten its name from this word.
Wenschuh is an occupational name meaning ‘slaughterman’ or ‘butcher.’ The surname is derived from the German word Wenschuh, which is related to the Middle High German word Wensch, meaning ‘slaughterer.’ This term is from Middle High German wensl, which simply means ‘to slaughter’ or ‘to butch.’
The name Wenschuh is found throughout Germany, particularly in Bavaria, and other countries of German origin such as Austria, Switzerland, and the United States, where it was adopted by immigrants to the country. Those bearing the name Wenschuh can trace their surname to the German-speaking regions of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisWenschuh: Where does the name Wenschuh come from?
The last name Wenschuh is most commonly found in Germany today, where the name is known to originate. It is believed to have come from a place-name in Pomerania (now in northwestern Poland) with the elements wend, (referring to the Slavic tribe of the same name), and schuh, meaning shoe-maker. Today, Wenschuh is quite common in Germany, with occurrences of the name found all over the country. According to Sterling Names, Slocum and Fox's 1907 book of German surnames, there were 257 individuals with the surname Wenschuh living in Germany in 1907.
The surname is also found in the United States, where immigration records have recorded many individuals with this last name entering the country during the late 19th and early-mid 20th centuries, primarily from Germany and Austria. Today, the name remains relatively common in the United States, with a relatively high occurrence in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and Illinois. There are also recorded occurrences of the name in Canada, often with the spelling transformed to Wenschu.
Overall, the last name Wenschuh is most commonly found in Germany today, with a relative prevalence in the United States and Canada. While the origin of the name is traced to a place-name in Pomerania, Germany remains the most popular place for individuals with the surname to be found today.
Variations of the surname Wenschuh
The surname Wenschuh is a German patronymic surname derived from the given name Wenceslaus. The origin of the name Wenceslaus is Latin and derived from the element "vaclao". As a result, the surname Wenschuh is encountered in all forms of Germanic languages, including English and Dutch.
In English and Dutch, the spelling of the surname Wenschuh is often Wanschuh. Other common spellings include Wanschu, Wasschu, Wonschu, Wonschuh, and Wonschau. These may also occasionally take the forms Wanzchuh and Wanschuhe.
The surname Wenschuh has also taken various forms derived from the given name Wenceslaus. Some of these variations are Wenczl, Vaclav, Vašek, Václav, Wense, Wension, Wenz, Wenzel, Wenzl, and Wenzle. In some cases, the surname Wenschuh has also been Anglicized to Winschuh, Winston, and Winslow.
Variants of the surname Wenschuh can also be found in some eastern European countries, such as Poland, where the surname may be spelled Wencław, Wenceław, Wencelaw, and Vencel. Similarly, in Slovakia the surname is often spelled Vencel, and in Hungary variants such as Vencel and Vencesla can be found. The German-American versions of the surname Wenschuh also often take the forms Wasschuh and Wanzschuh.
Famous people with the name Wenschuh
- Johannes Wenschuh: German footballer
- Klaus-Dieter Wenschuh: German plastic surgeon
- Udo Wenschuh: German Olympic sailor
- Georg Wenschuh: German TV talk show host
- Steve Wenschuh: American race car driver
- Martin Wenschuh: German actor and director
- Peter Wenschuh: German politician
- Hartmut Wenschuh: German biochemist
- Elizabeth Wenschuh: American philosopher
- Hans Wenschuh: Austrian film director