Surname wensell - Meaning and Origin

wensell: What does the surname wensell mean?

The last name Wensell is of German origin from the Middle High German term wenz or wense, which means 'guardian'. This surname has been found to originate in areas of Bavaria, Austria, and Switzerland. Many Wensell family members were prominent farming families throughout Europe. The name is derived from the medieval profession of 'guardian'. A guardian was responsible for the protection of woods or crops, or to protect legal rights and privileges.

The spelling of the name has changed over time, with many family members now adopting alternative spellings such as Wenzell, Wensle, Wenzl, Wensl, and Wenzl. The spelling of the name also changed in America, as it was often recognized and written as Wensill, Wensyl, Wensing, Wensil, and Wensill.

Today, the Wensell family name is used by a variety of individuals, including politicians, business owners, entrepreneurs, and real estate professionals. Common traits which may be associated with those who carry the name are intelligence, education, and ambition. Family members who carry the Wensell surname often strive to make their mark in society, and have a strong work ethic and dedication to achieving success.

The Wensell surname continues to be a recognizable name in all parts of the world, and is a reminder of the hardworking individuals who upheld the guardian profession many centuries ago.

wensell: Where does the name wensell come from?

The last name Wensell is most common in countries such as Germany, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Poland, France, and the United States. It is not an especially common name, but can be found in quite a few countries.

In the United States, Wensell is concentrated in the New York and Pennsylvania areas. According to the US Census of 2010, it is most prevalent in Armstrong County, PA where it ranks 125th in population, and Warren County, PA where it ranks 124th.

In Germany, according to Population Register Statistics of 2019, Wensell is most prevalent in the Schleswig-Holstein region, where it ranks 8,738th in terms of population.

In France, Wensell is most present in the Paris region. According to the INSEE census of 2017, it ranks 32,912th in terms of prevalence.

Given its presence in many countries, the Wensell surname is of multiple origins and is likely a derivative of multiple other surnames. It is hard to pinpoint its exact origin, though it is likely related to the German and French words Wensch and Wanssch which mean “Wise” and “guardian of the forest” respectively.

The prevalence of the name changes from country to country, but is generally low as it is not a particularly common surname. However, it can still be found in quite a few countries and even in some US States.

Variations of the surname wensell

Wensell is one of many variants of the surname Wensle, which is derived from the Old English personal name Wsetlinc. Originally, Wensle signified the bearer's relationship to someone named Wsetlinc, and his descendants continued to use this surname as their family identity.

The earliest Wensle forms were found in records from the late 14th century. Common spellings evolved over time due to the prevalence of illiteracy and regional dialects. The earliest known variant of Wensle is Wencel, although other variants, such as Wenczel, Wensel, Wenszel, and Wensell, have surfaced since then. The prevalence of vowel dropping in Middle English and regional dialects may explain why some spellings of the surname lack the extra “e” found in the original.

Depending on the era and country of origin, the surname Wensle could also appear as Wenczel, Wensell, Wensel, or Wenszel. In certain areas, such as North America, additional spellings of Westlake, Westlock, Westlick, and Wextle are quite prevalent. These spellings appear to be derived from phonetic renderings of the old English personal name.

In addition to the variants of the surname Wensle, there are some related surnames of the same origin. These include Wenzel, Wenthal, Wonsel, Wacial, Winslow, and Windle. Similarly, certain indigenous names, such as Wedlick and Westlook, may also be derived from the Wensle surname.

In conclusion, the Wensle surname can assume many forms, including multiple variants and surnames related to the same origin.

Famous people with the name wensell

• Scott Wenssell: actor best known for his roles in the series 'Tremors' and 'Transparent'.
• Michael Wenssell: Swedish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Kalmar FF.
• Dawn Wenssell: American professional golfer who has won multiple championships on the LPGA Tour.
• Jennifer Wenssell: Australian professional tennis player who competed on the WTA tour in the 1990s.
• Emily Wenssell: British television actress who has appeared in a number of TV shows ranging from 'Casualty' to 'Silent Witness'.
• Will Wenssell: American stand-up comedian and actor best known for his comedy specials on Comedy Central.
• Shaun Wenssell: English singer-songwriter who has been releasing solo albums since 1997.
• John Wenssell: journalist and writer for The New York Times, National Review and The Atlantic.
• Michael Wenssell: German jazz saxophonist and composer who has released a number of solo albums.
• André Wenssell: Swedish television personality and entrepreneur who is best known for his work as a presenter for SVT Sveriges Television.

Other surnames

wensel