Surname Weßel - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test: Unraveling The Meaning of My Surname Weßel and Sensing My Heritage

The iGENEA DNA test reshaped my view on personal identity and heritage. Today, my surname, Weßel, isn't just a label; it represents a rich lineage and shared ancestry. It is a profound connection that ties me to my roots, providing a deeper understanding of who I am as part of a historical narrative.

B. Weßel

Weßel: What does the surname Weßel mean?

The last name Weßel is one of the oldest German surnames that can be found in the records of family names in Germany. The name is derived from the Old Germanic elements “wes”, which means “foreign”, and “el”, meaning “famous”. In the records, it appears as “Wezel” or “Wessel”.

Weßel is an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked as a weaver of fabric. Although the surname is derived from this profession, the family is also associated with the area of North Germany and East Prussia in particular. North German clans, which are prominent in the history of Prussia, often held the surname Weßel. It is possible that the family moved to the area from elsewhere.

The Weßel family can be found in Germany today, with examples of the surname living in different parts of the country. Some Weßels are also found elsewhere, including in the United States and other European countries.

The Weßel surname is a part of German history that can be traced back hundreds of years, and it is also a testament to the power of local communities to hold onto family names over hundreds of years regardless of where they originate from.

Weßel: Where does the name Weßel come from?

The last name Weßel is most common today in Germany and Austria. It is a Germanic name, originating in Germanic-speaking areas such as the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Denmark. Historically, the name was popular in northern Germany, particularly in the rural areas of former East Prussia which are now part of Poland.

In the 2017 U.S. census, 77 individuals reported the Weßel surname. Though the percentage of the population with the name is very small, its presence in the United States indicates continued migration from those Germanic areas. The U.S. states with the highest reported numbers of Weßel surnames are Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota.

The meaning of the name is still a subject of debate. It is thought to be derived from the Germanic 'wezel', which means either 'spear' or 'plenty'. Previously, the name has existed in various spellings including Viesel, Weisel and Weissel.

Today, the last name Weßel is most common in Germany and Austria, with about 4,100 people from these countries bearing the name. The population percentage is highest in the German state of Thuringia, followed by the states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria.

Despite its small presence in the United States, the last name Weßel continues to be an enduring one, with its roots stretching back to northern Germany.

Variations of the surname Weßel

The surname Weßel is believed to have originated in the region of Hesse, Germany. The most common variant spellings of the surname are Wessel, Wesel, Weisssel, Weisel, and Weiseler.

The surname Weisssel is a combination of the German words “weiß” and “sel”, meaning “white” and “place”, respectively. It is believed that this particular variation of the surname was originally used to designate people who lived near a white chalk cliff. Alternatively, it may also refer to a person who either lived near a white-coloured dwelling, or had a paleness of complexion.

The surname Wesel is believed to have originated as a locative name, denoting someone who was from a region of Hesse known as Wesel. It is also possible that this particular variation of the name was used to describe people who lived near a river or stream.

The surname Weisel is believed to have originated as an occupational name, denoting someone who was employed as a weaseler. This was a profession in which a person raised and trained small mammals, such as ferrets, to hunt for rabbits and other small animals.

The surname Weiseler is a combination of the words “Weisel” and “er”, and is believed to be a patronymic name, denoting someone who was the son of a Weisel.

Ultimately, all of these surnames are derived from the same origin, and are believed to have originated in Hesse, Germany.

Famous people with the name Weßel

• Amelie Weßel-de Boer: Singer-songwriter, pianist and composer from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
• Andreas Weßel: Former member of the German rock band Die Ärzte.
• Carsten Weßel: Painter and Graphic Artist from Hamburg, Germany.
• Friederike Weßel: Singer-songwriter from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
• Gero von Weßel: Painter and Fine Artist from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
• Jonas Weßel: Music Producer from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
• Lars Weßel: Multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
• Marta Weßel: Actress, television presenter and politician from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
• Matthias Weßel: Former professional German footballer.
• Paul Weßel: Actor, director and playwright from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Other surnames

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