Surname Wesseler - Meaning and Origin
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Wesseler: What does the surname Wesseler mean?
The surname Wesseler is an occupational name, originating from the medieval German "wesseler", meaning a weaver or felt-maker. It is thought to have originated as a craft name as weavers in Germany traditionally used wessels to felt materials like wool. Weavers would often take the name Wesseler to distinguish themselves from other weavers from different regions.
The surname Wesseler is a widespread name, with its exact origins remaining unknown. It is likely that different families of Wesselers had multiple places of origin. As families of Wesselers migrated, this surname spread throughout Germany and throughout Europe. It was likely popularized through the industrialization of Europe during the 19th century, where the increased need for weavers meant that many Wesseler families moved to cities to ply their trade.
Today, the surname Wesseler is still strongly associated with weavers and felt-makers. However, it can now also be found among people who have no such connections, as the surname has been adopted by many families who have no direct links to weaving. It can also be found around the world, particularly in countries with large numbers of German immigrants.
Order DNA origin analysisWesseler: Where does the name Wesseler come from?
The last name Wesseler is most commonly found in Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria today. Wesseler is an occupational surname, derived from the Middle High German word "wesseler" meaning "cupbearer". The origins of this surname began in the Middle Ages when families who would practice the profession of cup bearer rose to prominence in Europe.
The majority of the Wesseler family lineage can be traced back to the Rhineland and the Palatinate regions in Germany. Over the years, some of the Wesseler line began to spread into France and Belgium as well as into parts of the Netherlands. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a significant number of Wesseler migrated to North America and can now be found throughout the United States and Canada.
It is also possible to find Wesselers living in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand today. These families are likely descendants of the original European Wesselers who moved to those countries at the start of the 20th century.
Overall, the Wesseler last name is still a relatively common one, with over 40,000 people carrying the surname worldwide today.
Variations of the surname Wesseler
The surname Wesseler is an occupational name from pre-medieval Europe which denotes an anglicization of Germanic peoples who engaged in the profession of shearing or selling wool. The most common spellings of this surname are Wesseler and Wessell. Other variants which are derived from the original root are Wessel, Wessely, Wässelt, Wössler, and Wössle.
The surnames derived from Wesseler are generally regional and cultural changes through the Middle Ages. In NordWingen, near Koblenz, Germany the spellings 'vom Weissler' or 'Weisslerz' could be found. 'Vom' and 'z' indicate bearers of the name who trace their ancestry through Johannes Weissler in 1699. In Lower Saxony, Germany, variant spellings Wesselmann and Wesselman were adopted by some families. The surname can also be seen in Austria, where the spelling 'Wesler' is most popular.
Surnames from Wesseler have been adopted in many parts of the world including the United States and England. In the U.S., the surname is often seen in various spellings including Wessels, Wessel, Wesseler, Wesler, and Wessell. In England, variants such as Wessel, Wessels, Wessell, and Wessels, are likely the most common.
All of the above spellings and surnames derived from the original Wesseler share a common origin. In the present day, research into family history can trace specific branches and spellings to their original source, allowing people to have a better understanding of their family roots.
Famous people with the name Wesseler
- Nicholas Wesseler: Nicholas is a Dutch football coach and manager who currently works with Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Netherlands as technical director.
- Dirk Wesseler: Dirk is a German football player and coach who is currently working as an assistant coach with Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga.
- Bob Wesseler:Bob is an American former professional baseball player. He spent seven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Cleveland Indians from 1988 to 1995.
- Paul Wesseler: Paul is a Dutch football manager and coach, who is currently working as the manager of amateur club, RKSV Brabantia.
- Jan Wesseler: Jan is a Dutch football coach and manager who currently works as the head coach of FC Twente in the Eredivisie.
- Rein Wesseler: Rein is a Dutch former professional footballer who played most of his career for HFC Haarlem.
- Christiaan Wesseler: Christiaan is a Dutch professional football manager and former player, who currently works as the head coach of FC Eindhoven.
- Steffen Wesseler: Steffen is a German journalist and film director. He has worked on a number of films such as "Verbotene Lieben", "Das perfekte Geheimnis" and "Lorschungsjahr".
- Casper Wesseler: Casper is a Dutch former professional footballer who played most of his career in the Dutch and German leagues.
- Herman Wesseler: Herman is a Dutch former cyclist who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics.