Surname Westphahl - Meaning and Origin
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Westphahl: What does the surname Westphahl mean?
The last name Westphahl is derived from an old German name that was derived from a geographic region. The region is located in western Germany and is called Westfalen in German. Depending on the dialect, this name can be spelled Westphahl, Westfahl or Westphol.
The word Westfalen or Westphahl is derived from the old Germanic word ‘falgen’, meaning a marshy area or wetland which was frequently crossed. The marshy area was located in the West Germanic part of the region known as the Lower Rhine which encompasses parts of both the modern-day Netherlands and Germany.
It is possible that Westphalen was an ancient tribal name and later became used as a family or clan name. Over time the name became Westphahl and was adopted as a surname. It is likely that those with the surname are descendants of individuals originally belonging to the Westphalen region.
The modern-day equivalent of the name Westphahl in Germany is Westfalen and is still a region in the country. Today those with the last name Westphahl can trace their ancestry back to the region and denote themselves as either being of a Germanic or Dutch origin.
Order DNA origin analysisWestphahl: Where does the name Westphahl come from?
The last name Westphahl is most common in Germany today. It originates from a region in Germany known as Westphalia, which is located in the western region of the country.
In the Middle Ages, Westphalia was a duchy and its inhabitants began to adopt the name Westphahl. Over time, the Westphahl surname spread across Germany as people moved in search of jobs and new opportunities. It’s now especially common amongst the population of the North-Rhine Westphalia region, which, as its name suggests, encompasses the historic Westphalia region. The name is also well-known in other parts of Germany including Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia, and Saxony.
It’s believed that there are no less than 5,000 Westphahl families living in Germany today. Beyond the country’s borders, the surname is also common amongst German diaspora groups in the USA, Australia, and Canada. The name is also found in countries as far flung as Iceland, India, and Finland.
Regardless of where they live, all bearers of the Westphahl name can take pride in its 400-year-old roots in Germany.
Variations of the surname Westphahl
Westphahl is a German surname derived from the Old Germanic word "westfal," meaning "west region." This surname has many variants, spellings, and other surnames with the same origin.
The spelling of Westphahl could also be Westphal, Westphale, Westfahl, Westfaal, Westfaal, Westphall, Westfall, and Westphael.
Variant surnames derived from Westphahl include Westphalen, Westfahln, Westfahlen, Westfallen, Westphaler, Westphalers, Westfalers, Westphaeler, Westfeler, Westfeller, Westphalers, and Westfale.
Other surnames of the same origin include Brett, Bred, Prewitt, Pruett, Precht, Prechtel, Petty, and Pettit.
Spelling variations of Westphahl found in various parts of the world include Wesfall, Wesfaal, Wesfeler, Wesfell, Wesphahl, Vestepe, Wespala, Vestepel, Vestobel, Vestobohl, Vestebel, Vestebohl, Vestevel, Veztapetl, Bestepel, and Vestevill.
Westphahl is common in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. It is a fairly common name in the States, as well.
Famous people with the name Westphahl
- David Westpfahl: He is an American journalist, author, and playwright. His works include “The Magnificent Seven: Miniature Masterpieces from the American West" and the play "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid".
- Sarah Westpfahl: She is a British fashion designer who has had her work showcased in numerous outlets such as Vogue, Glamour, and WWD.
- Günter Westpfahl: He is a German sculptor known for his abstract works in stone, iron, wood, and metal.
- Frank Westpfahl: He is a German circus performer and acrobat who has been a part of the famous “Circus Westpfahl” for the past five decades.
- Werner Westpfahl: He is a Swiss-born American film producer and stunt coordinator best known for his work on films such as "Die Hard" and the "Mission Impossible" series.
- Ursula Westpfahl: She is a German actress and model known for her appearances in "Herzblüten", "Dark Angel", and "The Crotchety Old Man".
- Frederic Westpfahl: He is a Swedish architect whose works include the Royal Palace of Stockholm and the Kölnbrein Dam.
- Jörg Westpfahl: He is an Austrian triathlete who won gold at the 2012 European Championship in the mixed relay event.
- Paul Westpfahl: He is a Swiss soccer player who currently plays for FC Sion.
- Jan Westpfahl: He is a Norwegian racecar driver who competes in the NASCAR Euro Series.