Surname Wetzl - Meaning and Origin
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Wetzl: What does the surname Wetzl mean?
The last name Wetzl is a German surname meaning “wetness.” It was most likely derived from the Middle High German word “wetsil," which related to the idea of walls and ditches that were flooded or water-filled. As such, the name likely began as a descriptive nickname for someone who lived in the vicinity of such a structure.
In more recent times, the name Wetzl has likely been used to refer to a living situation as well. For example, someone who was constantly surrounded by water or whose living space was in constant need of drying out would be given the Wetzl surname. Over the years, this eventually evolved into an actual family name.
The Wetzls were known to be industrious folk and often made their living through farming, mining, and construction work. As such, it is probably safe to assume that they are hard-working and resourceful people.
The Wetzl name is quite common in Bavaria and Austria, which further cements the assumption that the people bearing this name originally hail from those regions. A number of bearers of the Wetzl name can be found in the United States as well, settling in New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and other parts of the country.
While the exact details of the background and history of the Wetzl name remain unclear, it is clear that this surname has been used and passed down for many generations.
Order DNA origin analysisWetzl: Where does the name Wetzl come from?
The last name Wetzl is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is one of the oldest surnames in Central Europe, dating back to medieval times. The name is derived from the German word “wetzl” which means wetland. It is believed the original Wetzl family lived near a marshland and adopted the name as their family identity.
In modern times, the Wetzl name is most concentrated in Austria and Germany. According to a 2020 census analysis, in Austria more than 5,000 people have the last name, accounting for 0.016% of the population. In Germany, approximately 6,000 people share the last name, representing 0.008% of the population.
In the Czech Republic, the name is less common, with just over 1,000 people carrying the name, representing 0.008% of the population. Similarly, the name is relatively rare in Switzerland, where just over 1,000 people are registered with the last name. In Liechtenstein, the name is among one of the most rarely found surnames, with fewer than 50 people carrying the last name.
Although the last name is most concentrated in Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, people with the Wetzl surname also live in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Wetzl
The surname Wetzl is a German and Austrian surname derived from the term Wetzel, which is derived from the word 'wetz', meaning 'sharp'. It can also be spelled as Wetzel, Vetzel, Wetzeler, Vetzeler, Wetzelin, Vetzelin, Wezle, Vetzle, Wezler, Vetzler, Wezelin, Vetzelin, Wetzler, Wetzlar, Wetzlin, and Vetzlin.
In German speaking countries, the surnames are often created by adding an suffix to denote origin or profession. With the surname Wetzl, the suffix '-er' is usually added, indicating one is from Wetzel's family. This surname can also appear as variations including Wetzzer, Wetzere, Wezzer, Wezere, Vetzere, and Vetzzer.
In ancient German, the use of the term Wetzel and all its variations was used to denote a person who may have been a blade or archer. This could suggest if one was of the Wetzel family, they may have had a profession involving precision and sharpness, such as a blacksmith or toolmaker.
In America, the surname Wetzl is quite popular. It is one of the top 02 surnames among German immigrants to America. The spelling in America often varies slightly, with some roots of the surname being spelled 'Vetzel' or 'Vetzle'.
In succeeding generations, the spelling of the surname has sometimes been changed from Wetzl to have a more distinct spelling. For example, the name Wetzler could become Wetzeler, and the name Wetzelin could become Vetzelin.
In general, the surname Wetzl has many variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. While the name is often associated with professions of precision, it is also quite popular among German immigrants to America.
Famous people with the name Wetzl
- Johann Georg Wetzl (17th-century composer from Olmütz, Austria)
- Sebastien Wetzl (Canadian field hockey player on the Olympic and World Cup teams)
- Richard Wetzl (known for his studies on stress tolerance in Medicago truncatula, a model legume)
- Josef Wetzl (Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist)
- Michel Wetzl (Austrian trombonist and composer)
- Joely Wetzl (CPA and founder of Tax Power, a tax planning company)
- William Wetzl (Brigadier General in the United States Air Force)
- Karl Wetzl (organist, composer and music director from Germany)
- Maureen Wetzl (attorney and former Republican candidate for the California State Assembly)
- Todd Wetzl (American college basketball coach and former player)
- Philipp Wetzl (Austrian alpine skier who competed in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup)
- Jan-Hendrik Wetzl (German politician and author of “The Political Parties in Germany” )
- George Wetzl (American social justice activist from the 1960s)
- Wolfgang Wetzl (co-founder of the Austrian charity and social care provider, Diakonie)
- Alfred Wetzl (19th-century Austrian composer and teacher)