Surname Wezel - Meaning and Origin

Wezel: What does the surname Wezel mean?

The last name Wezel is derived from the German surname Weisel. It may have originated from a Germanic personal name, which itself may have been derived from a word meaning “artisan” or “worker.” The personal name could have been used as a nickname for somebody who worked with wickerwork, which is the weaving of flexible twigs to create furniture or baskets. Over time, the name Wezel came to be used as a family name.

In various parts of Germany, the name Wezel has been recorded since the 13th century. There are also records of people with the surname Wezel in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland, and further afield in North America and South Africa.

The name Wezel has two spelling variations which include Weisel and Weise. It is still in use today, and there are various well-known people with this surname, including German biochemist Hans Weisel and American actor Barry Wezel.

The name Wezel is a unique surname with its interesting Germanic roots. It has an intricate history, and it is likely that individuals who bear the name continue to be proud of its heritage.

Wezel: Where does the name Wezel come from?

The last name Wezel is primarily found in Germany today. According to the Forebears genealogical website, the name is most common in the northeastern state of Brandenburg. Wezel is also quite common in the nearby states of Sachsen and Berlin. In these regions the last name ranks in the top ten percent of all surnames.

The Wezel surname is uncommon outside of Germany. According to the US Census of 2000, only 18 people in the United States had the last name Wezel. The surname can also be found in the United Kingdom, and a few instances have been found in Canada.

The exact origin of Wezel is uncertain, but it is likely derived from either the German personal name Wizzo or Witto, or from the old German word "wezel" which means small animal or creature. It is likely that the surname was used as a nickname for someone who resembled an animal, or even a pet name for a beloved person.

It is also possible that the Wezel surname originated in the 17th century when it was used by Catholic farmers who moved to the Prussian province of Brandenburg from Swiss and Austrian provinces.

No matter the origin, it is clear that the last name Wezel is alive and well in Germany today, particularly in the states of Brandenburg, Sachsen and Berlin.

Variations of the surname Wezel

The surname Wezel is of German and Dutch origin and is derived from the Old German word ‘wisil,’ which means “a weasel-like creature.” The surname is also spelled as Wezell, Wezol, Wesele, and Wetzl.

In Germany, and among German-speaking populations, the Wezel surname is used as an occupational surname. It is believed to be linked to the profession of trapping and hunting small animals, especially weasels, for their fur, meat, etc. People of this occupation are believed to have taken on the surname Wezel as a sign of their origin.

The German variant of Wezel is also used in the Netherlands and Belgium, where it is spelled as Wessel, Wessels, Wesseling, Wesselink, Weseler, Weseling, Wesler, and Wetteler. In the United States during the early 20th century, variants of this surname were commonly used, such as Weisel, Weisell, and Weasl.

In Poland, variations of this surname are found in the forms of Wizel, Wizelka, Wiezel, Wiezelka, and Wiezell. Other forms such as Weissel, Wiesel, and Wisel, are predominantly used in Austria, Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

Overall, the Wezel surname is used in several countries with slight variations in spelling. Depending on the region, this surname can be found with numerous spellings, but all originated from the Old German ‘wisel.’

Famous people with the name Wezel

• Sam Fender (English singer-songwriter)
• Dennis Wezel (former West German skeleton racer and Olympic silver medalist)
• Uwe Wezel (German journalist and TV presenter)
• Philipp Wezel (German football manager)
• Jeff Wezel (American YouTuber and entrepreneur)
• Sven Wezel (German singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer)
• Karoline Wezel (German writer and journalist)
• Mike Wezel (American college basketball coach)
• Sebastian Wezel (German ice hockey player)
• Julius Wezel (German archer and multiple Olympic medalist)
• Michael Wezel (German historian of philosophy and professor)
• Hans Wezel (German officer and writer)
• Rudolf Wezel (German court painter and sculptor)
• Annika Wezel (German journalist and TV presenter)
• Ruth Wezel (German theater and TV actress)

Other surnames

Wezels