Surname Widell - Meaning and Origin

Widell: What does the surname Widell mean?

The surname Widell is of Scandinavian origin, particularly from Sweden and Denmark. Despite its Nordic roots, the exact meaning of the surname Widell is not clearly defined. In many cases, Western European surnames are derived from a profession, a place, a father's first name, or a personal characteristic. The ending "ell" in Scandinavian names often means "small" or "little". The "Wid" part of the name does not have a clear translation, but it could possibly be derived from the Old Norse or Old High German word "vid," meaning "wood." Hence, a possible interpretation of Widell could be 'little wood" or "small forest." However, as with many surnames, it is challenging to determine the exact historical intent and development without comprehensive lineage data. Thus, it's always best to look into one's own genealogical information for a more accurate idea of the name's significance within a specific familial context.

Widell: Where does the name Widell come from?

The last name Widell is quite common in Sweden today, with over 5,000 people in the country carrying the name. Scandinavia is also one of the leading areas in Europe to have this name, in Finland and Denmark.

More broadly, the name can be found in countries across Europe including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland. It is also present in North and South America, and Canada.

Widell is a surname that is derived from a common occupational name in Scandinavia. This surname was applied to individuals who worked as a village warden or overseer. The surname is composed of two Old Norse elements, ‘viðr’ meaning ‘wood’ and ‘ell’ meaning ‘single’, ‘one’, or ‘only’, implying ‘one who is in charge of the woods’. It has remained relatively common over time, and long-established families have held it for multiple generations.

The current distribution of the name is quite widespread, but broader trends reveal an increasing presence in the United States, with a noticeable growth in recent decades. The most populous Widell settlements in the United States today are in California and New York.

Widell remains a relatively common last name to this day. Despite minor variations in spelling, its long history is evident in the way it is still present in various countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Widell

Widell is a rare and relatively unusual Swedish surname. It is also spelled Vidahl, Vidall, Widahl, Widell, Widwall, Wiedahl, Widdel, Widhal, Widhall, Widwill, and Wydahl.

The surname is derived from the Old Norse personal name Vidhāl, which was composed of elements vidh, meaning "wood", and hāl, meaning "rock". This suggests someone who lived near a hill covered with trees.

In Sweden, the surname Widell was associated with several noble families originating around the Medelpad province in the 1700s. The family crest includes three black leopards' heads in a gold shield. In the 1800s, members of the Widall family were officers in the Swedish army.

Variants of Widell have developed in other parts of the world, including Widhal, which is found in America. Widall is also a common surname in Finland and is derived from the given name Wido. Other spellings include the German Widall, and the Dutch Widoll.

The surname Widhal is particularly common in England. It is derived primarily from the given name Wida, and is thought to have originated in German-speaking countries. Widell is also a common surname in Norway, and is derived from a combination of the Norwegian given name Vidar and the Old Danish male given name Helle. Variants of Widell are found in Scotland, too, and the most common of these is Wydel.

Famous people with the name Widell

• Astrid Widell: Swedish author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and businesswoman.
• Hal Widell: American actor, producer, and sketch comedian.
• Magnus Widell: Former Swedish professional football goalkeeper.
• Richard Widell: Former American football player.
• Severin Widell: Swedish figure skater, twice Winter Olympics competitor and 13-time Swedish National champion.
• Carl Widell: Swedish hockey player.
• Karin Widell: Swedish athlete, winner of the 1500-meter freestyle at the 1981 World Aquatics Championships.
• Mika Widell: Finnish former ice hockey goaltender who competed at the 1964 Winter Olympics.
• Gunnar Widell: Swedish track and field athlete specialising in the 400 metres hurdles.
• Carl Widell Jr.: Swedish hockey player.
• Oskar Widell: Swedish sport shooter who competed in the 1911 Intercalated Games.
• Arne Widell: Swedish chess player and three-time Sweden champion.
• Emanuel Widell: Swedish alpine skier who competed at the 1936 Winter Olympics.
• Bengt Widell: Swedish ice hockey player and Olympic bronze medalist at the 1948 Winter Games.
• Jimmy Widell: Swedish cross-country skier who competed at the 1972 Winter Olympics.
• Per-Arne Widell: Swedish short-track speed skater who competed in two Winter Olympics.
• Pär Widell: Swedish synchronised swimmer who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics.
• Roland Widell: Swedish bobsledder who competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics.
• Pavla Widell: Swedish former swimmer who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Caroline Widell: Swedish orienteering competitor, active from the late 1960s to the early 1980s and an individual bronze medallist at the 1979 World Orienteering Championships.

Other surnames

WidelecWidelitz