Surname Wodal - Meaning and Origin
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Wodal: What does the surname Wodal mean?
The last name Wodal is a Germanic and Dutch surname thought to have derived from the nickname ‘Wod’. This nickname is thought to have been used to refer to an individual who exhibited characteristics such as leadership, strength and a warrior spirit.
The nickname ‘Wod’ is thought to have come from the Old Germanic word ‘wald’, which means "to lead". This leader/warrior nickname and eventually surname may have been used to describe a chieftain, a powerful member of a tribe or group of people. Over time, it evolved into ‘Wodal’, and would then have been carried down through the generations as a family name.
The Wodal surname can be found in many different countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States. Common variations of the surname include Wodel, Wodell, Wodley, and Wodell.
Despite its warrior-like origin, the meaning of Wodal family name, today, is simply “descendant of Wod” or “son of Wod”. Many individuals who carry this name proudly carry on the legacy of being someone who is strong, brave and prepared to lead and protect.
Order DNA origin analysisWodal: Where does the name Wodal come from?
The last name Wodal is quite a rare surname, with records of its origins going back to the 15th century in Europe. It is most commonly found in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. In Norway, the name Wodal is most commonly associated with a region called Nord-Trøndelag. In the early 17th century, the name Wodal began to spread to other parts of Norway, particularly Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim.
The name also spread to Sweden during the 18th century, but was usually changed to the Swedish form of Wodahl. It is found mainly in the provinces of Västerbotten and Uppsala, though small pockets of Wodal families are found in other parts of Sweden as well. In Finland, the name is relatively rare but is found in the southern part of the country, around the cities of Porvoo and Helsinki.
Apart from those countries, the Wodal surname is found in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Immigrants from Norway, Sweden, and Finland brought the name to those countries in the 19th and 20th centuries. Historically, the most common places of origin for the Wodal last name are Norway and Sweden, but today it can be found in much of the English-speaking world.
Variations of the surname Wodal
The surname Wodal has multiple variants, alternate spellings, and surnames of similar origin. Variants of the surname, which are phonetic or minor variations in spelling, include Wodall, Woodall, Wadall, Woddell, Woodell, Weddell, and other similar spellings.
Surnames of similar origin are Wadle, Wadley, Wode, Wodden, Woode, Woden, and Woddin. These surnames have Anglo-Saxon roots and refer to a traveler, woodsman, one who worked with wood, or one who hailed from a particular wooded area.
The surname Wodal also may be spelled Wdall and the surname Woodall may, in some cases, be a variation of the German name Wodal.
In some instances, Wodal is an Americanization of the German surname Weidenberg. It may have also originated among Frenchspeaking people in Canada who had adapted the name from the French variation of the previous German name, Wehdeberg.
The surname Wodal is a patronymic name, meaning that it is derived from the given name of the father. Thus, it may be appropriate to assume that the original bearer of the surname was the son of a man named Woda, Wody, or Wodt.
Regardless of its origin, the surname Wodal is typically linked to the roots of the English and German language. It is believed to have been first introduced to England in the 11th century and by people connected with the Norman conquest of 1066.
It is possible that just as early English surnames were adopted from French and Germanic sources, the Wodal surname may have been adopted in various countries, possibly because of its attractive-sounding combination of vowels and consonants.
Famous people with the name Wodal
- Aparna Wodal- An Indian film actress and singer.
- Jens Wodal- A Norwegian actor.
- Jessica Wodal- An American actress and comedian.
- Joe Wodal- An American professional bowler.
- Kenneth Wodal- A Canadian songwriter and producer.
- Marisa Wodal- An American actress and executive producer.
- Mary Wodal- An Australian actress, singer, and voice artist.
- Matthew Wodal- An American actor, writer, and producer.
- Nils Wodal- A Norwegian ice hockey player and coach.
- Phil Wodal- An American professional golfer.
- Robert Wodal- An American antiques dealer.
- Sabrina Wodal- An American theatrical music composer and producer.
- Sam Wodal- An American former college football player and coach.
- Sarah Wodal- An American practical nurse and legal analyst.
- Stephen Wodal- An American physician and investor.
- Thor Wodal- A Norwegian professional football player.
- Thomas Wodal- A Slovakian professional ice hockey player.
- Tonya Wodal- An American certified nurse-midwife.
- William Wodal- An American musician, songwriter, and record producer.