Surname Wodegnal - Meaning and Origin
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Wodegnal: What does the surname Wodegnal mean?
The surname Wodegnal is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German words "wode" and "gnaden" which together mean "wood grace". It was likely first used as a name for someone who lived and worked near a forest, or derived from the personal name Woden. This is a reference to the pagan deity Woden, associated with the Old Norse god Odin in Norse mythology.
The Wodegnal coat of arms features a black and white shield with a single golden lion rampant. This is likely a reference to Woden himself, given his connection to the lion as a symbol of strength and power.
The Wodegnal family has long been associated with Germany, as early records suggest they had settled in the Rhineland area by the mid-eighteenth century. By the nineteenth century, branches of the family had spread out to what is now modern-day Russia. More recently, members of the Wodegnal family have emigrated to the United States and other parts of the world.
Overall, it is clear that the Wodegnal family have a long and varied history, which speaks to their resiliency, strength and dedication. Their perseverance in the face of changing times and a global climate is admirable and noteworthy.
Order DNA origin analysisWodegnal: Where does the name Wodegnal come from?
The last name Wodegnal is most commonly found today in Germany. This name is a variant of the German surname Wodenkal, and it is derived from the Germanic forename Woden, which could also be spelt Wotan. Germanic names were commonly used in Germany during the Middle Ages.
In modern times, there are many people in Germany with the surname Wodegnal, especially in the western parts of the country. Most of them originate from the region of Westphalia, but the name is also present in Bavaria, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Thuringia. Additionally, Wodegnals have been found in more rural parts of Germany, like the Eifel and Hunsrück low mountain ranges, as well as in the Hegau region and in Bavarian Swabia.
The Wodegnal family name can also be found outside of Germany. Due to German emigration during the 18th to 20th centuries, Wodegnals can be found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, France, and the Netherlands.
Family names like Wodegnal are important ways to connect with history. This surname, as a reminder of Germanic times, reminds us of an important part of German culture, and can be used to explore our family histories and find our roots.
Variations of the surname Wodegnal
The surname Wodegnal is usually regarded as a variant of the German surname Wodenig. This spelling is thought to be derived from Wode or Woden, which are two variants of an Old German god figure by the same name, thought to be the Germanic equivalent of the Norse god Odin.
Other common variations and spellings of the surname Wodegnal include Wodenig, Wodnil, Wödenig, Wödnegg, Wodenigel, Wodnigg and Wödnik. One of the more uncommon variants is Wödeneche.
In addition to these variants, there are also some surnames that have been derived from Wodegnal , such as Wodhenig, Wodhenegk, Wodenigel, Wodenigher, Wodeneger, Wodengel, Wodenhammer and Wodenhausen. Furthermore, some families may have dropped the ‘W’ from Wodegnal and instead, used the surname Odenig, Odnil or Odeneche.
For those families that may have emigrated, some variants of the surname Wodegnal may have become adapted to the language of the country they moved to. In the United States, for example, the surname may be seen as Von Wodenig (rather than simply Wodenig), while in the United Kingdom, the variant Wodenicle may be seen. All in all, with its various spellings and derived surnames, there are several variants of the same origin for the surname Wodegnal.
Famous people with the name Wodegnal
- Andrea Wodegnal: snowboarder and Olympic athlete
- Ludwig Wodegnal: Austrian author and journalist
- Katerina Wodegnal: Czech artist
- Joško Wodegnal: Croatian politician
- Adolf Wodegnal: German sculptor and painter
- Woodrow Wodegnal: American football player
- Nika Wodegnal: Slovenian skier
- Karel Wodegnal: Czech violinist
- Jürgen Wodegnal: German handball player
- Corentin Wodegnal: French violinist
- Michael Wodegnal: German musician and composer