Surname Wodehnal - Meaning and Origin
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Wodehnal: What does the surname Wodehnal mean?
The last name Wodehnal is of German origin, first found in Bavaria where the family made great contributions to the region's feudal societies.
The name Wodehnal is derived from the Old German words "wodeh", which means 'wood', and "hnal", which means 'border'. This suggests that the original bearer of the name likely lived near a border of a forest.
Over time, the name Wodehnal evolved into a hereditary surname. It also became a popular choice among immigrants to America in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
It is believed that families bearing this name were often prosperous landowners, similar to the English counterparts of similar surnames. They spent their days outdoors as foresters, archers, and hunters, all of which drew upon the woodsman's knowledge of the forests nearby.
Today, the last name Wodehnal is still relatively popular in the United States, as people bearing the name continue to contribute to society and pass down their ancestral traditions. Those with this surname may take pride in the legacy of their German heritage, as it connects them to a centuries-old tradition of living off the land.
Order DNA origin analysisWodehnal: Where does the name Wodehnal come from?
The last name Wodehnal is of German descent and is primarily found within modern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is most common in the southern region of Germany and extends into Austria and Switzerland, however the greatest concentration today is within western Germany.
The meaning of the surname Wodehnal is believed to derive from the Old German word 'wod' which literally translates to ‘wood’ and 'ahn' which roughly translates to 'honor'. Therefore, it likely references an ancestor who had a positive reputation or a special connection to the forests. It can also derive from 'wodenahl', a locational place name referencing a valley in Bavaria.
Wodehnal is a rare last name; records from 2019 indicate that there were only 288 people with that surname in Germany, 18 in Austria, and 5 in Switzerland. Owing to the namesake’s German origin, it is not widely known outside of those countries. This might be due in part to the Second World War and the subsequent consequences of migration and changing surnames, as faced by many German families. Records also show that the surname has stayed largely consistent in the countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, suggesting that Wodehnals moved relatively little and the surname remains in the same region to this day.
Variations of the surname Wodehnal
The surname Wodehnal has several variants, spellings, and alternate surnames of the same origin. In German, it is spelled "Wödehnal", with the letter ö taking the place of the e. In Czech, it is spelled "Voděhnál". In Polish the name is spelled as "Wodzhnal". In other languages such as Hungarian and Slovak, the name is spelled as "Vodehnál" and "Vodenhnal".
Descendants of the original German Wodehnal family have adopted different spellings of the name. It is often seen as Wadenal, Woudenal and Woutenal due to phonemic changes to the original language over time.
The Wodehnal surname was further adapted to varying languages and cultures through migrations to other parts of the world. In America, its many alternate spellings include Wodhanel, Wadenall, Woudahl, Woodhull, and Wadhams. In the United Kingdom, it has been Anglicised and is recorded as Wadham and Wadhams.
The Wodehnal surname has been preserved and kept alive in various parts of the world. While the spelling of the name may have changed to a variety of alternate spellings over time, descendants can still trace their ancestry to the Wodehnal family.
Famous people with the name Wodehnal
- Willem Wodehnal: Dutch singer and songwriter from the Hague.
- Tom Wodehnal: former professional American football player.
- Dr. Lisa Wodehnal: female Arthroscopic Sports Medicine Surgeon in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Dr. Richard Wodehnal: Epidemiologist with expertise in Neglected Tropical Diseases in Washington, D.C.
- Dr. Margarita Wodehnal: Mexican Information Architect and Software Engineer in New York City.
- Chris Wodehnal: CEO of Biolab Solutions, a health IT company in Austin, Texas.
- Tom Wodehnal Jr: professional basketball player who currently plays in the German Bundesligasaison.
- Erich Wodehnal: Chef of the famous Vienna based restaurant Wodehnal specializing in traditional Austrian cuisine.
- Lisa Wodehnal: German TV actress who was most famous for her role in the TV series Verliebt in Berlin.
- Mark Wodehnal: Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks.