Surname Wognar - Meaning and Origin
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Wognar: What does the surname Wognar mean?
The last name Wognar is of German origin and is believed to have derived from the Old German word "wagnari", which means "warrior" or "fighter". This name was likely given to persons of a noble or military background.
In the Middle Ages, individuals with this surname were often found among the knights, mercenaries and landholders who served in the service of the Emperor, and also in the minor nobility. They were also found among the merchant class, as the name also evolved to mean "trader" or "merchant".
The Wognar surname is popular in countries with German-speaking populations, such as Germany, Austria, Hungary and Switzerland. It is also common in several other countries due to nineteenth-century emigration, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
Today, people with the Wognar surname are found in many different professions such as law, medicine, teaching, and business. There are also many who have continued the longtimemedieval tradition of being involved in the military. All of this reflects the courage and strength of this surname—something that can trace its origins to medieval Germany and its warriors.
Order DNA origin analysisWognar: Where does the name Wognar come from?
The last name Wognar is most commonly found in Europe and North America today. In the United States, the Wognar family is most concentrated in the states of California and Pennsylvania.
In Europe, the number of people with the surname Wognar is highest in Austria. This concentration is mainly due to the trend of Austrians relocating to other countries since World War II.
There is also a large concentration of the Wognar name in the Czech Republic. This is due to a large influx of Czech immigrants to the United States and Canada between 1850 and 1914.
The last name Wognar is also quite common in Australia and New Zealand. These countries have seen an increase in immigrants from Austria and the Czech Republic since the late 20th century.
Overall, the last name Wognar is most commonly found in Europe and North America today. The Czech Republic, Austria, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are the countries which experience the highest concentrations of the surname.
Variations of the surname Wognar
The surname Wognar is believed to be of Germanic origin and is primarily located in Europe. It has various spellings and variations that are known to exist. Some examples include Wogger, Vognar, Vogner, Vognar, Vogener, Wiognar, Wogenar, Wagener, Wogener, Woganer, Wogener, Vâgner, Voner, Vauner, Vugher, Vouger, Vaunar, Voughner, Wogeenar, and Wougher.
The majority of variations derived from the original surname can be traced back to the countries of Germany and Holland. While the surname is used in both countries, variations in spelling appear to be localized. For instance, Vaunar and Vougher are the most common spellings in Holland, while Woganer and Wagener are the most common spellings in Germany. Additionally, some localized spellings were historically found only in specific areas within these countries.
In the United States, the most common spelling of this surname is Wogenar. Generally, the various spellings of this surname remained distinct throughout the centuries. However, due to immigration patterns, some variations and spellings began to merge in the early 20th century as people relocated from Europe to other countries, such as the United States.
Despite the various spellings, most people with this surname share a common heritage and ancestry, and often have common ancestral names and places of origin. Ultimately, all the variations of the surname Wognar are linked to its Germanic origins and to the family's original homeland.
Famous people with the name Wognar
- Rachel Wognar: Rachel Wognar is an American attorney and politician serving as the California State Senator for the 29th District from 2019 to present. She is the youngest woman to serve in the Senate and has previously held positions in the California State Assembly and in John Chiang's gubernatorial campaign.
- William Wognar: William Wognar is an American actor and producer who has appeared in films such as War of the Worlds, The Sopranos, and The Dark Knight Rises. He has also been nominated for an Emmy award and a Golden Globe award for his acting in Boardwalk Empire.
- Joe Wognar: Joe Wognar was a professional boxer who held the World Middleweight title multiple times from 1922 to 1924. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2002 in recognition of his achievements.
- Len Wognar: Len Wognar was an American businessman and entrepreneur who founded the California-based clothing company Nautica in 1983. He was also an ardent philanthropist, supporting organizations such as the University of Rochester, the American Red Cross, and the Jewish Federation in Los Angeles.
- Alex Wognar: Alex Wognar is a Canadian DJ and music producer whose releases have been described as "taking the melodic and progressive house scene to its highest levels". He has collaborated with several of the world's top DJs, including Tiësto and Martin Garrix.
- Alan Wognar: Alan Wognar was a Canadian Olympian who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics. He finished 22nd in the men's four-man bobsleigh event, setting a Canadian record at the time. He was also a competitive ski jumper and cyclist in his spare time.