Surname Wölzel - Meaning and Origin
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Wölzel: What does the surname Wölzel mean?
The last name Wölzel is a German occupational surname that has its origins in the Middle Ages. The name comes from the German word ‘Wölfel’ or ‘Wölfeler’, which was an occupational name given to individuals who worked with or owned wolves. These individuals typically hunted, farmed or trained wolves, which was a common profession in medieval Germany.
The suffix ‘el’ or ‘er’ was added to indicate that someone bore an occupational surname and could indicate a connection to the same profession. In some cases, individuals with the same surname could both have the same ancestor, while others may have been unrelated.
Over the years, the spelling of the surname changed multiple times, with the ‘ü’ being added in some cases to distinguish it from other Wölfeler surnames. Today, Wölzel is the most common spelling of the surname and it is found most frequently in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The last name Wölzel still carries the occupational roots of its original basis today. Those who bear the name are often associated with a variety of trades and activities. This includes occupations such as hunters, carpenters, farmers and blacksmiths, among others.
Order DNA origin analysisWölzel: Where does the name Wölzel come from?
The surname Wölzel is most prevalent in countries of Eastern Europe, particularly Germany and Poland. The Wölzel name is derived from the Old Germanic word "Walzel" meaning ruler, so it is likely that the first family to bear the name was prominent among the people of Germanic origin.
Today, the last name Wölzel is most often found in Germany, with the largest concentration located in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. There are also a significant number of Wölzel families located throughout Europe, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland.
Outside of Europe, the surname has spread around the world, with many Wölzel families can be found in the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, and Australia. It is most prevalent in Argentina and Mexico, where a large number of German, Polish, and Austrian immigrants settled in the 19th century and onwards.
This last name is often spelled in various ways, with the letter "ö" sometimes replaced by the more common "oe" or "o". Variants of the name include: Wuolzel, Wooelzel, Wolzel, Wehlzel, Woelzel, Wohlzel, Wehzel, Woelz, or Welz.
Variations of the surname Wölzel
Wölzel is an old German surname that has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the variants include Woelzel, Woehlzal, Velzel, Wohlzel, Wielzel, and Uölzell. Variations of the surname can also be seen in different spelling combinations, such as Wuelzel and Wöelzel.
The surname can also be found as a combination of two parts, such as Wölzell or Wöhlzell. This combination in some cases may refer to a location of origin or an ancestor, such as one who was born and/or raised in a particular place.
There are also various spellings of the surname that differ depending on the region or country of origin. For example, in Germany, the surname is sometimes spelled Wölzel, while in the United States it may be spelled Wuellzel or Wölzl. The surname may sometimes be spelled with a 'v' instead of a 'w', such as Völzel or Vuelzel.
The surname Wölzel can also be found as a surname of the same origin but with a different spelling in other languages, such as the Swedish Wålzel or Ålzel, both of which are variations of the same surname.
Surnames derived from the same origin as Wölzel often appear with variations in spelling or combinations. Some surnames include Uölzel, Uolzell, Uölzel, Wölzel, Woelzel, Wohlzel, Wielzel, Wölzell, and Wöhlzell.
Famous people with the name Wölzel
- Jenny Wölzel: Popular German YouTuber who created her own beauty brand, SweetBella.
- Carsten Wölzel: World-renowned conductor, who has led the Philharmonic Orchestra of the State of Mexico as well as other orchestras around Europe.
- Jens Wölzel: Former professional freestyle snowboarder, known for his appearances in several snowboard movies.
- Lea Wölzel: Chess player from Germany who won the German Women's Championship in 2006.
- Alex Wölzel: Olympic silver medalist in swimming who competed for Germany at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- Sabine Wölzel: German soprano who is a professor at the Musikhochschule Hannover and has performed both in Europe and the United States.
- Leon Wölzel: German footballer who made over 10 appearances in the Bundesliga for FC Energie Cottbus.
- Andreas Wölzel: Professional pilot who serves as the leader of the Royal Jordanian Falcons Aerobatic Team.
- Wilfried Wölzel: Founder of Schaeffler Group, a German automotive parts supplier.
- Erich Wölzel: German-born botanist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.