Surname Wörndl - Meaning and Origin

Wörndl: What does the surname Wörndl mean?

The last name Wörndl is a German surname and most commonly found in Bavaria. It is thought to originate from the old German word ‘wuradl’, meaning a ‘botcher’. This was most likely an occupational name for someone who was a cobbler or shoemaker.

The name Wörndl is believed to have first appeared in the 14th century when people began adopting hereditary surnames. It is thought that many people chose to take an occupational name that showed what kind of work they did. For instance, a person who was a brewer might with a name such as Brau, and a potter might be named Töpfer.

The name Wörndl is assumed to have spread throughout the region during the 18th century. It is likely to have been adopted more widely during the industrial revolution, when many families traveled to find work.

Today, the name Wörndl is found not only inGermany, but all over Europe, North America and beyond. Although there may be countless variations on the spelling, the name is still spelled Wörndl in many parts of the world.

Wörndl: Where does the name Wörndl come from?

The last name Wörndl is most commonly found in south-east Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The name has been documented in Bavaria since at least the 16th century, with occurrences being most frequent in the eastern parts of the state and in the north of Baden-Württemberg.

Today, the name is most prominent in rural communities and small towns across Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, with fewer occurrences in larger cities such as Munich. The population density of those bearing the name in Bavaria is especially high in the Landkreise (counties) of Upper Franconia, Lower Franconia, Middle Franconia, and Swabia, with the city of Nuremberg having the highest concentration of Wörndls in the state.

The meaning of Wörndl is debated but it is likely to be derived from the word ‘werden’ (to become) or ‘wenden’ (to turn), suggesting someone who frequently changes or alters something. The exact origin of the name is hard to trace, although it could potentially be linked to either Franconian or Swabian dialects of the German language.

The name has seen some spread to other countries, notably to settlements in North America. However, prevalence in countries outside Germany is likely to remain at low levels due to the relatively small size of the population bearing the name.

Variations of the surname Wörndl

The surname Wörndl is derived from the Middle High German surname Wurm(e)ntal, meaning “valley of worms”. Variant spellings include Wirndl, Wuermd(t)al, Wermdl, Wern(d)l, Wur(d)ndl,Wormd(t)al, and Woerndl. Common surnames of the same origin but different spelling are Wield, Wöld, Weildert, and Weierndl.

The surname Wörndl is first recorded in Austria in 1293 and is most common among German-speaking countries such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. In addition, the surname is also present in parts of Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine and Hungary.

The simplest variant of the surname is Wöld, which is derived from the Middle German word wolde, meaning “woodland”. Wield, the second most common variant, is most likely derived from the Old English Wigle, meaning “willow tree”. Weildert is derived from the Old High German wiliwar, whereas Weierndl is derived from the Germanic word woid(an), meaning “meadow”. The final variant, Wormd(t)al, is derived from the Middle High German wurm(e)ntal, meaning “valley of worms”.

Historically, different variants of the surname were used to indicate an individual’s place of origin, occupation, or other association. For example, someone with the last name Wörndl may have come from the valley of worms, whereas someone with the last name Wield may have been a dweller in a meadow.

Today, the surname Wörndl has been adopted by many other countries. The Wörndl family tree is spread across the world, from North and South America to Asia and Australia. The different variant spellings of the surname can be found in various countries, with the highest concentrations of each being in Austria and Germany.

Famous people with the name Wörndl

• Josef Wörndl: Austrian Olympic alpine skier, winner of two bronze medals in the 1964 Winter Olympics.
• Fritz Wörndl: Austrian football forward who appeared in several international matches for Austria in the 1930s.
• Gisela Wörndl: Austrian alpine skier, competed in the 1956 Winter Olympics and participated in two world championships.
• Sabine Wörndl: Austrian alpine skier, member of the silver medal-winning Austrian team in the 1979 World Championships.
• Ludwig Wörndl: Austrian inventor and the father of the world's first electric typewriter, invented in 1909.
• Peter Wörndl: German film director, director of several German feature films and documentaries, best known for his 1968 drama, Der Traum des Butterfly.
• Hermann Wörndl: German-born Austrian sculptor, best known for his circus and fairground figures made of painted wood.
• August Wörndl: Austrian composer, teacher and founder of the Classical Music Institute in Salzburg, who wrote the wonderfully humorous ballet Der Schrank.
• Maximilian Wörndl: Austrian cellist, teacher and composer, his composition Entflammt in mir Mollusken has been used in television commercials.
• Susanne Wörndl: contemporary German author of children's and young adult books, winner of the Buxtehude Bull Award in 2002 for her book Die Welt aus Stoff.

Other surnames

WörndelWörndle