Surname Wötzel - Meaning and Origin
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Wötzel: What does the surname Wötzel mean?
The surname Wötzel is derived from the German words wöe meaning 'moisture' and zel meaning 'small'. In other words, it refers to a small stream or a tiny body of water, such as a brook or a pond. It is a relatively rare name and is generally believed to have originated in Germany in the early 1800s, although there is very little documented evidence to support this.
The first recorded use of the Wötzel surname was in German-speaking regions during the 19th century. Records show that this family name was an old rural toponymic, which means that it was based on the geographical location of its original bearer. It is believed that the first people to bear the name resided near a small body of water.
The Wötzels were likely of pre-Christian Nordic ancestry. Some members of this family adopted Christianity in the 9th century and became involved in local politics and church affairs. It is believed that the family name was passed down from generation to generation and eventually spread throughout Germany and beyond.
Today, Wötzel is still an uncommon family name. It is estimated that there are less than 10,000 people who currently bear this name. The majority of them are located in Germany, although it is also found in Austria, Switzerland, and small pockets of other European countries.
Order DNA origin analysisWötzel: Where does the name Wötzel come from?
The last name Wötzel is a relatively uncommon name today, but has a strong presence in some countries. It is most common in Germany, where it was first established as a surname. According to Ancestry.com, the last names indicates it originated from the surname Wotze or Wörtle and originates from the Silesian-Saxon region.
The Wötzel surname is particularly prevalent in Germany's Saxony-Anhalt region, with concentrations in the cities of Zeitz and the surrounding region. It is also fairly common in the Saxony region, particularly the south-eastern area around Dresden.
Outside of Germany, the surname is also found in Austria, the Czech Republic, Russia, Poland, Belgium, and the United States. The highest concentration of the last name in the United States is in the Midwest region, primarily in Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Though the last name is rare, it still produces a strong presence throughout much of Europe and even into the United States. The last name is likely to still remain fairly uncommon and hard to find in the coming years.
Variations of the surname Wötzel
The surname Wötzel is of Germanic origin and has multiple spelling variations. It can appear as "Votzle," "Voetzle," "Wutzler," and "Wuetzle." It has also been recorded as "Voetzel," "Voetzl," "Voetzil," and "Woetzel."
The etymology of the surname Wötzel is derived from the Middle High German word "wotzil," which translates as "climber." It comes from the Latin verb "wadanl," which means "to wander" or "roam," as well as the German verb "wetzen," which means "to sharpen" or "make keen."
This surname is particularly common in Germany, where it is seen as an occupational name for a climber or woodcutter. It may have come about as a nickname for a particularly agile and skillful tree-climber or woodcutter.
In addition to Wötzel, surnames with the same origin include Wotz, Wetzel, Wetzler, Votel, Wotzel, Wotzen, and Wotzle. Variations in spelling include Voetzel, Voetzl, Voetzil, Voetzle, Wutzler, and Wuetzle. Other surnames shaped by Wötzel include Wötzinger, Wötzing, and Wötzl.
The Wötzel surname has been found all over Germany, but it is particularly popular in the states of Saxony, Bavaria, Thuringia, and in the Rhineland-Palatinate.
Famous people with the name Wötzel
- Nicole Wötzel: Former professional German figure skater, World Champion in 1996 and two-time German National Champion in 1998 and 1999.
- Fabian Wötzel: German former slalom competitor, who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Tim Wötzel: German music producer, keyboardist and composer, who has worked with various famous artists such as Stefanie Heinzmann and Nena.
- Uli Wötzel: Renowned German photographer and contemporary artist.
- Wolfram Wötzel: Retired German footballer who played in various leagues and has represented Germany in several international matches.
- Beirun Wötzel: German former swimmer, who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
- Julius Wötzel: German politician, who served as the mayor of the city of Berlin from 1895-1902.
- Johanna Wötzel: German author, screenwriter and illustrator.
- Bruno Wötzel: German doctor and historian, best known for his work on the history of the medical profession.
- Hanno Wötzel: German actor of stage and film, best known for his television roles such as Miss Marple in the German TV series Die Protokollantin.