Surname Wegelein - Meaning and Origin
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Wegelein: What does the surname Wegelein mean?
The last name Wegelein is of German origin, and is derived from the German word "wegelein" or "wedge," which means "small road or path." The name is associated with those who lived near small paths or walked them, such as farmers, shepherds, and hunters. It also could have referred to those who simply dropped off or picked up loads at the end of the road or path.
In the German language, Wegelein is also a topographic term that can refer to a small path or ridge between fields or meadows. It is derived from the root word "weg," which means "way." This name is found primarily in southern Germany, in Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg.
The earliest references to the name Wegelein were found as early as the 15th century, when surnames first began to be adopted in German-speaking regions. In some cases, the surnames evolved into the modern spelling of Wegelein over time, as the spelling of words evolved in German and other languages.
The name was likely adapted by communities of family and neighbors living close to or along small paths, such as farmers, shepherds, and hunters. In some cases, the spelling of the name has evolved over time, though many families still retain the original spelling.
Today, many people in Germany and other German-speaking countries still bear this surname, though it is found fragmented across the world. Those bearing the Wegelein surname likely descended from a long line of individuals living and working in small farming communities in and around southern Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisWegelein: Where does the name Wegelein come from?
The Wegelein surname is most commonly recorded today in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the United States.
In Germany, Wegelein is strongly concentrated in Bavaria in the south of the country. It is most common in the city of Freising and its surrounding district, near Munich.
In Switzerland, Wegelein is mainly found near Basel and Zurich in the north.
In Austria, Wegelein is seen in small pockets throughout the country, with the most notable occurrences near Vienna.
In the United States, the surname has spread to several states including New York, California, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. The most common areas with the Wegelein surname are the New York metropolitan area and northern California.
Though its origin is Germany, the Wegelein name has spread far beyond its homeland in a relatively short amount of time. This is due in large part to immigration; many of the surname holders around the world likely share a common ancestor back in Bavaria.
There is now an international Wegelein family network with members from the United States, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland which connects its branches and records its history.
Variations of the surname Wegelein
Wegelein is a German and Swiss surname that has a few variants, spellings, and variants of the same origin. Common variants of this surname include Wegely, Wegelyne, Wegelyer, Wegle, Weglin, Weighlein, Vegely, Vegelein, and Vegely.
Wegelein is derived from the German word “Wegely”, which means patriot and is the surname of a German royal family. In Germany, the spelling was changed to Wegelein throughout the centuries. In Switzerland, the spelling was more commonly seen as Weglein.
The Wegelein surname is believed to have first appeared in Bavaria, Germany, in the late 15th century, and was likely the name of a noble family. Over time, the spelling was changed to several variants, some of which were also used as regional surnames.
The Wegelein surname is also common in Switzerland, where it is believed to have originated during the 17th century. Variants of the surname are also common in Austria, where it is believed to have originated in the 18th century. Other variants are seen in other parts of Europe, such as France and Italy.
The Wegelein surname is still common in some parts of Germany, where the spelling has become slightly different due to languages merging. In some parts of Germany, the spelling is Wegel, Wegle, or Weckel. In Switzerland, the spelling is often seen as Weglin or Weighlein. In Austria, the spelling is often seen as Vegely or Vegelyer.
The Wegelein surname is also found in the Americas, as people with this surname were among the first to immigrate during the 19th century. Variants of the Wegelein surname are still commonly found in the United States and Canada.
Overall, the Wegelein surname is a common German, Swiss, and European surname with several variants and spellings. As with many surnames, it has evolved over time to create different spellings from the original form.
Famous people with the name Wegelein
- Dick Wegelein: American football trainer, coach, and college athletics administrator
- Rudolf Wegelein: German lawyer, mayor, politician, and diplomat
- Henry Wegelein: American golf course architect
- Jon Wegelein: American fashion designer, photographer, and film director
- Joseph Wegelein: 18th Century German writer, translator, and scientist
- Wilhelm Wegelein: German publisher and writer
- Reinhold Wegelein: German writer and artist
- Armin Wegelein: German sculptor and painter
- Heinrich Wegelein: 19th Century German translator and writer
- Johann Wegelein: German-born American educator and writer