Surname Wehnl - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wehnl: What does the surname Wehnl mean?
The last name Wehnl is of German origin and is derived from the word wenden, which means "to turn around" or "to go around." The Wehnl surname most likely originated as a local nickname for a person who "turned," indicating either a person who changed residences or someone who had a remarkable dexterity of turning around in tight spaces.
The Wehnl surname can also be a habitational name, referring to someone who resided near a place designated with the root phrase. This could include a bend in a river or a place where people made a change in direction. In some cases, the name Wehnl is derived from the word wenden meaning "to surrender or submit."
The Wehnl surname is not particularly common, but it is also not a rare name. Many people with the Wehnl surname can be found in Germany and even in other countries where German ancestry is present.
No matter its origin, the last name Wehnl holds an intriguing history for those interested in their family’s genealogical past. It is sure to continue to be a unique and noticeable last name for a variety of generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisWehnl: Where does the name Wehnl come from?
The last name Wehnl is most commonly found in Central and Northern Europe. Specifically, the last name Wehnl is found in Germany, Austria, and Northern Italy. Germany is the most populous country in which the last name Wehnl is found. It is estimated that between 6,000 – 8,000 people in Germany today are surnamed Wehnl.
The last name Wehnl is linked to Germanic and German speaking regions of Europe. The name could have either originated in Germany or Austria and it is believed to have roots in the Alps mountain region. Furthermore, the name is often found in Northern Italy, which could be due to the migrations of Austrian and Germanic peoples into the region.
Wehnl is more common today in Germany than anywhere else. It is particularly common in the states of Bavaria, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg, as well as in the city of Berlin, which is historically a major destination for German immigrants.
Outsides of Europe, the last name Wehnl can also be found in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. This is due to the many Germans who have emigrated to North America over the past centuries. Today, the last name Wehnl is found in almost all of the eastern and many of the midwestern states of the US, as well as in the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Variations of the surname Wehnl
The surname Wehnl is of German origin, with variants such as Wienle, Weiinle, Winle, and Wheinle. It is also sometimes spelled Wainle.
The surname Wehnl is derived from the Middle High German word “wainel” or “winel”, which refers to a small wine cask. It is likely that the surname originated as a metonymic occupational surname, derived from those who made or sold wine casks.
In Germany, the Wehnl surname is most commonly found in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. It is also found, though less commonly, in other German states like Hesse and Saxony as well as in Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands.
Other surnames with a similar origin and meaning are Velin, Weiner, Weinert, Weindel, Wöhnle, Weindel, Wellinal, Wehnle, and Wiemeler. Additionally, many people with the Wehnl surname have also changed the spelling to Welni or Weinli. These surnames have a similar origin and all stem from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Wehnl
- Arthur Wehnl: Producer, composer, and engineer
- Christine Wehnl: German ice dancer
- Fernanda Wehnl: Brazilian illustrator
- Jürgen Wehnl: German Olympic canoe paddler
- Manuel Wehnl: German actor
- Nick Wehnl: American figure skater
- Sidney Wehnl: Chilean rodeo champion
- Ursula Wehnl: German actor and director
- Victoria Wehnl: German television presenter