Surname Werndel - Meaning and Origin
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Werndel: What does the surname Werndel mean?
The last name Werndel has a few different possible meanings depending on the origin of the name. In German, Werndel is thought to derive from Waren, which in turn comes from the Germanic word 'waren', meaning 'to protect'. This suggests that the Werndel family may well have played a protective role within their local community in the past. In English, Werndel is thought to come from the Old English word 'werdnen', which means 'to turn or wind'. This could indicate that members of the Werndel family may have been skilled in weaving or other crafts which require lots of winding or turning.
The Werndel family is known to have origins in Austria for over 700 years, making it one of the oldest family names in the region. Interestingly, the name Werndel is only found in Austria and not in any other countries around the world. This suggests that the Werndels have been quite isolated, perhaps living in a particular region of Austria throughout their long history. It has even been suggested that the Werndels may have been a part of the former ruling Austro-Hungarian royal family, although this has never been fully proven.
Overall, the last name Werndel is indicative of a long-standing connection to Austria and a history of either protective or creative labor. It is a name that carries with it centuries of history and a sense of heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisWerndel: Where does the name Werndel come from?
The last name Werndel is most commonly found in Germany today, with its origins believed to be from the Middle Ages. The name is derived from 'wernd' and 'el', which could refer to an area in present-day Bavaria or a nobleman from a certain area. towns near the Bavarian border, where it is thought to have first taken root.
The highest concentrations are found in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, primarily in the Stuttgart region. It is also present in areas of Lower Saxony, Thuringia, and Saxony-Anhalt. Werndel is commonly used as a variation on Würndle, which is an additional variation of Brandle.
Werndel is also found in other German-speaking countries such as Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands. It is also prevalent in countries with high rates of German emigration, such as the United States, Brazil, and Argentina.
The Werndel name is not particularly prevalent in Germany today, with only about 1,400 Germany-born individuals named Werndel residing in Germany in 2019. It is also not particularly popular as a first name and is not often used as a surname outside of Germany.
Variations of the surname Werndel
Werndel is a surname of German origin. Variations and alternate spellings of the Werndel surname include Wernell, Wernehl, Wernle, Werne, Vernell, Vernehl, Vernle, Verne, and Werner. All of these versions of the original surname are derived from the Middle High German word werndel, meaning "to protect". This name may have been achieved by a person who protected his family, or was employed as a bodyguard, or was a member of royalty.
The surnames Werndel and Werner are most often associated with the Werndel surname, and by far the most common. This is because Werner is a common Germanic surname that is often shared among related families. For example, it could also be a family surname that came from several branches of the same family tree.
Other variants of the Werndel surname may be the result of phonetic spelling errors over the centuries. These could include Varnell, Veral, Vernal, Warnehl, Warnele, and Warnell. It is also possible that some branches of the family adopted a spelling change to create a unique identity, such as the Werndel-Wade surname found in some areas of the United States.
Famous people with the name Werndel
- Brigitte Werndl: Austrian dressage rider and competitor in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
- Joseph Werndel: German botanist and entomologist.
- Diane Werndl: American fencer and three-time US Olympian (1996, 2000 and 2004).
- Rudolf Werndel: Austrian operatic bass and actor.
- Andreas Werndel: Austrian composer and conductor.
- Max Werndel: German footballer.
- Robert Werndel: Austrian physicist and professor.
- Felix Werndel: Austrian enologist and professor.
- Anton Werndel: Austrian painter.
- Willi Werndel: German actor.