Surname Wäge - Meaning and Origin
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Wäge: What does the surname Wäge mean?
The last name Wäge originates from Germany and is of patronymic origin. The name Wäge translates literally to "wagoner," or, more specifically, a person who transports goods in a wagon. The name is derived from a Middle High German word, wagon, and likely refers to a person’s occupation in the Middle Ages. During this time, goods were commonly transported from town to town in wooden wagons.
The name Wäge is found in records as far back as the 1100s in Germany. It is also found in Switzerland and Austria. It is possible that the same family used the name in all three regions, as migrations between countries were quite common during that time.
Today, the name Wäge can be found throughout Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with multiple variants, including Waage, Waegen, Wege and Die Waage. The name is still connected to the occupation of wagoner, as it carries the significance of working in transportation.
Order DNA origin analysisWäge: Where does the name Wäge come from?
The last name Wäge is a quite uncommon name and today it is found mostly in Germany and Austria. It is believed to have originated in central Germany sometime during the Middle Ages, possibly in the lower Rhineland area.
In modern times, the name has been significantly more common in areas surrounding the Rhine. Specifically, it has been widely found in the state of Hessen, located just east of the Rhine River. It is also found in smaller numbers in the eastern counties of neighboring Bavaria and the state of Baden-Württemberg. Interestingly, the name has made a few appearances in Berlin and other surrounding regions, suggesting it has spread across Germany over the centuries.
In Austria, the name Wäge is most commonly found today in Vienna and surrounding towns, as well as in the states of Burgenland and Styria. It can also be found in other parts of Germany's western borders, such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
Regardless of its geographic origin or current location, the name Wäge has remained relatively uncommon for centuries, likely due to its elusive spelling and pronunciation. Nonetheless, its presence in German-speaking regions persists as a testament to the uniqueness and persistence of the Wäge family.
Variations of the surname Wäge
The surname Wäge is a German surname derived from the Middle Low German word ‘wēge’ meaning ‘weighing scale’. The surname can occur in different regional spellings and variants such as Waegge, Waeggei, Waeggen, Waegen, Waege, Waegei, Waegeli, Waegi, Waeglein, Waegglein, Waehgelein, Waigh, Waigle, Waiglein, Waike, Waikei, Waikelain, and Waikelein. All of these variants are further derived from the Middle High German word ‘wace’ which has the same meaning.
The surname is also known to occur in many different forms due to varying languages and cultures it has been exposed to over centuries. In other parts of Europe, variants such as Wagge, Wage, Wagg, Waghe, Wague, and Waige have also been found. The same surname can also be found in translations such as the German translation, Wägien zu, also known in English as Ways.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in its original form of Wäge, although it is sometimes shortened to Wagg. Other English spellings include Waigg, Waigh, Waigle, Waigli, Waiglin, Waigly, Wage, Wag, Wagge, Waggie, Waggy, Waig, Waigee, Waike, Waikie, Waikee, Wakie, Wayg, and Wye.
The history of the surname is also evident in the various surnames derived from its original spelling. Over time, the surname has come to be associated with various variations of place names and titles as well as personal names. These derivations include Waeger, Weger, Wäger, Wegner, Wägner, Wagener, Wichge, Wichger, Wichman, Wigge, Wiggis, Wechsler, Weyger, Wegerin, Wagmasch, and Woyger.
Overall, the surname Wäge has been an integral part of the German linguistic traditions for centuries, and it remains popular today in many countries of Europe as well as in the United States.
Famous people with the name Wäge
- Wolfgang Wägele: German ethologist and evolutionary biologist.
- Marie Wägele: former German politician and member of the Bundestag from 2009 to 2013
- Max Wägele: Austrian composer and music educator
- Martin Wägele: German paleontologist
- Albert Wägele: German entrepreneur and owner of the Bäcker Wägele bakery chain.
- Ulla Wägele: German long-distance runner and hurdler
- Christian Wägele: German swimmer
- Adolf Wägele: German World War II veteran
- Peter Wägele: German photographer and photojournalist
- Marc Wägele: German entrepreneur and owner of the online gambling software company Greentube