Surname Wagenfeil - Meaning and Origin
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Wagenfeil: What does the surname Wagenfeil mean?
The surname Wagenfeil is a German occupational name derived from the Middle High German word ‘wagenfel’ or ‘wagon wheel maker’. It is thought to have originated in the city of Helmstedt in the Lower Saxony region of Germany where wagon makers enjoyed a plentiful supply of wood for their carts.
The Wagenfeil family name was common in Germany during the 18th and 19th centuries, and members of the family were often involved in wagon making professions. Some of the more successful wagon wheel makers owned fleets of carriages and employed journeyman mechanics to assemble and maintain the vehicles.
The Wagenfeil surname is not common today, but there are still some Wagenfeils living mostly in Germany and other parts of Europe. In the United States there are few Wagenfeils, but they can be found mostly in Pennsylvania, which was a popular German American immigration destination in the 1800s.
The Wagenfeil surname is a reminder of the long and diverse history of German immigrant craftsman, and the impact they had on the development of the United States as a nation. The Wagenfeil name is testament to the importance of the wagon wheel maker profession in 19th century Germany, and the contribution it made to the economy of the times.
Order DNA origin analysisWagenfeil: Where does the name Wagenfeil come from?
The last name Wagenfeil has been found in records ranging from 1577 in Bavaria, Germany, to the modern day in various countries across the world, making it a very common name. Today, the last name Wagenfeil is most commonly found in Germany, especially in the southern states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It can also be found in many countries across Europe, such as Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, and France.
The name also has a presence in other countries, including the United States. According to the US Census Bureau, the name Wagenfeil was the 13,271st most common surname in the US in 2020. Looking at it state by state, the name is most commonly found in New York and California, with a smaller presence in Florida, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
While the name is still common today, its spelling has changed over time. The two most common variations of the name today are Wagenfeil and Wagnerfeil, both of which are direct extensions of the original Germanic spelling. It’s possible that other variations of the name exist today, as families have often changed spellings or adopted anglicized versions over time.
Variations of the surname Wagenfeil
The surname Wagenfeil has various regional variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. In Germany, the surname is spelled Wagenfeil, Wagenfel, Wagenfehl, Wagennfel, Wagennfehl, Wagenfehler, Wagennfehler, and Wagnerfel. In Switzerland, the name is spelled Wagenfuehl, Wagenfühl, Wagenvorkel, Wagenvörkel, Wagervorkel, and Wagervörkel. In Austria, the name is written Wagenfahl and Wagenfiehl. In areas of the United States, the surname is spelled Wagenfill, Wagenfeld, and Wagemfill. The surname is derived from Old German terms Wagen (wagon) and fil, feil, fehl, veorkel (falcon, arrow). Wagenfeil is a habitational surname indicating a person who originated from a location named with these terms. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are closely associated with the evolution of languages and dialects, as well as immigration patterns. For example, immigrants coming to the United States likely adopted Americanized versions of the surname.
Famous people with the name Wagenfeil
- Adam Wagenfeil: German producer and composer, who has worked on projects for the BBC, ZDF, and ProSieben.
- Melanie Wagenfeil: German writer and actor, known for TV shows such as Good Bye Lenin! (2003), HBO's In Treatment (2008) and ORF's Lichtgang (2015).
- Roland Wagenfeil: German footballer who played as a forward for the German Bundesliga club Dresden between 1973 and 1979.
- Jonathan Wagenfeil: German actor, known for his role as Lars in the Netflix series Dark (2017).
- Sarah Wagenfeil: German musician and singer-songwriter, best known for her 2016 single “Be Mine”.
- Maynard Wagenfeil: American strength and conditioning coach, known for his work with professional athletes in various sports.
- Michael Wagenfeil: British entrepreneur and investor with over 30 years of experience in finance.
- Fritz Wagenfeil: German painter, sculptor, and architect, known for founding the Mayen-based school of art 'Akademie für Kunst und Design Wagenfeil'.
- Monika Wagenfeil: German journalist and editor-in-chief of the independent online magazine Oya magazine.
- Karl Wagenfeil: Austrian mathematician and physicist who was one of the founders of Liebniz University, Hannover. He is best known for his work on the calculation of mathematical problems.