Surname Wagner - Meaning and Origin
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D. Wagner
read moreWagner: What does the surname Wagner mean?
The surname Wagner is of German origin and primarily refers to a "wagon maker" or "wagon driver". The name derives from the Middle High German term "wagener", which means one who makes or drives wagons. This suggests that the earliest people with this surname likely had occupations related to wagon making, driving, or dealing. It was a common practice in medieval times to derive surnames from the occupations of individuals. The name Wagner is prevalent in Germany and also found among Ashkenazi Jewish families. Notably, Richard Wagner was a well-known German composer of the 19th century.
Order DNA origin analysisWagner: Where does the name Wagner come from?
The last name Wagner is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Within Europe, it is one of the most popular surnames. In the United States, the Wagner name is the 277th most common surname and is widely distributed throughout the country. In the UK, Wagner is the 452nd most common surname and is fairly common in Scotland and Ireland.
In Germany, Wagner is the eight-most-common surname and it is thought that around 700,000 Germans have the Wagner surname. In Austria, Wagner is the 13th most-common surname. This is because Germanic migrations from the Middle Ages onwards,when Germans began to expand and settle across Bavaria, the Rhineland and other regions of modern-day Germany.
In the United States, the Wagner surname is particularly prominent in Pennsylvania, where it ranks 8th in popularity. It is also relatively popular in Texas, where it ranks 17th. Other states where the surname is comparatively common include Virginia, Ohio, Florida, Missouri and California.
The Wagner surname can also be found in many other countries, as Germans have migrated all over the world in the last two centuries. Examples include Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina.
Variations of the surname Wagner
The Wagner surname has various variants, spellings, and related surnames that stem from its Germanic roots. These include Waggoner (or Wagener and Wagoner), Wainwright, Waynwright, Veigner (or Veinear), Vagneur (or Veigneur or Veigneau), and Vigneron.
The most common variant of the Wagner surname is Waggoner, which has spawned numerous spelling variations. Wagoner, which is also one of the most popular variants is an anglicized form of the German Wagoner surname, from the Old High German word waganari which has the meaning of “wagoner” or “wagon driver.” Variations of Wagoner likewise include Wagoner, Waggoner, Wagener, Wagnor, Wagonar, Wagener, Vagenor, Vagener and Veigner.
Wainwright is also a derivative of the Wagner surname, with the prefix “Wain” being derived from the Old English term for “wagon”. Additionally, Waynwright, Veigner, Vagneur, and Vigneron all stem from the original Wagner surname.
In summary, some variants, spellings, and related surnames of Wagner include Waggoner, Wagoner, Wagnor, Wagonar, Wagener, Vagenor, Vagener, Waynwright, Veigner, Vaigneur, and Vigneron.
Famous people with the name Wagner
- Richard Wagner: an influential German opera composer
- Robert Wagner: a Hollywood actor known from films such as Killers and Austin Powers
- Roy Wagner: an award-winning actor best known for his role in television series such as “The Incredible Hulk”
- Lou Wagner: an American actor most famous for his roles in both classic and modern films such as River of No Return and Gremlins
- Joanne Wagner: an American actress best known for her roles in the films “The Fugitive” and “Recess: School’s Out”
- Wally Wagner: a former professional baseball player, most notably with the Cincinnati Reds
- Julian Wagner: an Austrian film actor and producer, known for his work in multiple European film productions
- Donna Wagner: a Canadian jazz singer and actress known for her performances in numerous films such as “Silence of the Lambs”
- Grete Wagner: an Austrian operatic soprano who performed with the Vienna State Opera for several decades
- Gary Wagner: an American television host and radio personality, most notable for “The Gary Wagner Show”