Surname Waigel - Meaning and Origin

Waigel: What does the surname Waigel mean?

Waigel is a German last name that is derived from the Middle High German name Wiegel. This name is believed to have come from a word meaning "watchman" or "gatekeeper." The name could have been given to a guard who watched over a castle or an area around a city.

The name found its way to Germany during the Middle Ages, where it could have been brought in by a family or servant from elsewhere. In some areas, it may have been used to create a nickname for someone who was short in stature or had a unique personality.

Waigel families in Germany often have a strong sense of history and tradition. Historians believe that the name was common in the region around the Rhine in the Middle Ages, with many of those families remaining in the region through the present day.

In modern times, the name Waigel can be found throughout Germany and Europe, as well as in other parts of the world. It is an uncommon name in the United States and many other countries.

Overall, the last name Waigel is associated with a sense of strength, responsibility, and duty, which may have been the qualities showing by those bearing the name in centuries past. Today, it remains a unique and uncommon name associated with those of strong character.

Waigel: Where does the name Waigel come from?

The last name Waigel is originally of German origin, and is most commonly found in the areas of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Today, the Waigel family is reported to be most prominent in the regions of Bavaria, Hesse, Thuringia, and Baden-Wurttemberg. However, bearers of the Waigel surname can also be found in other regions across the country, as well as in other parts of Europe and around the world.

U.S. immigration data suggests that bearers of the Waigel surname began arriving in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the last name Waigel is significantly less common in the United States than in countries in Europe. That being said, bearers of the name Waigel can be found throughout the United States, with the highest population concentration in the state of Pennsylvania. It is also noted that Waigel is one of the 47 most common last names reported in the U.S. Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress.

Given the prominence of the Waigel surname in German-speaking cultures, it is not surprising to find that the Waigel family is still quite common in Europe today. It is often reported that those born with the last name Waigel are affectionately called 'Waigels' in Germany, and it is a moniker that is shared by many of them to this day.

Variations of the surname Waigel

The surname Waigel is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word "waig" which means valley. It is most commonly found in Bavaria, where it is estimated that there are around 5,200 people living with this name. Other variants and spellings of the Waigel surname include Wiegel, Weigel, Weigle, Weigand, Wegmann, Wegemann, Wegmann, and Wagel.

The Wiegel spelling of the surname is usually found among Mennonites who migrated from Palatinate, Germany to America in the 18th century. Weigand is a more common spelling found in areas where the Frisian language is spoken. In addition, the Weigel variant of the name is also found in areas of Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland.

In Germany, the surname has been documented since 1617 in Styria, when it appeared as Weigle. In the 19th century, the spelling of the surname became Waigle, and later Waigel, as it is spelled today. In the United States, the first records of the Waigel family were in 1832 in Pennsylvania, where the name was found in the records of the Ephrata Church, as well as other records in the area.

The origin of the surname Waigel is likely due to the fact that some of the early members of the family resided in a valley either in Germany or elsewhere. The spelling may have changed over the centuries, but its origin has remained the same.

Famous people with the name Waigel

• Theo Waigel: a German politician who served as Minister of Finance of Germany from 1989 to 1998 and chairman of the Christian Social Union from 1988 to 1999.
• Maria Waigel Schneider: a German politician and member of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria, who served as the Minister of Nutrition, Agriculture and Forestry between 1992 and 1998.
• Alois Waigel: a German politician and member of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria, who served as the Minister of Revenue from 1987 to 1998.
• Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg: a German politician who served as a minister in the government of Germany from 2009 to 2011 and is married to Maria Waigel Schneider's daughter Stephanie.
• Max Waigel: the son of Theo Waigel, who is a German lawyer and business executive.
• Sebastian Waigel: the grandson of Theo Waigel, who is a German entrepreneur and businessman.
• Ernst Waigel: a German musician and bassoonist who is a member of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Rainer Waigel: a German novelist, poet, graphic artist and film director.
• Heinz Waigel: a German playwright and theatre director.
• Karl Waigel: a German sculptor and a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich.

Other surnames

WaigelmannWaigent