Surname Wunderli - Meaning and Origin
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Wunderli: What does the surname Wunderli mean?
The surname Wunderli is a German surname that has its origins in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the term ‘Wunder’ which means ‘wonder’ in German. This surname is believed to be derived from the nickname of an ancestor, or a person famous for accomplishing remarkable or extraordinary feats. Thus, Wunderli literally translates to ‘wonderous’ or ‘remarkable’ in English.
The Wunderli surname is associated with numerous different coat of arms, each of which is reflective of the region or country from which the family hails. In addition, the surname is found in various other countries due to the many families who immigrated from Germany in the height of their political and economic turmoil.
Today, many of the Wunderli family reside in the United States, Germany, and Switzerland. Wunderlis are likely to be of Protestant Christian faith, as this is the predominant religion in the countries they come from. The Wunderli family is also known to have strong connections to the more affluent members of society, as evidenced by their ability to make long-term investments in the stock market.
Overall, the last name Wunderli is indicative of a family with a rich history and strong ties to the more affluent members of society. The Wunderli family is also likely to be characterized by their considerable accomplishments and remarkable feats which led to their nickname.
Order DNA origin analysisWunderli: Where does the name Wunderli come from?
The last name Wunderli is a Swiss-German surname, predominantly found in Switzerland and in other parts of the German-speaking world. It is also common in other countries with strong Swiss-German immigrant populations, notably Argentina, Brazil, and the U.S.
The Wunderli name is derived from the German word 'wunderlich', which means 'miraculous' or 'odd'. This reflects the name's original purpose to denote someone who had experienced a miracle or a significant event. This meaning dates back to at least the Middle Ages, when many Norsemen migrated to Switzerland from Norway, eventually adding a 'li' or 'le' ending for a patronymic name.
Today, the Wunderli surname is found predominantly in the German-speaking world. It is among the ten most common surnames in Switzerland, and is also common in Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein. Other countries where Wunderli is still popular include France, Luxembourg, and South American countries such as Argentina and Brazil, which have large populations of Swiss-German immigrants.
In the U.S., the Wunderli surname is most commonly found in the areas of Wisconsin, Illinois and Missouri, where Swiss-German immigrants first settled in the 19th century. It is also found in Pennsylvania, which also had an influx of Swiss-German immigrants in the early 20th century. The last name is also popular in some other states, including California, Florida, and New York.
Variations of the surname Wunderli
The surname Wunderli is believed to have roots in German, Swiss German or the Swiss region of Appenzell. The most common spellings and variations on this surname are Waendel and Waendeli, though Wendeli and Wendel are also popular. Additional spellings have been known to include Wunderle and Wunderlee.
The surname may have originated from an occupational name, referring to someone who made or sold wands, either to protect animals or to use as a means of reproduction. The prefix ‘wunder’ means ‘wand’ in German, and the suffix ‘-li’ is generally used to officially recognize a profession.
As with many surnames, some families have adopted additional surnames due to emigrations and different historical factors. Some of these additional surnames include Windle, Wandell, Wandeley, Vundel, Vandell, Vondel and Vandle.
In some cases, the spelling of the same surname may have changed before arriving at its current form. For example, Waendel is believed to have been derived from the dialect form Wendel, while the variant Wendeli likely resulted from the Swiss Romanisch form Wändeli.
The surnames Wunderli and its variants can be found in many countries throughout Europe, with the highest concentration believed to be in Switzerland. Additionally, since many Swiss emigrants left their homeland to pursue better socio-economic situations, it is likely to be found in other countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Wunderli
- Ed Wunderli, a former professor at the University of Minnesota.
- Johann Wunderli, a Swiss alpine skier and skiing instructor who won a bronze medal in the 1948 Winter Olympics.
- Matt Wunderli, an American professional triathlete.
- Nick Wunderli, an American basketball player who played college basketball for the University of Oklahoma Sooners.
- Erich Wunderli, a Swiss politician and member of the National Council from 2007 to 2019.
- Ernst Wunderli, a Swiss police chief and director of the Office of International Police Cooperation from 1998 to 2006.
- Don Wunderli, an American farmer, rancher, and public official who served as Secretary of Agriculture of Wyoming from 2007 to 2011.
- Rosa Wunderli, a Swiss author and children's book specialist who is best known for the series of books called The Little Frog Twins.
- Ueli Wunderli, a Swiss ski jumper who won a gold medal in the 1976 Winter Olympics.
- Kurt Wunderli, a Swiss professor emeritus of French literature at the University of Basel.