Surname Wende - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling Personal Identity and Heritage: How iGENEA Changed My Perspective of the Surname Wende

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C. Wende

Wende: What does the surname Wende mean?

The surname Wende is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Middle High German “wenden” and “wendung” which mean “to turn”. The surname was likely originally applied to someone who frequently changed their residence or occupations. Over time, Wende has come to mean "from the Wendish people", with Wendish being a Slavic ethnic group who formerly inhabited parts of northwestern Germany and eastern Europe.

The Wende surname can be found in records from as early as the 12th century, and has since become a common last name throughout Germany, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and America. In Germany, the Wende surname often has its origins in the Silesian region, a historical area near the southern border of the country. There is also a notable Wendish settlement in the Harz Mountains south of Berlin, where the Wende family name is especially common.

In addition to the geographical connections, Wende families have also been linked to specific occupations, including shoemakers and gardeners. Additionally, some Wende family members were apparently known to be artists and musicians, due to their frequent travels or migrations from one place to another. As the Wende surname spread through Europe and eventually to America, the name has come to represent a diverse group of people, with diverse interests and occupations.

Wende: Where does the name Wende come from?

The surname Wende is most commonly found in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In 2020, the most common countries with Wendes living there were Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the United States, and Canada. In the United States, it is most common in Wisconsin, Texas, and Utah. There is also a notably large population in Sweden and other parts of Northern Europe.

Origins of the Wende surname are found in Germany, where it is a variation of the name Wendt found in different regions. This likely originates from ancient Germanic languages and is derived from the phrase "wanden" which essentially translates to "wander". It is likely that the surname refers to families who inhabited various parts of Germany and were referred to as being "Wanderers".

The Wendes can trace their lineage back to the mid-16th century, from a location in Germany known as Landkreis Vorpommern-Greifswald. This region is now part of the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, located between the Baltic Sea and the Uckermark. Today, the Wende surname is most commonly found in the same region of Northern Germany where it first appeared. However, members of the Wende family can be found all across the globe, from Europe to America and beyond.

Variations of the surname Wende

The surname Wende is a German-origin name thought to have originated in the Middle Ages. Initially, the name would have likely been spelt "Wendel", and the name likely comes from the Latin name "Vincentius", which means "conquering". Common variations of the Wende surname include Wendel, Vande, Wendelin, Wendelinus, Wendler, and Wunder.

Surnames of the same origin as Wende may include variations of spelling, such as de Winde, Wenden, Wendelin, Windel, Windisch, and Weindel, as well as names of different origins but with a similar sound, such as Wainder, Winder, and Wündel.

Common nicknames for Wende and other similarly-sounding surnames are Wendy, Windy, Vinny, Wenda, Vince, Vonny, and Vinnie.

Wende is also a popular surname in parts of Scandinavia and traces of its use have been found as far back as the 17th century. In Scandinavia, the Wende surname may be spelt Winde, Windh or Wind. It may also be spelled Vande or Vantu, while Wendelin may be spelt Vantelin and Wendler may appear as Vantlein. It is not uncommon for the Wende surname to be spelt differently from generation to generation.

It is thought that the Wende surname may have been adopted by Jewish people fleeing Nazi Germany as a form of disguise. In this case, it may have been spelt with a "V", either Vande or Vinter, and combined with other well-known Jewish names, such as Rosen or Cohen.

Famous people with the name Wende

• Kurt Hess-Wende: Former German ambassador to the United Kingdom
• Klaus-Peter Wende: Ex-general inspector of the German Army
• Ann-Kathrin Wende: German television and film actress
• Armin Wende: Former football player and current coach for FC Vestsjaelland in Denmark
• Franz Wende: Austrian mathematician and professor of mathematics at the University of Vienna
• Erwin Wende: Austrian physicist and professor of physics at the University of Vienna
• Eric Wende: American Olympic Team fencer
• Daniel Wende: German illustrator and artist
• Hubertus von Berg-Wende: Former West German politician and Minister of Defense
• Patricia Wende: German swimmer who won multiple international medals

Other surnames

WendWendelWendelerWendelinWendelingWendelkenWendelmannWendelmutWendelmuthWendelsWendelsteinWendemuthWenderodtWenderothWenderottWendischWendlWendlandWendländerWendlandtWendlantWendleWendlerWendleyWendlinWendlingWendlyWendnagelWendorfWendorff