Show ContentsWander History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Wander family

The surname Wander was first found in Bavaria, where the name was closely identified in early medieval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. Bearers of the name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. The name comes from the Old High German word "wundar," meaning "marvel or puzzle." It probably originated as a nickname for someone mysterious or eccentric.

Early History of the Wander family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wander research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wander History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wander Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wunder, Wundar, Wunderlich, Winderlich, Winder and others.

Early Notables of the Wander family

More information is included under the topic Early Wander Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Wander migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wander Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anna Christina Wander, who landed in America in 1742 1
Wander Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Wander, who arrived in Mississippi in 1897 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Wander (post 1700) +

  • Dennis H. Wander, American Republican politician, Candidate for Mayor of North College Hill, Ohio, 1987 2
  • Margaret Wander Bonanno (1950-2021), American science fiction writer, ghost writer and small press publisher who wrote seven Star Trek novels
  • Margaret Wander Bonanno (b. 1950), American science fiction writer, ghost writer and small press publisher 3
  • Wander Suero Montero (b. 1991), Dominican Major League Baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Wander Samuel Franco Aybar Sr. (b. 2001), nicknamed "El Patron", a Dominican professional baseball shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB)


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  3. Margaret Bonanno. (Retrieved 2011, June 2) Margaret Bonanno. Retrieved from http://www.margaretwanderbonanno.com/


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