Show ContentsWasmuth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Wasmuth surname was a popular Old German personal name (pre-surnames) that meant "of a sharp mind."

Early Origins of the Wasmuth family

The surname Wasmuth was first found in the regions of northern Germany, where the name could be considered to make a great early contribution to the feudal society of Europe. The name Wachsmann became prominent in local affairs and branched into many houses which played important roles in the tribal and national conflicts, each group seeking power and status in an ever changing territorial profile. Chronicles first mention Heinrich Wachsmut of Mergthal in 1311. The wandering minstrels Wachsmout von Kuenzich and Wahsmuot von Muelnhusen became renowned in the same period. Another famous bearer of this name was the character Wahsmuot in the "Dietrich Saga," who was the brother of Wolfdietrich.

Early History of the Wasmuth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wasmuth research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1715, 1730, 1735, 1816 and 1836 are included under the topic Early Wasmuth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wasmuth Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Wasmuth include Wachsmuth, Wachsmund, Wassmuth, Wasmuth, Wassmann and others.

Early Notables of the Wasmuth family

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

Migration of the Wasmuth family

The state of Prussia was a great influence on the shape of modern Germany. After the Second World War, Prussia's land was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany and the state was abolished. Some Prussians remained in those countries after the war, while many others migrated to North America in search of a new start. Philadelphia was their primary point of entry to the United States, after which many of them moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. A large number of Prussians also migrated to Ontario and the prairie provinces as United Empire Loyalists. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Wasmuths to arrive in North America, and among them were: Frederick Wachsmuth, who came to Philadelphia in 1844; Vincent Wachsmuth came to the same city in 1828.


Contemporary Notables of the name Wasmuth (post 1700) +

  • Edmund M. Wasmuth, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Indiana, 1904 1
  • E. M. Wasmuth, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Indiana, 1940 1


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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