| ![Show Contents]() Wencel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Germany The German surname Wencel comes from the male given name Wenzeslaus which was derived from the Czech given name Václav or Venceslav, meaning "praised with glory". Some etymologists believe the name ultimately derives from the Slavic given name Wenze to which the Germanic diminutive suffix "el" was added. Wenceslaus I (c. 907-935), also known as Wenceslas I or Václav the Good was the Duke of Bohemia from 921 until his death, probably in 935. According to the legend, he was assassinated by his younger brother, Boleslaus the Cruel. He was posthumously declared to be a king and patron saint of the Czech state. Early Origins of the Wencel familyThe surname Wencel was first found in Germany, where the name Wencel came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. It later became more prominent as numerous branches of the same house acquired distant estates, some of which were located in other countries. Through the acquisition of these estates as well as their important contributions to society, the family successfully elevated their social status. Early History of the Wencel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wencel research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1507, 1561, 1578, 1585, 1696, 1711, 1718, 1742, 1763, 1769, 1772, 1773, 1794, 1825, 1830 and 1859 are included under the topic Early Wencel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Wencel Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Wentzel, Wentzl, Wentzzel, Wentzell, Wenttzel, Wentzels, Wentzls, Wentzlls, Wentzells, Wenttzels, Wentzele, Wensel, Wentsel and many more. Early Notables of the Wencel familyNotables of the time with the name Wencel included Wenzel Thomas Matiegka (1773-1830), Bohemian composer; Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich (1773-1859), German-Austrian politician and statesman; Josef Wenzel, Prince of Liechtenstein (1696-1772), Prince of Liechtenstein; and Franz Wenzel, Graf von Kaunitz-Rietberg, (1742-1825), Austrian general, son of Wenzel...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wencel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Wencel familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Catherine Wentzel, who settled in New York in 1749; Conrad Wentzel, who came to Nova Scotia in 1757; Christoph Wentzel, a Hessian mercenary who settled in America after fighting in the Revolutionary War, Andreas Wenzel, who emigrated from Hessen to Texas with his family in 1845.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Wencel (post 1700) | + |
- Wencel F. Hetman, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Illinois 8th District, 1926 1
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