Wenzel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The German surname Wenzel 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 Wenzel family
The surname Wenzel was first found in Germany, where the name Wenzel 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 Wenzel family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wenzel 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 Wenzel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Wenzel Spelling Variations
Spelling 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 Wenzel family
Notables of the time with the name Wenzel 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), Pr...
- As a forename, we found: Wenzel Jamnitzer (ca. 1507-1585), Austrian-German etcher and goldsmith; Wenzel, Archduke of Austria (1561-1578), Austrian prince and Grand Prior of the Order of Malta; Wenzel...
Wenzel Ranking
In the United States, the name Wenzel is the 3,275th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 1
Wenzel migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Wenzel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
- August Wenzel, who arrived in America in 1777 2
Wenzel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Philip Wenzel, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 2
- Mrs. Marg Wenzel, (nee Schnetz), from Germany who arrived in Galveston, Texas aboard the ship "Johann Dethardt" in 1844
- Ignaz Wenzel, from Germany who arrived in Galveston, Texas aboard the ship "Johann Dethardt" in 1844
- Regina Wenzel, from Germany who arrived in Galveston, Texas aboard the ship "Johann Dethardt" in 1844
- Maria Anna Wenzel, from Germany who arrived in Galveston, Texas aboard the ship "Johann Dethardt" in 1844
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Wenzel Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Joseph Wenzel, who landed in Arkansas in 1906 2
Wenzel migration to Australia +
Emigration to
Australia followed the
First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:
Wenzel Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
- Emil Wenzel, aged 30, who arrived in South Australia in 1847 aboard the ship "Hermann von Beckerath" 3
Contemporary Notables of the name Wenzel (post 1700) +
- Ralph Richard Wenzel (1943-2012), American professional NFL football guard
- Joseph W. Wenzel (b. 1933), American argumentation and rhetorical scholar
- David T. Wenzel (b. 1950), American illustrator and children's book artist
- William R. Wenzel, American Libertarian politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 72nd District, 2012 4
- Jack E. Wenzel, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 1972 4
- Henry G. Wenzel Jr., American Republican politician, Justice of New York Supreme Court, 1932-59 (2nd District 1932-48, 10th District 1948-59); Candidate for Delegate to New York State Constitutional Convention at-large 4
- Emily Wenzel, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Minnesota, 2004 4
- Adolphus E. Wenzel, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Sullivan County, 1875 4
- Hannelore "Hanni" Wenzel (b. 1956), German former champion alpine ski racer
- Eberhard Wenzel (1950-2001), German public health researcher
- ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Historic Events for the Wenzel family +
Bismarck
- Alfred Wenzel (1919-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 5
Citations +
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- 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)
- State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) HERMANN VON BECKERATH 1847. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1847HermanVonBeckerath.htm
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
- Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details