Surname Wurzl - Meaning and Origin
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Wurzl: What does the surname Wurzl mean?
The last name Wurzl is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word wurzel, which means “root” or “roots”. This name was in turn derived from a medieval profession, the wurzeltaler, or root-cutter. This was a person who would go around and prune roots to encourage the growth of trees. By extension, the name Wurzl came to denote someone who was hard working, and able to establish a strong foundation for themselves and their family.
The name Wurzl may also have had religious connotations, as there were several notable figures with this surname in the context of Christian worship. For example, one Johann Wurzel was a Catholic priest who preached in the early 17th century.
The last name Wurzl is thought to have been common in the German provinces of Prussia, and Upper and Lower Silesia. It may have spread further into other areas of Central Europe and beyond, too.
Today, the name Wurzl is most commonly associated with Germany and Austria, but it is also found in other countries around the world, such as the United States, South Africa, Australia and Canada. It may be a variant of other surnames, such as Wurz, Wirtz and Wurth.
Order DNA origin analysisWurzl: Where does the name Wurzl come from?
The last name Wurzl is common in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in countries such as Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. This surname is also seen in smaller numbers in the Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary.
Wurzl is derived from the Middle High German words "wurzele," which means "to root," and "wurz," which means a root or rootstock. The name could have been used to describe a family that lived close to their original estate, or a person who was unpretentious and able to provide for themselves and their family with the resources they had.
There is very little information about the origin of the name Wurzl, but it is thought to have originated during the Middle Ages, when it was common for your last name to describe a physical or social trait associated with your family.
Today the Wurzl name is very common in Central Austria, with a population of approximately 12,000. Many Wurzls can also be found scattered throughout Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, and even small numbers in the Netherlands.
Even though the name Wurzl is quite prominent in Central and Eastern Europe, it is relatively uncommon outside of this region. It is most likely to be found in areas that have high levels of Germanic or Slavic cultural influence.
Variations of the surname Wurzl
The surname Wurzl has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The German variant is spelled Würzl, in English it is spelled Wurzl. The surname can also be spelled as Wuerzl, Wuerzle, Wurzal, Wurzle, Woerzl, Woerzle, Vuerzl, Vuerzle, Wuertzle, Würzle, and even as Vertzle in some cases.
In Austria, the surname is also very common, but the spelling is slightly different, as it is spelled Würzl, Wurzl or Wurzle. This spelling is also seen in some parts of Canada, the United States, and in other parts of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The surname Wurzl is quite old, and can be found in records from the 13th century in parts of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At times, it has also been spelled as Würzal, which is the name derived from the German medieval word for ‘farmhand’.
The surnames of the same origin as Wurzl include Werzl, Werzle, Verzle, Vurzl, Vurzle, Vorzle, Wurzly, Woerze, Wuerzel and Wuerzl. There is also a Polish variant of the surname that is spelled Wurzłowicz, and this is also found in some parts of the United States and Canada.
Depending on which region of the Austro-Hungarian Empire a person lived in and what language was commonly spoken, the spelling of the surname Wurzl could vary. Despite the variations, the surname still remains linked to the same origin.
Famous people with the name Wurzl
- Angela Wurzl: German alpine skier and artist.
- Erich Wurzel: Austrian violinist, composer, and conductor.
- Friedrich Wurzel: Austrian composer and pianist.
- Gustav Wurzel: Austrian sculptor and painter.
- Johann Wurzel: Austrian organist, conductor, and Choirmaster.
- Johannes Wurzel: Austrian-Canadian violinist, composer, conductor, and teacher.
- Johann Wurzel III: Austrian violinist, conductor, and composer.
- Sir Robert Wurzel: British academic, electrical engineer, and University vice-Chancellor.
- Wolfgang Wurzel: Austrian modernist painter and sculptor.
- Yvonne Wurzel: Swiss conceptual artist and architect.