Surname Wabels - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wabels: What does the surname Wabels mean?
The last name Wabels, which originated in Europe, is an occupational name, derived from the Old German word ‘Wabel’ which means ‘sieve or strainer’. It is likely that it was first used as a nickname for someone who worked with sieves, such as a granary laborer. Over time, it became better-known as a surname.
Throughout history, the Wabel surname has been found in several areas of Europe, including Germany, France and the Netherlands. It has been suggested that the name might be Jewish in origin and could be linked to its Hebrew AAO-based root.
Today, the Wabel surname is still quite common, and is most frequently encountered in Germany, where it remains among the top 250 surnames. In other parts of Europe, the Wabel name is less ubiquitous but is still represented. In the United States, immigrants from Europe brought the name with them, and it is now commonly found in areas such as Pennsylvania, New York, and California.
The Wabel family name has a long history filled with unique stories, and is a reminder of the enduring strength and determination of people who choose to make a new life for themselves in a new land. It is a testament to the idea that no matter how far we travel from home, we will always carry with us the roots that made us who we are.
Order DNA origin analysisWabels: Where does the name Wabels come from?
The last name Wabels is most commonly found today in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. It is a German last name, likely derived from the name “Wafel”, which is itself derived from the Latin word “vafella” meaning “little wafer”. The last name arose during the medieval period, when people started taking on last names which referred to their ancestral homes or professions.
In Germany, Wabels is found predominantly in the western part of the country, with Berlin, Bavaria, Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia having the most Wabels. There are also Wabels living in other countries settled by German emigrants, such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The French variant of the name, Wable, is also quite common in France, particularly in Bordeaux, Paris, and the Loire Valley. It is still quite rare in other countries, though French emigrants have taken it with them to the Americas and elsewhere.
Finally, in the Netherlands, the last name Wabel is most commonly found in the south, particularly in Zuid-Holland, where it was initially adopted due to the increased French immigration to the country in the 18th and 19th centuries. There are a few Wabels living in Europe's Benelux countries, most notably in Belgian Flanders.
Overall, the last name Wabels is most commonly found today in Germany, France, and the Netherlands, with pockets of it in various other countries as well.
Variations of the surname Wabels
The surname Wabels has a long-standing history in various forms. The most common variant spellings of the family name are Wabel, Wabbel, Wabble, Wobel, Weible, Weibel, Wiebel, Vebel, Vobel, and Vabbel.
The name can also be seen in various languages, such as Wapelhaüs in German, Wabbels in Dutch, and Wobels in English.
The geographical origin of the surname lies in Central Europe, possibly from the regions of Belgium and German-speaking Switzerland. The name is likely derived from the old German words “waffen” and “blassen”, referring to a warrior-like person.
The name was originally used as an occupational name for those who were armourers or blacksmiths. However, over time the surname Wabels began to be adopted by other trades and professions.
Some derivative surnames of Wabels include Wiebel (a phonetic variation), Wapelhaüs (an adaptation of the original German spelling), Wapel (a variation of the original Dutch spelling), Wobel (the English adaptation of the Germanic spelling), and Vobel (a variation of the German and Swiss spelling).
The name is commonly found in numerous records across Europe, especially in creating family trees. Wabels is also a surname in the United States, with records of those having the name as far back as the early 1700s.
Famous people with the name Wabels
- John Wabel, an American athlete who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics.
- Lillian Wabel, an American long-distance runner who won the 1959 Boston Marathon.
- Ryan Wabel, an American professional mountain biker and two-time US champion.
- Frank Wabel, an Austrian-born actor and filmmaker, best known for the Dream Factory series.
- John Wabel, Jr., an American ice hockey player who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics.
- Kelsey Wabel, an American actress best known for her roles in the films Burlesque and Taking Charge.
- Edward Wabel, an Austrian composer, conductor and pianist who was active in the early 20th century.
- Bernard Wabel, a German scientist who focused on chemical process engineering and was the inventor of the Wabel Bench Press.
- Max Wabel, an Austrian ski jumper who competed in the 1964 Winter Olympics.
- Lynn Wabel, an American actress who appeared in the films What the Bleep Do We Know? and Like Dandelion Dust.