Surname Westphal - Meaning and Origin
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iGENEA DNA Test: Revelations of Ancestry and Shaping Identity in the Westphal Lineage
Immersing myself in the vast ocean of my lineage, the iGENEA DNA test traced back my ancestry to the Westphal family. Unveiling my Germanic roots, it sparked an inner journey of self-discovery, reshaping my understanding of my own identity and kindling a newfound respect for my ancestral lineage.
Y. Westphal
read moreWestphal: What does the surname Westphal mean?
The last name Westphal is of Germanic origin, meaning “western plain”. It is a geographical surname, meaning it originated from a place name for someone who resided on or near a western plain.
This surname is thought to have come from an old place name, Westfeld, which referred to a western field or plain. It is also possible that the last name came from a less ancient placename or from a nickname. For example, the nickname “West” could have been bestowed on someone who was particularly strong and powerful or from someone who travelled, lived, or worked near the west.
One prominent bearer of the last name Westphal was the Prussian field marshal Oskar Victor August Heinrich von Westphalen (1845-1894). He was a brilliant military leader during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and was considered a tactical genius for his efforts in the siege of Paris.
Today, there are still many families who bear the surname Westphal. In Germany, this surname is particularly common in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein. It can also be found scattered throughout the United States and Canada and even in South Africa. Its relative frequency is thought to be much higher in countries where German immigration has occurred and accounts for the presence of this name in countries beyond Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisWestphal: Where does the name Westphal come from?
The last name Westphal is most commonly found in northern Europe. The name is especially prevalent in Germany, where it is among the most common last names. Other countries with a significant presence of the surname Westphal include the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. It is also found in the United States, with a few examples in the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
The name Westphal is of German origin. The surname likely derives from the German surname Westfal, from the regions of Germany known as Westphalia, located in the northwest of the nation.The name is derived from the old Germanic words for 'western' and 'land,' indicating those with the name may have roots in this area.
The Westphalia region was historically a major economic center, and many of those with the last name Westphal are believed to have started out as merchants or traders. Since the Middle Ages, people from this region have been noted for their industriousness and business acumen, and their descendants may bear the last name Westphal. Some of them traveled far, leading to the dispersal of the name across Europe and beyond.
Variations of the surname Westphal
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Westphal generally consist of the common variations of the name such as Westfahl, Vestfahl, Messiases, Vastphal, Wistphal, Wisphal, Wiszphal, Wieszphal, Wizfahl, Westphalen and Westfalen.
These variants have been increasingly popular in recent times due to the rise in genealogy research. The Westphal surname originates from German, Dutch, and Scandinavian countries and can also be associated with English speaking countries such as the United States, England and Canada.
The most common spelling for the Westaphal surname is Westphal. This spelling is found in German records along with other spellings of the name such as Vestfahl and Wistphal. Westphalen and Westfalen are also common spellings found in German speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
In the United States, the most common spelling for Westphal is Westfahl, which is derived from Dutch and German influences and is pronounced ‘vest-fahl’. Various other spellings of the same name, such as Vestfahl, Wesphal, Westphall, Westfall, and Westphol, can also be found in the records of the United States.
In England, the Westphal surname is more commonly spelled as Wisphal, Wieszphal, or Wzfahl, all of which derive from German influences. In Scandinavia, the Westphal surname is commonly spelled as Vastphal, Weszphal, and Wieszphal.
The Westphal surname is often associated with various surnames of English, Dutch, German, and Scandinavian origin, such as Messiases, which is a common Jewish surname. It is also associated with other surnames of non-English, such as the French-Canadian-style surname Liszphal.
In its various spellings and variants, the Westphal surname has spread across a wide variety of countries and cultures and has a rich and varied history.
Famous people with the name Westphal
- Mitchell Westphal: professional American basketball player.
- Myles Westphal: professional Australian rugby footballer.
- Hannah Westphal: actress and model known for her roles in "The Middle," "Hemlock Grove," and "Pitch Perfect 2."
- Brandon Westphal: lead singer and guitarist for the progressive metal band "Starring Janet Leigh."
- Richard Westphal: German politician and a member of the Bundestag for the Social Democratic Party of Germany since 2013.
- Karl Westphal: German musicologist and university professor.
- A. J. Westphal: American football coach and former player.
- Louie Westphal: American professional baseball outfielder.
- Scott Westphal: American television actor.
- Gary Westphal: Canadian figure skater, choreographer, and coach.