Surname Wessolly - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wessolly: What does the surname Wessolly mean?
The last name Wessolly is of German origin and is found more commonly in the English language. The original spelling of the surname is Weseloh, and it is believed to have come from the German town of Wesel, which was located near Dortmund in the 16th century.
The earliest known record of the surname originates from a mid-17th century record from Germany, where it was spelled as "Weseloh". Over time, the spelling of the surname changed with the evolution of both language and record keeping approaches, and the spelling of the surname eventually came to be written as Wessolly.
Wessolly literally translates to “Western meadow” in German, referring to the countryside in or near the city of Wesel where the family originated. It is likely that the surname was adopted by the original family to indicate their origin or association with the place.
The surname has enjoyed a long presence in England and the United States, particularly after the mass migration of Europeans to the new world in the 19th century. Although the surname may have evolved over time, it is likely still associated with many of the same positive traits today, such as family loyalty, agility, and the ability to adapt and thrive in new environments.
Order DNA origin analysisWessolly: Where does the name Wessolly come from?
The last name Wessolly is most commonly found today in Germany and other parts of Europe. The surname originated as a German and English name derived from the Old German personal name “Waldsohl” or “Welsolun” meaning “one from the forest” since Wesollys were originally people who lived and worked on estates with thick forests in Germany. It is thought that the first occurrence of the name in records dates back to the 1600s in Germany. Today the Wessolly surname can be found in countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, and parts of the United States, especially in states with high German-American populations like Wisconsin and Texas. In Germany, the name has seen some variation in spelling, such as Wesseli, Vessoel, and Vessoll.
The Wessolly surname remains uncommon, but is an integral part of the German-American heritage. It's a valuable reminder of the hardworking, self-sufficient people who helped build and maintain society as we know it today.
Variations of the surname Wessolly
The surname Wessolly (also known as Wesselley, Wessley, Wessly, Wesslie, Wesslye, Wessleye, Wesslye, Wesselye, Wesselle, Wessellee, and Wessely) has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The Wessolly name has German origins, derived from two stem surnames—Wesler and Wessel. This name may have been a House name, given to someone who lived near a house whose sign bore a particular crest. Over time, the ‘House name’ became the family name, first used by the son, and then passed down to other relatives.
Wesler is derived from the given name “Wess,” which evolved from an old German personal name “Wisilo.” The name Wisilo comes from an old German greeting “Willo” which means “desire.”
The surname Wessel comes from an old Germanic given name, derived from the element “wes” meaning “vesture” or “garment.”
These variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin have also been found in other countries, such as England, Russia, Poland, South Africa, and the United States, and have been “transmogrified” into various forms, such as Wessal, Wessels, Wesselman, Wessler, and Whetzel.
The spelling variations of the Wessolly surname may be attributed to a lack of literacy during the early Middle Ages. During this time period, a parish clerk or scribe might have wrongly spelled a name, or simply used the wrong spelling of a name.
The various spellings and variants of the name Wessolly are reflective of its rich cultural heritage, and the original form of the name may be obscured in time, as family history and records become unavailable.
Famous people with the name Wessolly
- Conrad Wessolly, German film and television actor
- Rainer Wessolly, mayor of Dillingen an der Donau
- Werner Wessolly, German historian
- Bill Wessolly, American director and producer
- Michele Wessolly, American singer-songwriter
- Thomas Wessolly, German entrepreneur
- Patricia Wessolly, American author
- Wilhelm Wessolly, German chess player
- David Wessolly, British rally driver
- August Wessolly, German geographer