Looking in my German Name Lexicon I am finding the origin of your name Wendel (various spellings) having its roots in the Germanic Folk Tribe of the Wandalen (Vandals). This is a very old name. It is a North German name mostly found around Hamburg and upper Germany. In the Southern part of Germany the name is Wendelin (area of Heilbronn) the name is recorded for Wendel Raisch 1525, and a Wendel (Wendeling) as a carpenter in 1518 at Alsace, and a Wendel Spreng at Fulda in 1559. Wendling is more prevalent at Wesphalia and Hannover, and there is also a town called Wendlinghausen. Spelled like Wendler, Wendel or Wendeler has a different meaning altogether, as it means "Wanderer" like in "Journeyman" ( meaning a profession). Apprentices of a craft (under their guild) became journeymen and traveled to other Masters to hone their arts or crafts before they could apply for a Masters Patent for themselves. The all carried "Arbeitsbücher" which is like a passport where their place of work and the Master (now you would call it the company) they worked under was recorded. They had a special status for passing borders within European Countries. They also had to earn knowledge and money being a Journeyman before applying for a Masters Patent. Aida Kraus > > In a message dated 4/7/2006 10:10:56 AM Mountain Standard Time, > bhoudek@swbell.net writes: > Koenigreich in Boehmen,Koenigreich, Austria > The Austro-Hungarian Empire, etel...... > > Karen, my name apparently contains two last names - Wendell - which I > believe was or is associated with Moravia and or nearby areas within the > Autrio-Hungarian Empire. Also my last name - Williams - may also be > associated from another part of the knigdom or only from English/Irish > roots ie: Son of William. How does one find these old linkages or sources > especially since wars seem to have blotted out most resources? > In any case you have opened a whole new field of study for me within the > Austrio-Hungarian Empire. > Thanks for any insight or thoughts!! > Wendell Williams > > > Wendell & Rosemary Williams > Williams Design Studio > 847-364-1415 phone > wrw9501@msn.com email > > > > ==== GERMAN-BOHEMIAN Mailing List ==== > Forgotten how to UNSUBSCRIBE? > Visit http://www.rootsweb.com/~gbhs/mailinglist/mailinglist.html >