Surname Wehrlein - Meaning and Origin

Wehrlein: What does the surname Wehrlein mean?

The last name Wehrlein is of German origin and means “army man” or “guardian”. It was originally used as an occupational surname most likely to describe a soldier in a military force. The name Wehrlein is derived from two distinct German words: “Wehr,” meaning army, and the diminutive “lein,” meaning small or little. The surname can be dated to at least the 12th century where it described a soldier employed in defending a walled village or castle.

The Wehrleins distinguished themselves by their courage in battle, loyalty to their leader, and their honorable conduct in engagements. In addition to these military skills, they were reputed to excel in the arts of animal husbandry and the fine arts. They were also renowned for their ambition and determination, which allowed them to rise through the military ranks and become powerful figures in area politics.

The Wehrleins remained active in German culture and society until the 20th century, when they began to immigrate to other parts of Europe and the United States. Today, Wehrleins are found in numerous countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the United States and Canada. Despite their geographic diversity, many of them continue to express their proud heritage in their surname.

Wehrlein: Where does the name Wehrlein come from?

The last name Wehrlein is most commonly associated with Germany. It is one of the most common surnames in Germany and is found all throughout the country, including the cities of Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, and Bremen. It is particularly common in Bavaria, with the city of Nuremberg having the highest concentration of Wehrleins in the region.

Outside of Germany, the Wehrlein name can be found in the United States, as many of those with the surname have emigrated from Germany. It is estimated that more than 4,600 people with the last name live in the US today. Other countries with a notable Wehrlein population include the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Canada, Australia and France.

The surname Wehrlein is believed to have started appearing in German records in the late 15th century. It is derived from the Old German word “wehr”, which means “guard”. This suggests that the original bearers of the name may have been responsible for standing guard over something, such as a castle or a villa. The meaning of Wehrlein can also be interpreted as “one who protects” in modern German.

Variations of the surname Wehrlein

The surname Wehrlein is of German origin and has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants in Germany are Wehrle and Wehrling. Wehrle is the most common variant of the surname in the United States, with Wehrling being nearly as common.

Other variants of the name include Wehrlayne, Wehrlate, Wehrleene, Wehrleine, Wehrleinen, Wehrleinne, Wehrelien, Wehrleyne, Werhlein, Wierlein, and Werhling. These variations all owe their roots to Wehrlein, and are often seen in different parts of Germany.

Wehrlein is also found as a part of surnames in other countries, such as Austria, Poland, and Switzerland. In Austria, Wehrlein can be found as Wehrle, Wehrl, and Wehrl-worn. In Switzerland, Werlien is a common variation, while Werlin and Werlyn are two popular variations in Poland.

Other variations of the name include Wehrleannon, Werlin, Werlien, Werllen, Werlen, Werlinn, Werliann, Werlinne, Werlynn, Werlyne, Wirlien, and Wurlien. In addition to these variations, Wehrlein can also be spelled as Woerlein, Worlein, Waerlein, Warlein, and Woerlien.

The cohort of Wehrl and Wehrle surnames can be found in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania and Ohio. These two states have the highest population of Wehrl and Wehrle families in the entire United States.

Famous people with the name Wehrlein

• Pascal Wehrlein: Pascal Wehrlein is a German professional racing driver who currently races for the Mercedes Formula One team and for Mahindra Racing in Formula E. He made his Formula One debut in 2017 with the Sauber F1 Team, becoming the youngest driver to score points in his first race.
• Markus Wehrlein: Markus Wehrlein is Pascal's older brother. He is also a professional racing driver, and is currently competing in the DTM with Team R-Motorsport.
• Kai Wehrlein: Kai Wehrlein is Pascal's cousin. He is a professional rallycross driver, currently competing in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
• Konrad Wehrlein: Konrad Wehrlein is the father of Pascal and Markus. He is a former Formula Ford and touring car racing driver, and currently works with his sons as their manager.
• Sabine Wehrlein: Sabine Wehrlein is Pascal's mother. She was a rallycross driver during the 1980s, and is currently the managing director of the Wehrlein Racing Academy.
• Maja Wehrlein: Maja Wehrlein is Pascal's sister. She works as an engineer, and was part of the Mercedes Formula One team from 2016-2018.

Other surnames

Wehrle