wessel

Wessel is a surname and, less commonly, a masculine given name used in Dutch- and German-speaking regions. In the Netherlands and Flanders, Wessel appears as a family name, while Wessels is a closely related surname often found as a patronymic form meaning “son of Wessel.” The name also occurs among German-speaking populations and in communities outside Europe through migration and diaspora.

Etymology and history: The name is of Germanic origin with medieval roots. As a surname, Wessel is typically treated as a patronymic or derived from a given name, while as a given name it has appeared in historical records in various forms. Related spellings include Wessels, which is more common as a Dutch surname, and occasional variant forms in neighboring regions.

Distribution: Wessel remains most common in the Netherlands and nearby regions, with presence in Germany and among populations of Dutch and German descent in North America and other parts of the world.

Notable people: Individuals bearing the surname Wessel have been documented across fields such as science, culture, and public life, reflecting its historical and contemporary usage.

See also: Wesel, a town in Germany; Wessels (surname).