Weigel
A German surname that may be a pet form of a name beginning with Wig-, though some sources also treat it as a local name.
The #5,187 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 45,808 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The surname Weigel is usually explained as a diminutive or pet form of an old Germanic personal name beginning with Wig-, a root meaning “battle” or “fight.” Historical sources connect it with names such as Wigand and related short forms, giving the sense of “little Wig-” or “descendant of Wig-.” Some older writers also suggested a local origin from a place-name, but the personal-name explanation is the one most often repeated in the sources here.
History
The name is well established in German-speaking areas and appears in older surname lists in several related spellings, including Weigel, Weigel(l), and Weigelt. It also shows up in Latinized form as Vigelius in some humanist-era records. The surname is common enough in German onomastic studies to be treated as a standard example of the diminutive suffix -el.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same German diminutive ending -el appears in many familiar surnames, which is why Weigel sits alongside forms like Seidel and Hähnel in older surname studies.
From the historical record
“Weggett ; v. Wackett. Weigall, Weigel, Weigell. — Local, *of Wighall.' I cannot find the spot, but the derivation is clear, * the hall of Wiga/ a Domes- day personal name. v. Wigg.”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (alternate scan)