A Witzel Family History

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mong these many pages, you will find a collection of topics that relate to the history of the Witzel family-name. Of course, it is hoped that this collection will grow with time. The conclusions of lifelong studies from several authors offer the most current understanding of our name. Included are many family trees researched in great detail. Consequently, on this page are links to a wide reaching variety of contributors and ideas.

Because I have chosen not to censor out contradictory views, this collection can also cause confusion. Yet, I find it meaningful to preserve the various sources of information without instilling bias. All are gathered here in their original form. I include my own conclusions separately. In the end, you are free to develop your own understanding of these many topics. Additional contributions from interested researchers are very much welcomed.

Beside each topic below are three columns of links. The first column is intended to provide an introductory version of the more developed writings to be found in the second and third columns. In this way, you can select your level of interest. Just click on the appropriate book to find out more. For a very general overview of the topics on this site, confine your reading to the first column. The sources for the included information that support the research are included in the more advanced readings in the second and third columns.

At the very bottom of this page, the resources are divided into two sections. The Georg Witzel Archiv Hagen (GWAH) section includes the research results of a group of Witzel family researchers who met between 1975 through 1984. A great deal can be learned from their work. Under References, I include a consolidated bibliography which includes links to online references and digital reproductions of the sources mentioned throughout this site.

Certainly, this collection is the result of many years of inquiry, not simply of my studies, but also of others. And still, it continues to be a collection in flux. The menu below serves to outline the direction of both present and future research interests. As this website develops more fully, more and more topics will be complete with multiple links.

In the end, it is also hoped that this collection will serve to preserve the works of those who have studied before us. Only in this way will these lifelong studies continue to remain available to the benefit of future generations.

Preface

The Witzel Surname

Introduction
Georg Witzel of Vacha	(1501 - 1573)
The Witzels of Vacha	( c. 1350 - 1600 )
The Witzels of Fulda
The Witzels of Eichsfeld	( 1600 - 1700 )
Conclusion

The Personal Name Witzel

Introduction
Witzel von Hünfeld	(c. 1390)
Saint Vicelin of Hameln	(1090 - 1154)
Wizelin of Flanders	(c. 950)
Candidus Wizo	(c. 782)
Wizo Flandrensis	(c. 1100)
Bischof Wizzo von Trier	(c. 805)
Saint Witta von Büraburg	(c. 700 - 760)
Witta of Wittenham	(c. 480)
Saint Wite of Whitchurch	(c. 801 - 842)
VETTA F. VICTI	(c. 350)
Vitta	(c. 350)
Gwyddon	(c. 550)
Summary

Additional Histories

Wicelinus, Bishop of Strassburg	(1001 - 1029)
Wizelin von Auen	(c. 1010)
Wicelinus von Bergen	(c. 1150 - 1198)
Wicelinus Dux	(1354 - 1383)

About German Names

German Surnames
German Personnal Names
-elein
-inus

Origin and Meaning

Introduction
Iovis Vicilini
Germanic
uu
*widu ... 'wood'
*hwit ... 'white'
*weid ... 'to see, to know'
witega - wizzago
wiso
wisel
Rechtweiser
Werner
Wetzel
Wigand
Summary

Related Place-Names

Introduction

English

Witnesham
Witney
Witley
Wittenham

German

Weisingen
Weißenburg
Weißkirchen
Wisselsheim
Wisselsrod
Witzelsberg
Witzelsdorf
Witzelsroda
Witzenhausen
Witzleben
Witzleshofen
Witzwort

Summary

The Witzels of Germany

Introduction
Philip Witzel	( c. 1435 )
Hans Witzel of Oberweisenborn	( 1535 )
Hanns Melchior Witzel of Gossau	( c. 1573 )
Ludwig Witzel of Vacha	( c. 1580 )
Witzels of Netra & Wabern	( 1596 )
Wilhelm Witzel of Frieda	( c. 1600 )
Tobias Witzel of Lauf a.d.Pegnitz	( 1620 )
Hans Witzel of Stiege	( c. 1633 )
Johann Georg Witzel of Unterkatz	( c. 1650 )
Jost Witzel of Lauchröeden	( 1652 )
Daniel Johann Wittzell of Livonia	( c. 1658 )
Witzels of Bad Langensalza	( c. 1661 )
Pfarrer Witzel of Geisa	( c. 1665 )
Witzels of Bruch-Aschwarden	( c. 1682 )
Pfarrer Joh. Valentin Witzel	( c. 1702 )
Abbotess Martha Witzel	( c. 1705 )
Witzels of Lengefeld	( c. 1724 )
Witzels of Frankenberg	( 1750 )
Witzels of Förderstedt	( c. 1750 )
Witzels of Rothemann - Kerzell	( c. 1800 )
Witzels of Rio Claro	( c. 1810 )

Leaving the Homeland

Stadt Böhmisch Kamnitz	(1488)
Swedish Pommern	(c. 1696)
Witzels of København	( 1828 )
Wiczels of Zgierz	( c. 1900 )

Leaving for America
Witzels in Linfield	( 1906 )

Additional Biographies

Prof. Dr. Adolph Friedrich Witzel	(1847 - 1906)
Prof. Dr. Oscar Witzel	(1856 - 1925)
Prof. Dr. Julius Witzel	(1863 - 1914)
Josef Rudolf Witzel	(1867 - 1924)
Albert Witzel Studios of LA
Fritz Witzel	(1932 - )

Resources

Georg-Witzel-Archiv-Hagen
References
Acknowledgments

8-6-2008

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