This is a surname of Germanic origins which would seem to be a developed form of the early pre 6th century word "welle" through the later Wella to Vella. However the precise development is uncertain, owing to a paucity of proven recordings, which is often the case with central european surnames. The name has two or possibly even three translations. The first is locational for somebody who lived near marshy ground. The second job descriptive for a wood merchant or gatherer of fuel, whilst the third may like the Spanish "Vela" derive from the 6th century Goths, and be a personal name which translates as "War desire" or similar. This is from the elements "Wig" (war) and "Wil" (desire) and originally found in the baptismal name "Vigila".Recordings of the various forms of the name include Trine Welle, who married Gerd Playeman at Riesenbeck, Westfalen, on July 13th 1688, in the reign of Emperor Leopold 1 (1658 - 1705), whilst on October 10th 1734 Seerp, the son of Casper and Aalje Vella was christened at Leeuwarden, Friesland, in the Netherlands. Later on November 12th 1848 at the church of St Katherine's, Danzig Stadt, Westpreussen, Sybell Louise Vella married Otto Heinrich Moscal. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Wehle, which was dated July 1st 1576, was christened at Johnsdorf, Sachsen, Germany, during the reign of Emperor Maximillian 11, of the German Empire, 1564 - 1577. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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