Surname Altwaßer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Altwaßer: What does the surname Altwaßer mean?
The last name Altwaßer is derived from the German words alt (old) and Wasser (water). This surname likely originated as an occupational name for someone who worked at an old water source.
In older times, sources of water were of utmost importance for small towns and households in the German countryside. Not only were the sources a supply of water, but they could also help shape the landscape, as was the case with castles and manor homes. Figuring out how to access these old water sources was a difficult task, often requiring extra knowledge, experience, and skills. This is likely where the Altwaßer surname origins can be traced.
It is possible that the "Altwaßer" name was first used in reference to a wealthy family in Germany who were able to pay for professionals to access and manage the old sources of water on their property. This family eventually began to make use of the skill set of these hired professionals by having them work on other bodies of water as well, leading to the source of the name and the eventual spread of it.
Today, the last name Altwasser is widely spread throughout Germany and other regions, as well as among German immigrants to other countries. This indicates that individuals with this surname were able to demonstrate the skill set necessary to find and manage water sources, making them respected members of society that have seen the value of their surname continue to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisAltwaßer: Where does the name Altwaßer come from?
The last name Altwaßer is most commonly found in Germany today. It is one of many surnames derived from a place-name or topographical feature. In this case, the name has its origin in the Middle High German “awalt(w)asser”, which translates to "old water" or "old river". This likely referred to a river or stream that had been around for a long time in a particular area.
The name Altwaßer is most concentrated in the northern German region of Lower Saxony, with 30 occurrences recorded in nearby Saxony-Anhalt. It is also said to appear with frequency in other parts of the country, including Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Thuringia. In the 19th century, the name was relatively mobile, appearing in cities along the Rhine and other areas of western Germany.
In the modern day, the name Altwaßer appears to be particularly associated with Christian families, in the evangelical tradition of northern Europe. It is also a popular surname among those of Jewish heritage.
The Altwaßers of today can trace their roots to various parts of Germany and, potentially, to other parts of Europe. It is likely that the families who bore this moniker shared with each other a common heritage, even as they moved and spread their influence in the many lands of Germany and beyond.
Variations of the surname Altwaßer
The surname Altwaßer is of German origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It was derived from the word alt, meaning “old”, and the word wässer meaning “water” to form the surname Altwasser which literally translates to “old water”. The spelling of this surname has changed over the years and there are a number of variants and spellings that are found throughout Germany including Altwasser, Altswasser, Alt Wasser, Alt Wassser, Altwasser, Altwaasser, Altwasser, Altwaßer and Alt Wasser.
Other surnames of the same origin include Althass, Althaus, Altheid, Altlaender, Altman, Altrich, Altweg, Altzinger and Altzweig. All of these surnames have either the word alter or alt, meaning old, or wässer meaning water in their etymology.
Altwasser is a relatively uncommon surname that is specific to Germany. However, it is found throughout the country with the highest concentrations in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Lower Saxony. The United States and Canada also contain a small number of individuals with this surname. Those with this surname can trace their ancestry back to Germany, where it originated in the Middle Ages.
Famous people with the name Altwaßer
- Ekkehard Altwaßer (German football referee)
- Max Altwaßer (German chess player)
- Gerhard Altwaßer (Austrian ski jumper)
- Joachim Altwaßer (German migraine research doctor)
- Nicole Altwaßer (German World Cup downhill skier)
- Anne-Kathrin Altwaßer (German television personality)
- Bernhard Altwaßer (German bobsledder)
- Jürgen Altwaßer (German ski instructor)
- Peter Altwaßer (German football coach)
- Heinz Altwaßer (German WWII major general)
- Britta Altwaßer (Australian-born German Paralympian sailor)
- Helmut Altwaßer (German footballer)
- Götz Altwaßer (German musician)
- Stephanie Altwaßer (German Olympic alpine skier)
- Otto Altwaßer (German rower)
- Bernd Altwaßer (German Olympic sprint canoeist)
- Matthias Altwaßer (German long-distance runner)
- Rolf Altwaßer (German politician)
- Rudolf Altwaßer (German WWII Brigadier General)
- Heinrich Altwaßer (German-Brazilian neurologist)