Surname Soltau - Meaning and Origin

Soltau: What does the surname Soltau mean?

The last name Soltau is of German origin and is believed to have been derived from a family living near a river named Solte. The name could also mean a person who came from a city or town that had a mill by the same name.

The earliest known uses of the name occur in the 11th and 12th centuries. Its first recorded use was by the noble family, von Solte, who lived in the area of Hanover, Germany. The name is also recorded in various church documents of these eras.

The earliest known coat of arms for the Soltau family featured two shields, each with a red heart-shaped sun. These symbols reflect a long-standing family tradition of loyalty and honor.

The combination of the two shields is a hallmark of distinction and the name still represents a strong legacy of loyalty in both its German and American variations. It has been passed down through the generations and is known for its values of courage, strength, and dedication.

Today, Soltau is an uncommon name that continues to evoke the sense of honor, integrity, and respect it has had since its humble beginnings centuries ago.

Soltau: Where does the name Soltau come from?

Soltau is a relatively uncommon surname today, but it is found mainly in Germany and parts of Scandinavia. The name can be traced back to northern Germany from at least the 16th century, and was originally used in area such as the Duchy of Oldenburg. It is thought to be derived from a combination of the words for 'here' and 'meadow', making it a topographic name. It is likely that its popularity in the region was due to its descriptive and relatively easy to remember meaning in several German dialects.

Today, the name is most commonly found in North Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony in Germany, as well as Denmark and Sweden in Scandinavia. The commonality of this name in these areas is testament to the fact that it was a German name whose popularity spread throughout Northern and Central Europe. Although the people with this name are not found in large concentrations in any one place, the name Soltau can still be seen in the records of these countries today.

Variations of the surname Soltau

The surname Soltau has a range of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

One of the most common variants is Soltoff, which is derived from a dialectal variation of the name. It has been found mainly in Germany and is sometimes spelled ‘Soltof’.

The spelling ‘Soltóv’ can also be used, primarily in Hungary and Slovakia, where the name is quite popular. It’s derived from a Hungarian word meaning ‘bright’.

In Poland, the name has been spelled ‘Soltów’ or ‘Solcow’, though the latter spelling is currently obsolete.

The variations ‘Soltauf’ and ‘Soltavf’ are more uncommon, being found mainly in a few German districts and parts of Switzerland.

The variations ‘Soltolff’ and ‘Saltoff’ could also be used, but these are quite rare.

The surname ‘Soltau’ is much more commonly found amongst the Low German speaking communities. It is believed to have originated from the place name ‘Solthofen’ in Austria.

Surnames of the same origin include ‘Soltó’, ‘Soltwin’, ‘Soltwede’, ‘Soltsow’, ‘Soltow’, ‘Soltwitz’ and ‘Solthoff’. All of these are believed to have originated from the same place name.

In different languages, the name has also been spelled in multiple variations, including ‘Salatau’ (in Spanish), ‘Solto’ (in Italian) and ‘Soltaud’ (in French).

Overall, the surname ‘Soltau’ has various variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, and all of these are believed to have derived from a single place name.

Famous people with the name Soltau

• Greg Soltau: An American professional basketball player who played for the Hawaii Islanders and Seattle SuperSonics.
• Ralph Soltau: An artist and professor who is known for his diverse forms of expression including tapestry, sculpture, painting, printmaking, and installation art.
• Kim Soltau: A professional Australian rules football player who has represented teams such as the Port Adelaide Magpies, the Adelaide Crows, and the Brisbane Bears.
• Werner Soltau: A German actor and director who has appeared in numerous television shows and films, such as Broken Bridge, Kodak Moment, and Horst Tappert’s Der Kommissar.
• Claus Soltau: A German sculptor, painter, and draftsman whose works are included in the permanent exhibition of the Lüneburg Art Museum.
• Neil Soltau: An American actor, writer, and producer who has worked on a variety of projects such as "Star Trek: Voyager," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," and "Blade Runner 2049."
• Robert Soltau: A prominent British landscape painter who travelled Europe extensively, attending the Academies of Rome and Parma in Italy.
• Cynthia Soltau: A British theatre artist, director, and social activist who is the Artistic Director of the Taurus Theatre Company.
• Christopher Soltau: A British theatre artist, director, and actor who is known for his work on "The Book of Mormon" and "Matilda the Musical."
• Rolf Soltau: A German orchestra conductor who has conducted the National Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, among others.

Other surnames

Soltauer