Surname von der Landwehr - Meaning and Origin
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von der Landwehr: What does the surname von der Landwehr mean?
The last name von der Landwehr is a German name meaning 'from the border defence.' It originated in the early medieval period of Germany when border defences, referred to as the 'landwehr' were established around area kingdoms and principalities. The people who served in the landwehr were paramount in protecting their home territories and so the name was established as a sign of honour and respect for those defending the borders.
In modern times, the name has become a popular surname amongst families in the German speaking territories, although it is not limited to just this area with the name having spread over time to other countries. The name however is still an indication of a strong sense of patriotism and loyalty to one’s homeland, Germany.
The root of the name is the German “vom” which forms part of the more formal addressing of a name to give recognition of a particularly important role or honourable title. For example, someone with the surname von der Landwehr might be addressed formally as ‘Herr/Frau Vom der Landwehr’.
The name connotes pride and honour in the homeland’s ability to protect itself from invaders and remains a proud and distinctive name in many cultures, commemorating those who fought to protect their homeland.
Order DNA origin analysisvon der Landwehr: Where does the name von der Landwehr come from?
The last name von der Landwehr is a German family name and is still quite common in Germany today. The name originates from a noble family which dates back hundreds of years and was prominent in Prussian military history. It is derived from the German words “von der” which means “from the” and “landwehr” which means “defense”. The family is most widely spread in the states of Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony. These areas were previously part of the grand duchy or duchy of Oldenburg, which was a part of the German Empire until the early 20th century.
The name is also used in the Netherlands and Scandinavia, primarily in Denmark. It is also seen in many other areas across Europe, which may have been influenced by the Prussian influence during the 19th century. This influence has been especially strong in the United Kingdom, where some branches of the Landwehr family have been living for many generations.
Today, the name von der Landwehr is more of a symbol than an actual family name. It symbolizes the importance of family and the importance of tradition in German culture. Hence, even though the family itself may not exist anymore, the name remains an important part of German identity.
Variations of the surname von der Landwehr
The surnames von der Landwehr, Vandenlande, Vandenland, Van de Lande, Vandlande, Van de Land, and Van der Landen all share the same origin. This German surname consists of two parts, meaning “from the land border defense”.
The spelling ‘von der Landwehr’ is the traditional, unaltered spelling. This was adopted as the official spelling during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte when many European countries were under French rule.
The other spellings are more modern variations. The ‘van de Lande’ variant is common in Dutch and Belgian population, largely as an abridged version of the original form.
The other spellings are variations of the original form, often in anglicised variants. ‘Vandenlande’ and ‘Vandlande’ are the two most common in this form, with both being used in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.
The surname ‘Van der Landen’ is comparatively rarer and is mostly used in the Netherlands. This variant generally includes an added ‘n’ at the end of the surname to denote possession or relation.
Overall, these various spellings and surnames share a common origin. In all of them, they refer to a person who originally came from the land bordering defense, likely in the German language.
Famous people with the name von der Landwehr
- Wilhelm von der Landwehr (1809-1889): Prussian statesman, general and Chief of the Prussian General Staff.
- Selma von der Landwehr (1905-1966): German actor and playwright.
- Hermann von der Landwehr (1907-2012): German soldier who served as a colonel in the Wehrmacht during World War II.
- Karl-Friedrich von der Landwehr (1913-1990): German general, Chief of General Staff from 1970 to 1974.
- Dorothea von der Landwehr (1914-1981): German actress and television personality.
- Günther von der Landwehr (1920-2009): German diplomat and an Ambassador to the Soviet Union.
- Hans von der Landwehr (1921-2009): German writer and theater critic.
- Bertha von der Landwehr (1922-2009): German historian and Professor of modern history.
- Erwin von der Landwehr (1925-2008): German politician and member of the Christian Democratic Union.
- Paul von der Landwehr (1943-2008): German journalist and author.