Surname Waelder - Meaning and Origin

Waelder: What does the surname Waelder mean?

The last name Waelder is of German origin and is derived from the German word “wald” meaning “forest” or “woods.” Waelder roughly translates to “woodman,” and is an occupational name given to people living and working in the forest.

The name Waelder was likely given to hunters, loggers, charcoal makers, and other foresters who were the primary stewards of Germany’s vast forest. As such, Waelder family members were historically regarded as protectors of the woodlands, with a hand in much of the country’s timber trade.

The earliest records of the Waelder name date back to 12th century Germany, with the first recorded instance being in Regensburg in 1239. By the 1500’s, the name had spread across central Europe, as the wood and timber industry began to take off.

Today, the Waelder name is quite common in Germany and across German-speaking countries, however, it has also spread to the United States, as well as other areas of the world. Those bearing the name Waelder are still regarded as protectors of the woodlands, with many of them still living and working in the same occupations as their forefathers.

Waelder: Where does the name Waelder come from?

The last name Waelder is primarily popular in Germany today. It is also found in areas that had strong German influence historically, such as the United States, Canada, Austria, and Switzerland.

In Germany, the name is most commonly found in large cities, such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich. It is generally a more popular surname in the southern states, such as Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

In the US, the name Waelder is most commonly encountered in the Midwest, thanks to German immigrants who have been in the area for generations. Wisconsin is home to a large German-American population, and many Waelder families can be found there today. In Canada, the name is also more prevalent in the eastern provinces, specifically in Ontario.

In Austria, the Waelder name is generally concentrated in the northern parts of the country, such as Lower Austria and Vienna. Similarly, in Switzerland, the name is concentrated in the German-speaking part of the country.

The name Waelder can also be encountered in other parts of the world, such as Australia, Mexico, and South Africa. These are likely distant relatives who chose to emigrate from Germany to pursue better opportunities.

Variations of the surname Waelder

The surname Waelder is an old German name that means "forester". It is derived from the Middle High German word Wald, which means “forest”.

The original spelling of the surname was Wailder, Waildur, Waildir, Waildar, and Wailder. Over time, the spelling of the surname has changed and it is now spelled in many different ways, including Waelder, Waeldner, Welter, Walder, Welder, and Weidner.

Surnames that have the same origin as Waelder include Walder, Waldner, Woldner, Wieder, Weidner, Weider, Welther, and Weltner. These surnames changed their spelling over time, just like the Waelder surname.

Other spelling variants of the Waelder surname include Wailder, Waildur, Waildir, Waildar, Waeldener, and Waeldner. This surname can also appear as Vaelter, Vaeldner, Waelter, Waelther, and Waeltner.

In some instances, the surname Waelder can be found spelled with a double “l,” such as Waelderr or Waeller.

Additionally, variations of the Waelder surname, such as Valder, Volder, Waylder, and Walder, all derive from the same origin.

Famous people with the name Waelder

• Boris Waelder (1906-1996), a German economist and professor who played an important role in the development of German macroeconomics.
• Robert Waelder (1894-1973), an Austrian psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who served as president of the International Psychoanalytical Association from 1954 to 1957.
• Franz Waelder (1906-1978), an Austrian philologist and historian who wrote extensively on central European and Scandanavian history.
• Martha Minow Waelder (1934-2020), an American legal scholar and professor who was on the faculty of Harvard Law School for more than 50 years.
• Monika Waelder (born 1989), a German-American chess master and international arbiter who has won numerous chess tournaments around the world.
• Stephan Waelder (1902-1984), a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist who is best known for his work on group psychotherapy.
• Helmut Waelder (1919-2007), a German-American biomedical researcher and professor who published more than 400 papers and several books in the fields of endocrinology and immunology.
• Jens Waelder (1942-2014), a German composer and pianist who created many pieces for theatre, radio plays, and films.
• Arnold Waelder (1904-1980), a Swiss chemist and professor who developed several analytical techniques and made a number of contributions to the field of biochemistry.
• Martin Waelder (1882-1967), an Austrian sculptor and artist whose work is on display in museums and galleries around the world.

Other surnames

Waeldchen