Surname Walenzus - Meaning and Origin
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Walenzus: What does the surname Walenzus mean?
Walenzus is a German origin surname derived from the old Germanic words 'wal' or 'wald' meaning forest, and 'ena' or 'anz' meaning edge or boundary. This name, therefore, is most likely referring to a family whose ancestors lived near or alongside a forest boundary. Alternatively, Walenzus may have been derived from the Slavic language, meaning 'traveler'. This could mean that the family were traders, or had roots in travelling.
The earliest records of the Walenzus name date back to 1257, when one Rutger Walenzus is mentioned in a charter of the Imperial Free City of Königsberg. Other records in the area of Brandenburg and Lower Saxony from the 16th and 17th centuries also reference this singular version of 'Walenzus' as a family name.
Although not considered a popular German surname, there are still many people who bear the name Walenzus. Today, it is often used as a first name, or even a middle name, throughout Europe, and in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Overall, the name Walenzus is a reminder of the family’s past, either referring to their abode near or inside a forest, or their nomadic ancestor who travelled to far off lands in search of a new home.
Order DNA origin analysisWalenzus: Where does the name Walenzus come from?
The last name Walenzus is primarily located in Germany. Records indicate that the name first appeared in the early 1500s in the area of present-day Saxony, located in the Eastern part of the country. Over the centuries, Walenzus families spread throughout many regions of Germany, including Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Hesse, and Thuringia.
Today, the main concentrations of households with the last name Walenzus are found in the cities of Berlin, Munich, and Stuttgart. However, due to Germany's turbulent past, some families bearing the name may also be found in other European countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world, as some descendants chose to emigrate away from Germany.
Interestingly, the name's various spellings frequently point to a possible origin in Eastern Europe. Aside from the spelling Walenzus, other variants of the name include Walenzuse, Walenczus, Valenszus, and Wolenszu.
Despite being dispersed widely across the globe, relatives of the original Walenzus line still continue to congregate in the original regions of Germany where the name originated, as well as in the countries they eventually settled in throughout the centuries.
Variations of the surname Walenzus
The surname Walenzus is of German origin and is primarily found in South-Eastern Germany, particularly in Bavaria and the Saarland. It is a variant of the surname Wallenzus, Walenze, Walens, Walenzen, Wallenze and Walenz; all of which have the same origin and different spellings. It is also related to surnames such as Walenzel, Wallenzel and Walinzer.
The name is derived from the Old German word 'walah', which means 'no-one' or 'stranger', which could refer to someone who moves from home. It may also be derived from the German term wałens, meaning 'overgrown bush or thicket'.
The earliest known record of the name was in 1272 when Heinrich Walenzus of Siebenbuetlen was mentioned in documents. There are references to Heinrich Walenze who was a magistrate in the 13th century. Other records include Heinrich Wallenzus from Rengsdorf near Bonn in 1383 and Johannes Walens, a nobleman from 1407.
In addition to these spellings of Walenzus, there are variants such as Wallenz, Wallens, Walens and Walins which may have been used to denote people who moved from area to area or generations of the same family.
In modern times, the surname is still prevalent in the European countries of Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, France, Hungary and Poland. In the United States, Walenzus and its variants can be found in California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
Famous people with the name Walenzus
- Matthew Walenzus: a professional opera singer.
- Judith Walenzus: a German television and radio personality.
- Dr. William Walenzus: an American physicist and materials scientist.
- Hugo Walenzus: a Dutch footballer and manager.
- Robert Walenzus: a Polish sports shooter and winner of multiple Olympic gold medals.
- Theodor Walenzus: a Canadian artist.
- Joseph Walenzus: an American composer, conductor, and arranger.
- Stephen Walenzus: an American business executive and entrepreneur.
- Kevin Walenzus: an American professional boxer.
- Edwin Walenzus: an Austrian-born photographer.