Surname Walkenbach - Meaning and Origin
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Walkenbach: What does the surname Walkenbach mean?
The last name Walkenbach has German origins, and is thought to derive from the German words “walchen” and “bach”. These terms together mean “Swallow stream”, and likely came from a place in Germany called Walkenbach. It is believed to have been used as a surname by medieval settlers of the region, identifying people by the location of their home.
Walkenbach is a patronymic last name. This means that it is passed from father to son, and in the absence of a first name, the Walkenbach last name typically indicated a paternal relationship. The Walkenbach surname is common throughout Germany, but can also be found in areas of the Netherlands as well as in the United States, due to immigration from Germany.
The Walkenbachs throughout time, and today, have contributed to a wide variety of professions and endeavours. Many have become artists, musicians, and politicians, while others have gone on to pursue scholastic pursuits. The Walkenbach’s are known for their ambition, creativity, and boundless energy.
Walkenbach is a charming last name, with a beautiful history. As many of the Walkenbachs have gone on to do great things with their lives, the name is a source of great pride for many people.
Order DNA origin analysisWalkenbach: Where does the name Walkenbach come from?
The surname Walkenbach is most predominantly found in both the United States and Germany. Walkenbach is a surname of German origin, derived from the Middle High German “walkenbac” which referred to a “farmer who lived on the edge of a wood”. In the United States, Pennsylvania is home to the largest population of individuals bearing the surname Walkenbach. It is estimated that the highest concentration of individuals bearing the surname Walkenbach (~460 people) live in the greater Pittsburgh area. According to records from the US Census Bureau, the second largest concentration of Walkenbachs is located in Wisconsin, though the total population is much smaller (~163 individuals) than in Pennsylvania. After Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, the states with the largest concentrations of Walkenbachs are New Jersey, Maryland, and Massachusetts, each with populations of around 100 individuals.
The surname Walkenbach is also very common in Germany, where records show that the total population of Walkenbachs is nearly 4,000 individuals. The highest concentration of Walkenbachs within Germany is located in the Bavarian city of Nürnberg, which houses nearly 2,500 individuals with the surname. This is followed closely by the states of Hesse and Rheinland-Pfalz, which have populations of roughly 800 Walkenbachs each. The remaining Walkenbachs can be found in various other regions all over the country.
Variations of the surname Walkenbach
Walkenbach is a surname of German origin, that can alternatively spelled as Walkenbuch, Walkenbaugh, and Walkenbacher.
The spelling of Walkenbach is a combination of two German words - 'walken' meaning 'to storm' and 'bach' meaning 'brook'. As such, the original meaning of the surname Walkenbach is literally 'to storm the brook'.
Given that the English and German languages are so closely related however, the meaning can also be interpreted as 'breaking the rushing brook', which reflects the assertive nature of a ruling class in times past.
Walkenbuch is a variant spelling of the German surname Walkenbach, which more starkly reflects the German words that the spelling of the surname is derived from. The word 'buch' is German for 'book', which implies an even more instructive meaning - 'breaking the brook in the book'. The name implies an ordered method and a source of power.
Walkenbaugh and Walkenbacher both represent a merger of the two German words that form the basis of the surname Walkenbach - 'walken' and 'bach'. In this case, 'baugh' and 'bacher' are both derivative terms of 'bach', with 'baugh' being derived from the High German word 'bach', and 'bacher' from the Middle German term 'backe'. As such, the surnames Walkenbaugh and Walkenbacher can both be interchangeable with Walkenbach.
All of these variants of the surname Walkenbach carry with them a strong and assertive meaning, and would have likely been adopted by powerful German ruling families or knights in the Middle Ages.
Famous people with the name Walkenbach
- Christopher Walkenbach: Actor, singer and screenwriter who has won numerous awards.
- John Walkenbach: Accounting expert and author, specializing in Microsoft Excel.
- Janice Walkenbach: Artist and writer, whose works explore social and economic issues in the United States.
- William E. Walkenbach: Former two-star Rear Admiral in the United States Navy.
- Dave Walkenbach: Former professional football player who had stints with the Seattle Seahawks and other National Football League teams.
- Charles W. Walkenbach: Former United States Marine Corps Major General.
- Clarence W. Walkenbach: American football player, college athletics administrator and coach.
- Amanda Walkenbach: Country music singer-songwriter.
- Donna Walkenbach: Montessori educator and author.
- Thomas Walkenbach: NEA Jazz Master, jazz vibraphonist and percussionist.