Surname Wealer - Meaning and Origin
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Wealer: What does the surname Wealer mean?
The last name Wealer is of German origin and has evolved over the centuries. It is probably derived from the old German name "Waler," and in some cases, the spelling may have been altered due to dialects and influences from other languages. The original meaning of the name is thought to be related to the word "walen," which means to dig or in some cases, to cleanse, suggesting that the word could have originally referred to a person who had a job digging or cleansing something.
Throughout centuries, the meaning of Wealer has also been interpreted as a respelling of the name Waller, which is a topographic term denoting someone who lived near a wall or hedge. It may have also been related to the occupation of a waller, someone who works with walls. This could suggest the family originated from a region or city where walls were important to provide a defensive system.
The ancient Germanic roots of the name may also suggest that it was originally given to someone as a descriptive or symbolic word to represent their characteristics such as strength or justice. Other possible meanings could have been a type of armor worn in battle or a form of protection against enemies.
Today, people who bear the Wealer name may have variants such as Waeler, Waelers, and Waler. As a result, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact meaning of the name since it has evolved over time.
Order DNA origin analysisWealer: Where does the name Wealer come from?
The surname Wealer is most commonly found in the United States. The origin of the surname is most likely of German origin and is derived from the personal name Weller with the Middle High German “Weller” which means “boiler maker.” As of 2020, ancestry.com found over 1,300 people with the surname Wealer living in the United States. The largest concentration of Wealers live in Pennsylvania with 543 people and Ohio with 232 people. There are also significant Wealer populations in Maryland (127), New York (115) and California (83). Smaller numbers of Wealers are found throughout the rest of the US as well as Canada and Germany.
Wealers have a long history in the U.S., with early records dating to the 1700s. During the American Civil War, numerous Wealers served in both the Union and Confederate Armies. Daniel Wealer, a resident of Pennsylvania, enlisted in the 136th Regiment of the Pennslyvania Volunteers in 1863 and served until 1865. He is one of the many Wealers who served in the US Military during the Civil War.
The Wealer name is no longer concentrated in the US, however, as more of the family members have spread out to other countries around the world. There are currently Wealers living in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany.
Overall, the Wealer surname is still comparatively common in the US and Canada. In the US, the greatest concentrations are found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland. This surname has become less common in Germany, however, due to emigration from the country in the 19th and 20th centuries. There is also a growing number of Wealers living in other parts of the world, including in the UK, Australia, and other European countries.
Variations of the surname Wealer
The surname Wealer has a variety of variant spellings and surnames that are derived from the same origin. These include Wealr, Wealer, Whealer, Wheeler, Whaler, Wieler, Weeler, Wealer, Whealer, Whealor, Whealer, Whealor, and Whealerot.
Wealer is an English and German occupational surname derived from the professions of wheeler and whaler. A wheller was someone who wheeled goods from one place to another in a cart, while a whaler was a person involved in the business of hunting whales. The name first appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, where Alfred of Baddlesmer is mentioned as "Wieler".
The Whealr spelling is also derived from the same origin. This spelling is predominately used in Ireland, and is believed to be derived from a traditional Irish name meaning ‘son of the Wheelwright’. This could mean that the surname was once used as a nickname for someone in the wheelwright profession.
The Whealer spelling is a variation which evolved from the Wheler variation. This spelling is most common in North America and suggests that the Wealer surname may have been adopted by immigrants from Scotland and Ireland, where the name was previously recorded.
The Wheeler variation is the most common in England. This version of the surname likely originated from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘wieler’, meaning wheeler.
The Whealor and Whealerot variations can be traced back to Germany, and are believed to have evolved from the German spelling of Wieler.
Finally, the Weeler variation is derived from an old Anglo-Saxon-Norman term meaning wheelwright. This is arguably the most popular variant of the Wealer surname.
Famous people with the name Wealer
- Jan Wealer: Dutch football player
- Lawrence Wealer: American scientist
- Guy Wealer: Belgian actor
- Pieter Wealer: Dutch actor
- Bob Wealer: American musician
- Luc Wealer: Belgian businessman
- Paul Wealer: Brazilian politician
- Marcus Wealer: Dutch architect
- Fred Wealer: French actor
- Barbara Wealer: Canadian actress