Surname Weiershausen - Meaning and Origin

Weiershausen: What does the surname Weiershausen mean?

The last name Weiershausen is of German origin and is a topographical name for someone who lived in a meadow or property surrounded by willow trees. This name first originated from places in the Middle and Lower Rhein regions of Germany. It is derived from the term “helshusen”, which is often used to designate lowlands or moist meadows. The literal definition of the word means “wet valley” or “low-lying area”.

The first record of the name 'Weiershausen' appeared in the 1200s in the Rheinland Palatinate during the Middle Ages. While it is quite old, the name is still a distinctive and recognizable German surname. During that time, surnames were used to distinguish individuals from one another, and often referred to someone’s occupation or physical characteristics. It is not likely that all of those who bear this surname are connected to one another, but this does not discount the importance of the name to the history and culture of German-speaking people.

Today, the surname Weiershausen is still prevalent, though it is most commonly found in the areas of original settlement; the regions of Lower Rhein, Hesse, and Thuringia in Germany. The surname has been adopted in other countries, but is not commonly seen outside of German-speaking populations.

Weiershausen: Where does the name Weiershausen come from?

The last name Weiershausen is most commonly found today in Germany. According to a 2019 population census, the name is present in at least six of Germany's sixteen federal states, with concentrations in Rhineland-Palatinate, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia.

Weiershausen is a German locational surname which refers to those who came from any of the numerous locations at which it is found. It is primarily concentrated in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. There is also an area in Rhineland-Palatinate near the town of Weilerswist. It is likely the surname originated from this region.

Germany has one of the most comprehensive and accurate records of genealogy in the world due its system of civil registration. This means that most records date back to the mid of the 19th century, allowing individuals to confirm their family histories and works backwards to the 16th century.

Given the historic and cultural significance of German records, the last name Weiershausen is likely to continue to exist in Germany, even if family members move abroad. It is one of the most common German surnames, according to the 2019 survey by the Federal Statistical Office. As it stands, however, the last name is most likely to be found in the same areas of Germany today that it was centuries ago.

Variations of the surname Weiershausen

The "Weiershausen" surname is an old and noble form of Germanic-language surnames. This surname originated from various places called “Weiershausen.” It is derived from the Germanic elements “wih” meaning “battle” and “hausin” meaning “house.”

At the core of Weiershausen, there are several variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some common variations of the surname Weiershausen include Weiershausen, Weirs, Wierhaus, Weyers, Weyershausen and Weyrers, among others.

The initial form of the surname Weiershausen was initially found in numerous different regions of Germany. Many of the spellings reflect regional preferences, mainly the combination of Germanic dialects, such as Hessian, Allemanic, Thuringian, and more.

There were many variations in the Weiershausen surname. In some regions, it was known as Weires and in some cases, Weyrs. In other areas, it was known as Wiers, which is a common variant. The Weyers and Weyershausen spelling is less common.

Due to the variations in spelling, it has been difficult to trace the historical migration of the Weiershausen family. It is, however, believed that in the past, many members of the Weiershausen family, under various spellings, migrated from Germany to other countries including the United States, England, Australia, and Canada.

Today, all of the variants of Weiershausen are commonly used, although some are more prevalent than others. All of the variants of the surname Weiershausen are still present in many parts of Germany and the rest of the world.

Famous people with the name Weiershausen

• Gisele Weiershausen: Brazilian model and pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Paraná in 1994.
• Oskar Weiershausen: German equestrian rider who competed in show jumping and won gold at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
• Otho Weiershausen: British soldier who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery during World War I.
• William Weiershausen: Actor who starred in both German and American films, appearing in movies such as Kein Ohr Hasen and The Big Red One.
• Robert Weiershausen: German professor of mathematics and philosophy, known for his work on Finite Element Method and Coordinate-Free Electrical Chemistry.
• Hildegard Weiershausen: German cartoonist and illustrator, best-known for her books Little Blue Train and Hansel and Gretel.
• Wilhelm Weiershausen: German artist known for his paintings of everyday life in Germany during the 1940s and 1950s.
• Rudolf Weiershausen: German football player who scored two goals in the 1954 World Cup Final.
• Gerhard Weiershausen: German World War II flying ace credited with shooting down 14 enemy aircraft.
• Greg Weiershausen: American stuntman who appeared in movies such as The Italian Job and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Other surnames

Weiershäuser