Surname Welze - Meaning and Origin
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Welze: What does the surname Welze mean?
The last name Welze is derived from a variety of sources, including German, Dutch, and Danish. It is primarily an occupational surname, referring to someone who worked in a sawmill. The name comes from the Middle High German word "welze" meaning "sawmill," or was derived from the Germanic "wald" meaning "forest."
In Germany, the region of Westphalia was the popular origin for the Welze surname. According to records, it is noted in the 14th century in a place called Welzel or Welsele. Later, it was found in the sources of other places such as the Eifel, Saxony, Bergisches Land, Holstein, and Mecklenburg.
In the Netherlands, the Welze surname can be traced back to families who settled in the Ostfriesland district of the country, though this is less common.
In Denmark, the Welze surname is most commonly found in the district of Fyn or Bornholm in the eastern part of the country.
Most importantly, Welze has come to be a surname that has spread around the world. People with the last name Welze can be found throughout Europe, North America, South America, and even Australia.
No matter where it is located today, the Welze surname stands for strong roots in various cultures and heritages as a part of the diverse global population.
Order DNA origin analysisWelze: Where does the name Welze come from?
The last name Welze is most commonly found in Germany today. It is most likely of German origin and has been recorded in documents in Germany since as early as the 17th century. The name is not particularly common, though it can still be found in some parts of Germany today. It is most often associated with areas such as northern Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and parts of Schleswig-Holstein.
One possible origin for the last name Welze is from the surname Welsch, which is sometimes found as Welze. In German, Welsch is most commonly used as a regional term for someone from an area known as Vlach, located mainly in eastern Europe. The Vlach people were a mix of Latin, Slavic, and Germanic speaking people who were mostly of Roman Catholic religion. It is possible that the last name Welze is derived from this Vlach ancestry.
Another possibility is that the Welze name derived from a shortened version of the German name Welzel, which can be a combination of other German names, such as Weltmann (man of the world) and Zelter (the one who belong to the woods).
No matter the origin, the last name Welze is generally associated with Germany today and can be found in some parts of the country.
Variations of the surname Welze
The variants, spellings, and surnames of origin for the surname Welze primarily include Weltz, Welts, and Welte. The spellings may change depending on the region. Variants of the surname Welze are derived from its first recorded bearer, a man from the region of present-day Austria and Bavaria, whose name was Welze.
The German spelling of the surname Welze is “Weltz” while in some regions of America the surname may be spelled “Welts” or “Welte”. However, this spelling could also be a shortened version of the surname Welze.
In German and Dutch-speaking areas, variants of the surname can also be found, including Welzer, Wezze, Weiße, Weilz, Weltzbach, Weltzke, Walts, and Welz. Variations of the surname in the United Kingdom vary from Welsh, Weeles, Wiles, Wileson, and Wilz.
The surname Welze can also be found in French-speaking areas, such as France, Belgium, and Canada, variations include Welte and Wez. Additionally, the surname Welze is seen quite often in some Slavic countries with variations such as Velz, Welc, Welcz, and Welce.
Due to the frequent migration of individuals of the Welze surname throughout Europe, some individuals may not be aware of the origin of the surname and it's various spellings. Therefore, researching one's family history and exploring records of varying areas is the best way to pinpoint the origin and uncover further spellings and variations of the surname Welze.
Famous people with the name Welze
- John Welzein: Former Daily Show Correspondent, host of his own podcast
- Jeff Welzein: Creator and executive producer of sitcoms like Unhappily Ever After
- Theodor Welzein: German theologian and Lutheran minister
- Albert Welzein: Former CEO of the Minnesota Timberwolves
- Wilhelm Welzein: Famed 19th century Hungarian sculptor
- Erich Welzein: Austrian artist and photographer
- Robert Welzein: American poet and professor
- Margaret Welzein: Canadian author and psychotherapist
- Gladys Welzein: American painter and printmaker
- Hannah Welzein: British playwright and theatre director.