Surname Welzel - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Roots of ‘Welzel’: A Stirring Journey into Family's Past Through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Embarking on a DNA analysis journey with iGENEA led to an intriguing exploration of my family name, 'Welzel'. Shedding light on our early origins in Central Europe to migration paths to Russia, and diving into our history and genetic predispositions, the discovery offered a profound reconnection to my roots.

N. Welzel

Welzel: What does the surname Welzel mean?

The last name Welzel is of German origins and has a range of meanings associated with it. It is derived from the Medieval German word "welzel," which is understood to mean "one who lives near a forest or wood." This would suggest that the original bearer of this surname likely lived or worked near some type of woodland area.

The name could also possibly come from the German word ‘welz,’ meaning ‘rule’ or ‘protect’. This would suggest that the original bearer may have been a protector of some type, such as a powerful leader, military commander or even someone in charge of a castle or stronghold.

The name Welzel is found in records of German speaking countries such as Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It could be of some interest that there is also a town called Welzel located in Saxony, Germany. A number of the early bearers of this surname had backgrounds as traders and merchants, but it is certainly possible that some may have been of higher social standing due to its possible origin as an occupational surname. Today, the name Welzel is still common in many parts of Germany and Europe.

Welzel: Where does the name Welzel come from?

The last name Welzel is a German surname that is still commonly found in the country today. Records show that the name was used as far back as the 16th century, when a nobleman surnamed Welzel was mentioned in the Heraldic Roll of Prussia. The origin of Welzel appears to be from Old German words meaning “foreign,” or “stranger.”

Today, Welzel is still a fairly popular surname in much of the German-speaking world. It is primarily linked to northern and eastern Germany, particularly in the states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. According to records, as of 2020 there were at least 17,500 people registered with the name Welzel in Germany alone.

The surname is also found throughout the German diaspora. Welzel families can be found living in the United States, Canada, and countries such as Australia and parts of South America that have traditionally had many German immigrants. In these countries, Welzels often Anglicize their name, with many becoming “Walzel” or “Welzel” with the addition of an extra “e”.

Variations of the surname Welzel

The name Welzel is derived from the German surname, Welzel. It is composed of the German elements welsi, meaning “stronghold”, and hel, meaning “bright” or “shiny”. The surname is also said to be derived from the Middle High German word wels, meaning “proud” or “magnificent”. Variations of Welzel include Welz, Welzelin, Welzlein, and Weltzel. It is also fairly common to find the name with a double “L”, as in Welzl, Welzell, and Wellel.

In addition, the surname Welzel has variants and alternate spellings in different countries. In Poland, the name is spelled Welc; in the Czech Republic, it is spelled Weltl. In Austria, variants include Wels and Welser; in Slovakia it is Veltl and Weltl; and in Norway it is Waelzle.

The surname also has a number of prominent cognates. Some of these include Walz, Walles, Wallasch, Wallaschewski, Vesel, noviz, Vesely, and Volz. All of these names, as well as the various variants of Welzel, have their origins in Germany, and were likely brought to other countries by the many generations of Welzels who left Germany in search of a better life.

Famous people with the name Welzel

• Erik Welzel: German writer and erstwhile actor.
• Katie Welzel: Professional tennis player from the United States.
• Jamie Welzel: Professional golfer from the United States.
• Christian Welzel: Famous political scientist from Germany.
• Mark Welzel: Creator of the innovative communications and promotions firm, BrandStory Marketing.
• Ron Welzel: Former college and professional football coach in the United States.
• John Welzel: Former professional baseball player in the United States.
• Douglas Welzel: American country music singer.
• Harry Welzel: American college and professional football player.
• Bob Welzel: Record-breaking mid-distance runner.
• Greg Welzel: Professional snowboarder from the United States.
• Samantha Welzel: Professional tournament poker player from Canada.
• Wayne Welzel: Award-winning American cinematographer.
• Bernd Welzel: Former German judoka in international competition.
• Martin Welzel: Award-winning German engineer and technical innovator.

Other surnames

Welze