Surname Westerholz - Meaning and Origin
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Westerholz: What does the surname Westerholz mean?
The last name Westerholz is a German surname found primarily in North America, chiefly in the United States. It derives from the Old German words 'west' and 'holz', meaning 'west wood'. It is likely that it was originally a topographic name for someone who lived in the west part of a forest, or in the area of a big forest.
The Westerholz surname pre-dates the 19th century, when many German people emigrated to North America in search of a better life. The first recorded Westerholz family in the U.S. arrived in Philadephia in 1747. The Westerholzes are believed to have originated in the German province of Oldenburg, particularly in the cities of Norden and Emstek.
Today, some members of the extended Westerholz family still live in Germany, but most of them have resettled in the U.S. Persons of the Westerholz surname are mainly concentrated in the Midwest, especially in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakotas. The family has also spread to the West Coast, mainly in California.
Overall, the Westerholz family is an important part of the early German-American communities and an important part of the United States culture. Today, the surname is a testament to the determination, bravery, and ambition of the individuals who undertake the journey of immigration.
Order DNA origin analysisWesterholz: Where does the name Westerholz come from?
The last name Westerholz is most commonly found in Germany today, although it was also noted in France and Switzerland at a lesser frequency throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The surname originated in the Germanic regions that are now known as Lower Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate. It is believed to have first originated during the Middle Ages when family names were beginning to be adopted by various settlers. The most notable variants of the surname Westerholz include Westholz, Weesterholz, & Vaesterholz.
In modern Germany, it is most commonly found in urban areas throughout the Northern regions. The origin of the surname, howevr, can be traced back much further. In fact, during the 15th century, a Lorenz Westerholz is recorded in Einbeck, located in the former East Frisian Circle. Following that, records also show that there were a few family members who resided in Kiel and Norderstapel during the 16th century. Today, Germany is still the main location for people with the last name Westerholz.
In recent times, Westerholz is also no longer considered to be a unique German last name. Instead, various forms of the surname have become more mainstream worldwide, likely due to the rise in international migration since the 19th century. While a large percentage of individuals with this last name still reside in Germany, smaller populations can be found in North America, Australia, and beyond. Therefore, a search of ancestry records may reveal the presence of this family name across many different countries.
Variations of the surname Westerholz
The surname Westerholz is a German family name. It is derived from the Old German words ‘West’ meaning ‘western’ and ‘holz’ meaning ‘wood’ or ‘forest’. Thus, the surname implies someone who lived in or near the western forest. It is also a variation of Westhölster, a toponymic surname from a place named Westerholz in the state of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany.
The variants of the surname Westerholz include Westerhalt, Westerholle, Westerhols, Westerholte, Westphal, Wästholz, Wästerhöltz, and Westhöltz.
An alternate spelling is Weserholz, and its variants. The common spelling of this surname is Wesserholz, which is prevalent in England and Wales.
The variants Westerhalt and Westerhols are seen primarily in Germany. The variant Westphal is seen mainly in the United States. The variant Wästholz is found in Switzerland.
Surnames associated with the surname Westerholz include Weisserhalt, Westphal, and Weusterholtz. Weisserhalt is a variation of Westerhalt that is found in Germany and elsewhere. Westphal is derived from the surname Westerholz and is found mainly in the United States. Weusterholtz is a variation of Westerholz and is found predominantly in Germany and the United States.
In conclusion, the surname Westerholz has many variants, spellings and affiliated surnames. The variants are found mainly in Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, while the affiliated surnames are seen predominantly in Germany and the United States.
Famous people with the name Westerholz
- Anna Westerholz: German art historian and ensorologist
- Robert Westerholz: American National Football League player
- Heinrich Westerholz (1826–1902): German landscape painter
- Christian Westerholz: German cyclist
- Christl Westerholz: German singer and voice actress
- Francois Westerholz: Belgian pianist
- Sabine Westerholz: German clothing designer
- Mark Westerholz (1965–2017): American jazz musician and composer
- Thomas Westerholz: German mathematician
- Arne Westerholz: Swedish banker