Surname Westerloh - Meaning and Origin
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Westerloh: What does the surname Westerloh mean?
The last name Westerloh is of German origin, and is a habitational name from any of various minor places in North Germany so named, from Old German wester meaning “west” and loh meaning “clearing”. The Westerloh surname is most commonly associated with the state of Lower Saxony in Germany.
In the Middle Ages, it was common to identify a certain family or person by referring to where they originated from. This explains why the early Westerlohs were identified by their place of origin. The name quickly spread throughout Europe and eventually traveled to America.
The original family of Westerlohs were a highly respected line of noblemen in Lower Saxony. They owned vast lands and had wealth and authority. As a German last name, Westerloh connotes wealth, power and fame. The Coat of Arms of the original Westerlohs is a golden lion on a red background, which is a symbol of their noble heritage.
As the Westerloh family spread throughout Europe and the Americas, the name itself become a symbol of prestige and power. People associated with the name Westerloh were regarded as being of high social standing, and were often seen as influential in business and politics.
Today, the name Westerloh remains a popular surname around the world. Now, the Westerloh family tree stretches throughout Europe, Asia, and America – a reminder of a proud heritage with a noble past.
Order DNA origin analysisWesterloh: Where does the name Westerloh come from?
The surname Westerloh is commonly found in Germany, particularly in the north, as well as in parts of the Netherlands. The area in Germany where the name is most concentrated is Lower Saxony, located in central northern Germany.
The name Westerloh has been found in German records dating back to the 17th century. The most common spelling during this time was Westerlo. The original form of the name was Westerloh, based on “west” and “lo,” which mean “near the field.”
Today, Westerloh is one of the top 400 most common surnames in Germany, representing approximately 0.002% of the population. In the Netherlands, Westerloh is found primarily around the city of Luik, in the northern province of Limburg.
In addition to Germany and the Netherlands, many members of the Westerloh family immigrated to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, there are many people with Westerloh ancestry living throughout the United States, particularly in the Midwest and East Coast.
In recent years, the Westerloh family has been linked to professional sports, with former NFL player Doug Westerloh, born in 1995, being the most well-known bearer of the name. Born in Indiana, he attended university in California and was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2018.
As of today, the surname Westerloh is still commonly found throughout Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Westerloh
The surname Westerloh is rooted in the Germanic language and is derived from the Middle Low German word Weterloh, meaning “meadowland.” Westerlo is the Dutch spelling. Variations of this surname include Westerle, Westerlee, Westarlo, Weterle, Westerluh, Westerlohs, Westeloh, Westerlaug, Westerlohe, Westerloh, Westerlau, Westerleh, and Wuesteloh.
There are distinct regions where Westerloh is particularly prominent, including the Netherlands, Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In Germany, Westerloh is the most common spelling, while in the Netherlands, the spelling is typically Westerlo.
Westerloh can also be spelled using different spellings such as Weserloh, Weserle, Westerlau, Wüsterloh, Wusterloh, and Westeloh. The spelling is also adapted for language-specific purposes, such as the Dutch Susterloh, which means "sister’s meadow."
Surnames associated with the Westerloh surname include Weßterlohe, Westerle, Westerlee, Weterle, and Westerluh. More obscure spellings of this surname are Wuesteloh, Westerlaug, Westerlohe, Westerlohs, Westeloh, Westerlau, and Westerleh.
In addition to the spellings mentioned, Westerlow and Westerloo are common surnames found in certain countries. Finally, this surname can appear in different forms, such as Westerlah, Westerla, Westerlay, and Westerley.
Famous people with the name Westerloh
- Hannah Westerloh: German actress, known for her roles in The Cabinet Of Dr. Ramirez and My Name Is Somebody.
- Kevin Westerloh: American musician and actor, best known for his role as Alan in the television series, Promised Land.
- Curtis Westerloh: American soccer coach and former professional player.
- Eric Westerloh: American volleyball player.
- Klaus Westerloh: German handball player.
- Geert Westerloh: Dutch musician, known as a solo artist and a member of the band Roth, Westerloh.
- Philipp Westerloh: German footballer, currently plays for Holstein Kiel II.
- Justus von Westerloh: German businessman, owner of the Deutz-Fahr agricultural machinery company.
- Nico Westerloh: German sculptor and painter.
- Matt Westerloh: American basketball coach and former player.
- Kerstin Westerloh: German alpine skier.
- Wes Westerloh: American college football head coach for the University of Arizona.
- Rob Westerloh: American college basketball coach, currently at Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho.
- Bjorn Westerloh: German footballer, currently plays for FC Groningen.
- Anneke Westerloh: Dutch cricketer, formerly played for Netherlands women's national cricket team.