Surname Westervelt - Meaning and Origin

Westervelt: What does the surname Westervelt mean?

The last name Westervelt is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the Low German word “westerveld” which originally referred to the geographic area of the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. The name is composed of two elements – “west” meaning “west” and the common suffix “veld” which means “field” or “area”. Thus, the surname Westervelt literally means “from the west field” or “from the west area” and refers to an ancestral home that is located in the western part of this region, implying a geographical sense of origin.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Westervelt has been adopted in many countries, particularly in areas of settlement by Dutch immigrants throughout Europe and the Americas. The family name became a recognized surname in the Netherlands, where records indicate it was first recorded in 13th century. From there, it quickly spread to other parts of the world.

Today, people who carry the last name Westervelt tend to represent a wide variety of professions, lifestyles and areas of origin. From the ancient Low German roots of the surname, Westervelts have now established a presence in many countries around the globe. This is evidence of the success that has come to pass from the family’s enterprising beginning and the courage of its ancestors who have ventured to new territories to make their fortunes. Despite the geographical and cultural dislocation faced by the Westervelts of today, the family bond still remains strong and the family’s legacy of courage and determination lives on.

Westervelt: Where does the name Westervelt come from?

The last name Westervelt is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. It is an Americanized version of a Dutch family name that was brought over by immigrant ancestors. Originally, it was spelled as Van Westervelt, but the ‘van’ was often dropped as the name evolved into its present form. In the United States, the surname can be found in most of the country, but its highest concentrations are in Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, and Minnesota. Canada has smaller concentrations of Westervelt families, but these are mostly located in Ontario and Quebec.

The origin of the name Westervelt is located in the Dutch province of Zeeland, in the Dutch town of Westkapelle. The Van Westervelt family name dates back to the year 1702, when a certain Jan Willemsz van Westervelt (born 1661) first appears in historical records.

The Van Westervelt family was a large and important family name during the late 1600s in the area. While large concentrations of people bearing the name Westervelt no longer exist in Holland, the United States and Canada continue to be the primary residence for individuals with this surname.

Variations of the surname Westervelt

Variants of the surname Westervelt include Westerfield, Westerelt, Westerelte, Westerfelth, Westrevelt, Wisterelt, Wisterfelth, Westrelt and Wisterelt. Variations of whe spelling include Westerveldt, Westerveld, Westerfelt, Westerveld, Westerveldt, Westerveld, Westervelt, Westerveldt, Westerveld, Westerfelt and Westerveult.

Surnames of the same origin include Westermann, Westerman, Webert, Westerman, Westerhof, Westerman, Weverling, Wescott, Weiskotten, Wattsman and Wasselvelt. Variations of the spelling of these surnames include Westerman, Wisterman, Weertman, Westermann, Westermannn, Wiesman, Wespott, Westcott, Weskotten, Wattzman and Wesselveldt.

The Westervelt surname has a variety of origins and spellings across many languages and cultures. The family name is primarily Dutch and German in origin, but it is also seen in parts of Scandinavia and the English-speaking world. It is thought to have been derived from the West-frisian word "Veldt", which means field or farmstead, and the elements wester (west) and velt (field). In some cases, the original spelling was Westeveldt, from which the variants Westervelt or Westerveldt were derived. In England, the Westerfelt surname is the Anglo-Saxon variation of the original Dutch or German name. In France, the surname Westerelte is derived from the French word Elter, meaning wild animal.

The variations of the name have since spread to all parts of the world. As a result, the Westervelt surname is seen in many countries, cultures and languages today, with a range of different spellings and origins.

Famous people with the name Westervelt

• Dick Westervelt, a celebrated American muralist from New York City.
• Joost Westervelt, Dutch entrepreneur and founder of Westervelt Groep, an international real estate and investment company.
• William A. Westervelt, a noted American photographer, known for his pictures of settlers in the Hawaiian Islands.
• Thisbe Westervelt, an American poet who began publishing her own work in 2006.
• James Westervelt, an American playwright best known for his Broadway play "The Room Where It Happened".
• Elmer Westervelt, a former mayor of Freeport, New York.
• Mary Westervelt, American activist and the leader of the Water Street Laborers Union in the 1890s.
• Jackson Westervelt, a successful American businessman who was a major figure in the early years of the automobile industry.
• Mary Ann Westervelt, a 37th generation descendant of the original Dutch settlers of New York.
• Robert Westervelt, an American philanthropist and inventor who established the Westervelt Foundation for Literacy and Education.

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