Surname Westerwald - Meaning and Origin
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Westerwald: What does the surname Westerwald mean?
The last name Westerwald is derived from Middle High German and means "west wood." This surname has its origins in central Germany, with its original spelling deriving from Vesterwald, meaning "western wood." The name was most likely acquired by people who lived in or near woods in the western part of a region or country.
The name may have been created by combination of the words “west”, the cardinal direction, and "wald", the German word for "wood". In the 14th century, individuals unfortunate enough to have no name of their own were sometimes given surnames directly derived from a distinctive physical or personal characteristic. The Westerwald surname may have also evolved as a result of this custom.
Today, the name Westerwald is found mainly in Germany and the United States. Most of the American Westerwalds descend from a family which left Germany and emigrated to the United States in the 1800s, settling in Pennsylvania. Early German records indicate that there were also branches of the family in Belgium, France, and Switzerland.
The Westerwald surname is still around today, with the most famous bearer being actor Clint Eastwood who has recently said that Westerwald is his middle name. The old German pejorative “Wester Rad” meaning “west stallion” may have been a term of endearment or self-appellation, possibly referring to the power of the West. It is also interesting to note that there is a district in Germany's Westerwald region, which might have been the original home of the Westerwald family.
Order DNA origin analysisWesterwald: Where does the name Westerwald come from?
The last name Westerwald is primarily found in Germany, particularly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse. It is also found in the Netherlands, particularly in the South-East region of Limburg. The name is thought to originate from the Westerwald region of Germany, located in western Hesse and extending partially into North Rhine-Westphalia. The region became popular during the 12th century, after major princes of the Holy Roman Empire granted rights of nobility to its citizens. This name picked up more popularity in the 16th century, when the Westerwald area became a hospitable region for farmers and artisans who were looking for a better life.
Today, the Westerwald is extremely popular for holidaymakers, sporting many trails, campsites and ski resorts. The towns of Limburg and Siegen are notably found within the region, and have a strong population of Westerwald’s. Numerous clans with the last name are still found in rural and suburban parts of Hesse and North Rhine Westphalia, as well as in the Netherlands.
The surname is thought to mean “western forest”, suggesting those who were originally named Westerwald hailed from a place once lined with trees. To this day, the Westerwald area is celebrated by many who hold the last name, honouring their ancestors' ties to the historic region.
Variations of the surname Westerwald
The surname Westerwald is an occupational name that is derived from the United Kingdom's West Midlands region. It is also known to be derived from a place name in Germany, where the name is spelled as "Westerwälder". This name is most commonly found in England and Ireland.
Variants of the surname Westerwald include Westwater, Westrow, Westrowe, Westray, Westraye, Westerwalt, Westervale, Westerwaltz, Westrowl, Westrell, Westerfield, Westerfelde, Westerfald, Westerfeld, Westrold, Westroth, Westrowell, Westerrold, Westerwalt, Westerwood, Westerott, Westrol, Westroel, Westerwaldt, Westrald, Westerwall, and Worterwall.
The surnames Westerwald and Westwater are often found interchangeably, possibly indicating that they are variants of the same origin. Other related names, such as Wortman and Waterman, are believed to be of an entirely different origin, however.
Spellings of the surname Westerwald typically include "Westrwald," "Westerwald," "Weasterwaldt," and "Westerwaltz." The surname is commonly found spelt with the letter "W" at the beginning, but other spellings such as "Estherwald," "Essterwald," and "Estherwaltz" are also known to exist.
Surnames of a similar origin to Westerwald are also found in other countries, including the United States and Canada. The surnames weast, weste, westall, eastwood, and squires are believed to have similar origins, although they are typically found with slight differences in spelling.
Famous people with the name Westerwald
- Danielle Westerwelle, German former football player and coach.
- Sebastian Westerwelle, German former footballer
- Katrin Westerwelle, former German Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
- Karl Wilhelm Westerwald, German educator and author
- Johannes Westerwald, German painter
- Friedrich Westerwald, German geologist
- Arnold Westerwald, German sculptor
- Leopold von Westerwald, German jurist
- Ernest Westerwald, German chemist
- Paul Westerwald, German conductor