Surname Westhoven - Meaning and Origin
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Westhoven: What does the surname Westhoven mean?
The last name Westhoven is of German origin. It is a variant of the name Westhoff, which in turn is derived from the given name Walter. The literal meaning of the name Walter is "ruler of the army," and Westhoven could be interpreted as an "estate of the army ruler" or a place ruled by a warrior.
Historically, Westhoven was mainly found in the Oberpfalz region of Germany, in what is today Rhineland-Palatinate and Bavaria. It is thought to have originated in the Westhoven Castle, located in the village of the same name in Germany.
The Westhoven family has a long history of involvement in German agricultural activities, specifically plant cultivation. Over the centuries, members of the Westhoven family have been farmers, landowners, millers, merchants, and miners.
Today, the Westhoven family is a prominent force in German society, with members serving in office in various capacities. They are intelligent, articulate professionals found in many fields, including business, law, medicine and education, as well as a number of creative activities such as publishing, interior design, photography, and fashion.
The Westhoven name signifies strength, courage, and ambition. It is a proud, noble name with a long and distinguished history, that is now widely dispersed across the globe as descendants of the Westhoven family continue to make their mark in their chosen field.
Order DNA origin analysisWesthoven: Where does the name Westhoven come from?
The last name Westhoven is a surname which originated in the Netherlands and is most common there today. It can also be found across Europe in countries such as Belgium, Germany, and France in varying numbers. Over the centuries, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands used the Westhoven name for her great-grandmother’s family, most likely originating the surname.
According to the City of Amsterdam, Westhoven is a top 10 surname in the Netherlands, but is more popular in rural areas. In the Netherlands, the Westhoven name is especially popular in the provinces of Zeeland, Utrecht, and Friesland. The Netherlands also has four cities with a population of at least 1,000 people with the Westhoven name: Rozendaal, De Bilt, Ter Aar, and Amsterdam.
Outside the Netherlands, the Westhoven name can be found in other parts of Europe and in the United States. In some areas, the Westhoven name has been changed to Westhove due to pronunciation adjustments. In the United States, Westhoven is found in Pennsylvania, California, New York, Ohio, and Georgia, and is most commonly found in Pennsylvania.
The Westhoven name is also associated with a Canadian branch of the Westhof family. The Westhofen family emigrated to Canada in the early 20th century and their last name was eventually changed to Westhoven. Today, Westhoven is the fifth most popular last name in Canada and is mostly represented in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia provinces.
Variations of the surname Westhoven
The Westhoven surname is an ancient Dutch name primarily originating from the Brabant area of the Netherlands. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Westhoff, Westhoffen, Westhof, Westhofen, Westhove, Westhoven, Wesselhoven, Westover, Westhoffe, De Westhof, Westhauve, Wethphoff, Westwoern, Westphuel, Westfall, Westfallen, Wostfall, Westphal, Westphael, Westphalen, Westvelen, Wessel, Wessels, Wesselsen, Van Wessel, and Van Wesseljo.
The Westhoven name also appears in America under modified spellings such as Wastell, Wasson, Wessell, and Wesson. In addition, the surname is also commonly found in Germany and England under the spellings Wiesenthal, Westphal, Wesphal, Westhor, and Westhorne.
Throughout the years, other variants of the Westhoven surname have been found in a variety of European countries, including Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Italy, and England.
Since its origins in the Netherlands, the Westhoven surname has been carried down from generation to generation in different parts of the world. Its variants and spellings serve as a reminder of the heritage and history behind this ancient name.
Famous people with the name Westhoven
- Maria Westhoven: Dutch televison presenter and former radio presenter.
- Henk Westhoven: Dutch motor sports journalist and reporter for Dutch television channel NOS and Eurosport.
- Jacob Westhoven: Dutch football midfielder who most recently played for Eerste Divisie side FC Eindhoven.
- Mitch Westhoven: Belgian motorcycle road racer who has competed in the Superbike World Championship and the FIM Endurance World Championship.
- Patrick Westhoven: Dutch professional footballer who currently plays for Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eerste Divisie.
- John Westhoven: American actor and stuntman who has worked on shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and War of the Worlds.
- Chapell Westhoven: American music video director and producer who has worked with artists such as Dierks Bentley and Kip Moore.
- Kristen Westhoven: American sports journalist and co-anchor of the Houston, Texas-based newscast KPRC 2.
- Martijn Westhoven: Dutch actor who has appeared in several films and television series, including The Gang of Oss and The Resistance Banker.
- Amy Westhoven: American journalist and anchor for the television network CNN.