Surname Wetterhahn - Meaning and Origin
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Wetterhahn: What does the surname Wetterhahn mean?
The last name Wetterhahn is a German surname derived from two words, the word "wetter" which translates to weather, and the word "hahn" which translates to cock or rooster. Together, the two words create a name that literally means "weather-cock" or "weather-rooster."
In some regions of Europe, a weather-cock is a device that is used to predict the weather and serves as a primitive form of meteorology. The weather-cock is typically mounted on the highest point of a building or structure and rotates with the wind direction, indicating to those nearby which direction the wind is blowing. This was an important tool for sailing ships, and weather-cocks were placed atop masts and on rooftops so that sailors could determine the direction of the wind in order to better navigate unknown waters.
Today, the name Wetterhahn is still in use across Germany and other parts of Europe, and while its meaning is most often associated with the original weather-cock devices, the name can simply be thought of as a way to indicate a person’s interest in the weather, as a way to predict the future or to designate the family’s connection to a trade related to the weather. Either way, the name Wetterhahn is an interesting one that can indicate the person’s appreciation of the sky and weather.
Order DNA origin analysisWetterhahn: Where does the name Wetterhahn come from?
The last name Wetterhahn is not particularly common today. It is not found in the top 1000 surnames in the United States according to the 2020 US census. Wetterhahn is a variant of the German or Swiss surname Wetterhahnen, which means "weather cock", or rooster for the weather vane, often found on top of churches. The surname originated in the small towns of Germany and Switzerland, where family names of these types developed centuries ago when people began to distinguish between families of similar given names. There are Wetterhahn's found in the U.S., scattered across the land, with the largest concentrations in Wisconsin and Illinois. The highest concentration outside of the US is in Germany. Today, Wetterhahn is a very uncommon surname, but the many spelling variations could lead to confusion if one isn't certain of their original spelling. The Wetterhahn family is one of the oldest in German speaking countries, and so despite its rarity today, can be traced back to a long, proud, and successful past.
Variations of the surname Wetterhahn
Wetterhahn ist a German surname that can be spelled in a variety of ways. Variants of Wetterhahn include Vetterhahn, Wettarhahn, Vetterhagen, Wettarhagen, Wetterhagen, Vetterhan, Wettarhan, Wetterhan, Vettermann, Wettarmann, Wettermann, and Vetterhahnen.
Surnames of the same origin as Wetterhahn include Wetter, Wettar, Vetter, Vetters, Vanderhahn, Vonderhahn, Vandenhaan, Von Derhahn, Vonderhaan, Vandenhan, Vonderhan, and Vandenhahn.
The surname Wetterhahn is derived from the German word, Wetterhahn, which means 'weathercock.' Weathercocks were placed atop church steeples and other buildings to indicate the direction of the wind. The surname Wetterhahn is likely derived from an ancestor who lived near or worked in a church associated with a weathercock. Many German immigrants who adopted the surname Wetterhahn likely chose it to commemorate their ancestors’ craft.
Despite its varying spellings, the surname Wetterhahn is ultimately of German origin. Its various spellings likely developed as a result of the differing pronunciations and dialects in the regions its bearers migrated to. It will likely continue to evolve over time as new variations are proposed and adopted by descendants.
Famous people with the name Wetterhahn
- Laurel Wetterhahn: an American professor of art history.
- Barbara Wetterhahn: an American chef and cookbook author.
- Earl Wetterhahn: a former American football player.
- Jim Wetterhahn: a former American professional baseball pitcher.
- Jonny Wetterhahn: a former American professional figurative painter.
- Christine Wetterhahn: a German-born American chemist.
- Brent Wetterhahn: an American geologist.
- Ellie Wetterhahn: a former American actress.
- Daniel Wetterhahn: a German historian and author.
- Joe Wetterhahn: an American former minor league baseball pitcher.