Surname Wiewelhove - Meaning and Origin

Wiewelhove: What does the surname Wiewelhove mean?

The last name Wiewelhove is of Dutch origin and is derived from the word "Willem". This translates to "The Protection or Guardian of the People". The name likely stems from a time where the father or patriarch of a household was responsible for the protection and safekeeping of their family, and was likely used to signify strength and loyalty to one another.

The name has variations throughout Europe, such as Wilhemina in the Netherlands, Wilhem in Germany, weilm in Poland, Wilmaco in Latin America, and Willems in France. The significance of this last name is embedded in the history of Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, when strong family ties were of utmost importance.

The individual who bore this last name would have likely been the one to step up to protect their family from danger and hardship. These individuals were courageous, strong, and committed to the safety and wellbeing of their family and community. It is no wonder this last name continues to be featured throughout Dutch-speaking nations, as it signifies the enduring legacy of resilience and dependability.

Wiewelhove: Where does the name Wiewelhove come from?

The surname Wiewelhove is most commonly found in a small region of Germany known as the Lower Saxon Uplands. The area is located in northwest Germany and includes the districts of Vechta, Cloppenburg, Oldenburg, Osterholz, Diepholz, and Wesermarsch.

Tracing its origins to the medieval period, the name is derived from a combination of two words. The first is a nickname for a person who was a hospitable and lively host, while the second is a place-name for the village of Velhove near Meppen.

In the 21st century, the surname is still quite common in the region of Lower Saxon Uplands, especially around the cities of Oldenburg and Vechta, as well as the districts of Cloppenburg and Diepholz. In addition, there are a number of Wiewelhove emigrants who have left Germany over the years and are now living in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

All in all, the last name Wiewelhove is most prominent in the Lower Saxon Uplands region of northwest Germany, particularly around the cities of Oldenburg and Vechta. It is also common among Germans who have sought a new home abroad.

Variations of the surname Wiewelhove

Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wiewelhove encompass spellings such as Wiewelhof, Wiwelhove, Wiewelho, and Wiwelhof. Variants and related surnames include Van Wewelhove, Van Wiewelhove, Veen Wiewelhove, Wesselhove, Wesselhov, Wesselhoven, Wesselhoff, Wezelhof, Wezelhoven, Wezelhof, Wesselhauf, Wesselhaufe, and Wesselhoven, among others. Many of the variants come from the Dutch language, which was the language of origin for the name. In Dutch, the name Wiewelhove usually translates to “the courtyard, the farm, near the river” or “residence on the island near a river”.

The meaning of the name is strongly connected to its Germanic origins. In old German language, the word ‘Wiewel’ meant “farm” or “court” and ‘hove’ meant “river” or “island near a river”. Therefore, the combined name Wiewelhove literally “means of a farm or courtyard near a river or on an island near a river”.

The surname was most likely derived from a specific place or region with these geographic features. Therefore, many of the variants of the name can be found in areas connected to the Netherlands, including Germany, Belgium, and the United States. This prevalence of the name outside the Netherlands, however, has been attributed to the Dutch immigration to those countries starting in the 17th century.

Finally, the Dutch name Wiewelhove has been historically used as both a first name and a surname. In some cases, it is used as an anglicized version of the original Dutch spelling, and some people even choose to combine the two forms as a double-barrelled name.

Famous people with the name Wiewelhove

• Martin Wiewelhove: German football coach and former player
• Lieselotte Wiewelhove: German politician
• Paul J. Wiewelhove: German doctor and researcher
• Christian Wiewelhove: German former professional footballer
• Dieter Wiewelhove: German former professional footballer
• Bruno Wiewelhove: German football coach and former professional footballer
• Maria Wiewelhove: German competitor in track and field
• Alexander Wiewelhove: German former professional footballer
• Robert Wiewelhove: Dutch painter and sculptor
• Jörg Wiewelhove: German former professional footballer

Other surnames

Wiewelhofe