Surname Wilhausen - Meaning and Origin

Wilhausen: What does the surname Wilhausen mean?

The last name Wilhausen is of German origin and a variant form of Wilhelmsen which is a common name there. The name comes from the Germanic elements wil, meaning “will” or “desire”, and helm, meaning “helmet”. Combined, these elements give us “will/desire helmet”. Therefore, the surname is likely to have originated from the occupation of being a helmet maker or soldier.

The first recorded instances of Wilhausen as a family/surname date back to the late 1200s, when documents show the name spelled in a variety of ways, such as Wilhelmsin, Wilhelmsen, and Wilhalesen. Some of the earliest records of the name come from documents regarding the tithes paid by families in Weimar during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.

People with the last name Wilhausen can be found across German-speaking countries, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in the non-German speaking country of Finland. Additionally, people with the surname Wilhausen have emigrated to other countries, such as the United States, bringing the surname to Australia, England, Canada, and even Brazil.

The name Wilhausen has survived to the present day, having seen some changes in spelling, however, it is still a widely recognized German surname.

Wilhausen: Where does the name Wilhausen come from?

The last name Wilhausen is most commonly found in Germany, with the vast majority of those bearing the name residing in the state of Lower Saxony. In the most recent census, it was estimated that over a thousand people in the area had the last name Wilhausen. Additionally, there is a small population of Wilhausens that can be found in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Austria. The popularity of the name in Germany can be traced back centuries, with Wilhausen families being noted in old records starting in the late 1700s.

The origin of the name is also closely tied to Germany, with "hausen" being a common German prefix that indicates a location. For example, the last name Hamburg is derived from the city of Hamburg, and Wilhausen was likely an indication of Wil (William). As such, when tracing the name’s origin, it ultimately originates from a combination of Germanic and Old English languages.

Today, Wilhausen is still a relatively common name in Germany, as well as other parts of central Europe. Families might find that they have relatives in other countries as well, as many Wilhausens have emigrated to areas outside of Europe, such as the United States and Canada, over the past few centuries.

Variations of the surname Wilhausen

The surname Wilhausen has many variations in spelling, as well as multiple related surnames. These include Wilhousen, Willhousen, Wilhaußen, Willhausen, Wilhanssen, Wilhaussen, Wilhaza, Wilhast, Willhuis, Willhaus, Willhausen, Wilhasmus, Wilhaas, Willhüser, Wilheusen, Wilhösen, Wilhouser, Wilhous, Wilhouwer, Wilhues, Wilhausmann, Wilhausma, Wilhausmann, Wilhouss, Wilhouser, Wiltouse, Wilhausse, Willhausmann, Wilheuss, Wilheuser, Wilhom, and Wilfers.

These all derive from the same German root, dating from at least the 12th century. At the time, the name was derived from the words “wil” (will) and “hauzen” (house). Over time, the name has become associated with a variety of occupations and trades involving homes and houses, such as carpentry and masonry.

The popularity of the surname increased throughout the 17th and 18th centuries as more people adopted it. Since then, the variants have spread across several countries, making it one of the most widely used surnames in Europe.

In the United States, detailed records of the surname’s origin can be traced back to the early 19th century. By the beginning of the 20th century, the Wilhausesen variant was the most common spelling in America. Today, the name continues to be used around the world, though the spelling and related surnames still vary from region to region.

Famous people with the name Wilhausen

• Mary Wilhausen: Anchor for KY3 television in Springfield.
• Keith Wilhausen: American baseball player for the Kansas City Royals.
• Jan Wilhausen: Dutch actress that starred in films like The Dressmaker and All You Can Eat.
• Trent Wilhausen: Professional American football player for the Chicago Bears.
• Ryan Wilhausen: American soccer player that played for the Colorado Rapids.
• Rick Wilhausen: Former executive director of the Austin, TX Chamber of Commerce.
• Monty Wilhausen: PGA professional golfer.
• Lisa Wilhausen: Singer-songwriter and leader of the Nerd Rock Band "The Spazmatics".
• Roman Wilhausen: German actor and television presenter.
• Peter Wilhausen: Swiss Olympic rower.

Other surnames

WilhausWilhause