Surname Wilhour - Meaning and Origin
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Wilhour: What does the surname Wilhour mean?
The last name Wilhour is of German origin and is believed to have derived from the personal name Wilhelm. The literal translation of Wilhour is “William’s hour” and it is thought to have originally been used as a nickname for a person who was born at or during the hour of William.
Considering the popularity of the name, it is also thought that it could be an honorary surname. For example, one might be given the name Wilhour to commemorate a deceased family member or close friend. Regardless of the source of its origin, the Wilhour name is still quite popular today in some areas of Germany.
The Wilhour name has also been found in some other European countries, a few North American countries, and in Australia. As a result, the last name could have been spread through immigration to these countries, which is often the case for many German surnames.
Overall, the last name Wilhour is a strong German name that has been around for centuries. It has an interesting history and is a great reminder of the legacy we’ve inherited from our ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisWilhour: Where does the name Wilhour come from?
The Wilhour surname is mostly found in the United States and Germany today. In the United States the last name Wilhour is concentrated in the midwestern states of Ohio and Indiana. This is likely due to the settlement patterns of certain European ethnic groups such as German and Swiss immigrants who arrived in the United States in the late 1700s and early 1800s. In Germany, Wilhour is most often found in the south, concentrated in the states of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria. Primarily, these ethnic German groups descended from the Palatine Germans, who immigrated in waves from the late 17th century through the 19th century. Many of these immigrants had already taken on the Wilhour surname, perhaps having altered it slightly from the original spelling, and many others assumed the name upon reaching the United States as a way of distinguishing themselves from other German immigrants. The name Wilhour is also found in other countries in Europe, such as Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and the Czech Republic.
Today, the Wilhours who still bear that name are a proud family, with many branches of the family still in touch scattered across the world. The Wilhour name continues to be passed down through the generations as a reminder of its immigrants' proud heritage.
Variations of the surname Wilhour
The last name Wilhour is derived from the Germanic given name Wiel(e)hoor, which is a combination of two elements: wiel and hoor. The first element, wiel, is derived from the German word 'willa' which means 'will/desire'. The second element, hoor, is derived from the German word 'hor', which means 'chorus/band'.
The variants of the surname Wilhour are Wilhauer, Wilhawer, Wilhower, Wilhow, Wilmauer, Wilmawer, Wilmhower, Wilmhow, Wilauer, Wilawer, Wilhewer, Wilheuer, Wilhauer, Wilhauer, Wilmaurer, Wilmaurer, Wilmawer, Wilhor, Wilhauer, Wilehuhr, Wileuer, Wilewer and Wilhour.
Alternative spellings of Wilhour include Wilheor, Wilheur, Wileor, Wileur, Wilhoor, Wiluhor, Wilehor and Wilehur.
Surnames of similar origin to Wilhour are Wilbur, Willburger, Wilhoit, Wilker, Wilkey, Wilkie, Wilkin, Wilkins, Wilkinson, Wilkerson, and Willet.
Famous people with the name Wilhour
- Chad Wilhour: American politician and former member of the Illinois House of Representatives.
- David Wilhour: American country musician, songwriter and vocalist.
- Adam Wilhour: American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Oklahoma.
- Stephen Wilhour: Pulitzer Prize-winning American music composer.
- Jesse Wilhour: American entertainer and filmmaker.
- Benjamin Wilhour: American academic and professor of mathematics at Illinois State University.
- Richard Wilhour: American actor best known for his role as Buck Wheeler in the comedy TV series Changed by Fate.
- Brandy Wilhour: American artist and author.
- Aaron Wilhour: American actor, voice actor and comedian.
- Karen Wilhour: American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
- Zachery Wilhour: Professional football player in the National Football League.
- William Wilhour: American politician who served as a United States Representative from Illinois.