Surname Willershausen - Meaning and Origin
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Willershausen: What does the surname Willershausen mean?
The last name Willershausen is a locational surname that identifies a family who originally come from the village of Willershausen in southern Germany. This village was first documented in the year 1286 and is now a suburb of the city of Hefersweiler. The term ‘Willershausen’ is derived from the Old High German words ‘Willir’ – which translates to ‘willow’ – and ‘haus’ – signifying a house or homestead. Records suggest that the first families of the name were established in the private estate of Hartenstein in the 16th century, which is situated in the region of Saarland, in Saxony.
The name later spread across the continents, including to the United States, as a result of emigration. It is very possible that the original settlers of the name were drawn to the area due to the vast stretches of meadows and pastures the region offered at the time, as these were ideal for agriculture and livestock raising.
Till today, the original spelling of the surname has been retained, as well as its meaning, suggesting the strong sense of heritage and family pride, which continues throughout generations.
Order DNA origin analysisWillershausen: Where does the name Willershausen come from?
Willershausen is a German surname, and as such it is most commonly found in Germany today. It is also found in other Germanic countries, particularly in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Outside of Europe, many descendants of German immigrants to other parts of the world now carry this surname, notably in the United States, Canada, and South America.
In terms of geographical distribution, the highest concentrations of people who bear this name are found in the northern states of Germany, particularly in Lower Saxony, Thuringia, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In the German-speaking region of Switzerland, Willershausen is common in the cantons of Valais and Bern. The Netherlands also has pockets of Willershausens, particularly in the southern part of the country.
In parts of the United States, notably in Pennsylvania, Willershausen is increasingly seen due to German immigration that took place in the 1800s. The same is true of Canada, where people bearing this name are found mostly in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
It is also possible to find Willershausens whose ancestors emigrated from Europe to South America, especially to countries like Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, and Chile.
In conclusion, the surname Willershausen is most commonly found in the German-speaking areas of Europe today, but has spread all over the world due to migration and emigration over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Willershausen
The surname Willershausen is a variant of Willershäuser which is of German origin. This surname is also spelt as Wilershausen, Welershäuser and Wellershausen, or as Wilershäuser, Welershausen, Wellershäuser. It is a patronymic name which originally belonged to the descendants of the Willer family from Willershausen.
The Willer family name is thought to originate from the Old Germanic words ‘wil’ (will) and ‘heri’ (army) with the suffix ‘hausen’ (house). This suggests that the original bearer of the name may have had a connection with the military or was a prominent member of the community.
There are also several variants of the name including Weilerhausen and Wallerhausen. The latter form is believed to be derived from Serbian or Croatian in origin, with the root ‘wal’ (wall).
Variants of the Willershausen surname are found in many countries around the world, including Germany, the United States, Austria, Canada and the United Kingdom. Through migration, the variants have changed to Wilershausen and Welershäuser in some regions.
Common surnames that are derived from the Willershausen origin are Willers, Weller, Wilers, Wiler, Weler, Welser and Walle.
In conclusion, the Willershausen surname can be seen in a variety of forms, including Wilershausen, Welershäuser, Wellershausen, Willers, Weller, Wilers, Wiler, Weler, Welser and Walle. These have altered over time due to migration and can be found in many countries around the world.
Famous people with the name Willershausen
- Theodor Willershausen (1835–1908), German theologian, professor, and author
- Franz von Willershausen (1853–1908), German photographer
- Christian Willershausen (1867–1943), German painter
- Bernhard Willershausen (1886–1944), German sculptor
- Eric Willershausen (1927–2012), German biologist and professor
- Erika Willershausen (born 1959), German television actress
- Bodo Willershausen (born 1972), German musician
- Isabell Willershausen (born 1977), German swimmer
- Johannes Willershausen (born 1986), German footballer
- Robin Willershausen (born 1988), German ice hockey player