Surname Willhausen - Meaning and Origin
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Willhausen: What does the surname Willhausen mean?
The last name Willhausen is a Germanic surname that originated in the region of Bavaria. It is a locational surname that was derived from the place where the original bearer of the surname had lived; a place that was known as "Vilhusen", which literally translates to "willow house". The surname could also be seen as a derivation of the Old German term 'wilulohus', which refers to a dwelling on a hill.
Today, the Willhausen surname is most commonly found in parts of Germany, but there is still a tiny minority of people who are scattered in areas all around the world. In particular, there are people living in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and Brazil.
The meaning of the surname itself is not necessarily clear, though it is possible that the name could have once suggested a person who lived near a willow tree or in a house surrounded by willow trees. The word 'housen' may also be associated with a storage building or a shelter, so it is possible that the surname was originally given to someone who lived near a shelter of some kind.
In general, the Willhausen surname is thought to have derived from the old Germanic language of the same spelling. It is an unusual surname, though, and one that is not especially common in modern times.
Order DNA origin analysisWillhausen: Where does the name Willhausen come from?
The last name Willhausen is most commonly found in Germany. According to a recent post by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Willhausen, also known as Willhösen or Willhöußen, is a surname of German origin.
Willhausen families were originally from small towns in western Germany, such as Berkum, Frenkhausen, and Norden in Northrhine-Westphalia. Today, Willhausen families still live in the same area. The surname is most heavily concentrated in the states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia, located in the northwest of Germany.
Willhausens are widely spread across Germany, with some families found in other areas such as Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Berlin. Willhausens are also spread across other countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Willhausen is still a relatively rare surname compared to other German surnames. In the German phone book, only 3,213 entries have a Willhausen connection. Only around 800 people in Germany have the surname Willhausen today, showing that the surname has not become much more common since the 1900s.
Willhausen families have maintained their unique identity and continue to live in the same area that their ancestors did centuries ago. The surname is not likely to become much more common in the future, making it all the more special for the families who still bear the name today.
Variations of the surname Willhausen
The surname Willhausen is of German origin, and has several variants, spellings and even other surnames of the same origin.
The standard spelling is Willhausen, but there are several variations including Willhaußen, Wilhauß, Willhauß, Wilhaußen, Wilhausen, Wilhusen and Wilhousen.
The origin of the surname itself can give a clue to possible other surnames of the same origin. It’s likely derived from the Middle High German word “Willhous”, which means “willing house” or “house of the will.” Given this, some other surnames of the same origin could include Willhause, Willhausen, Willhouser, Willhousen and Willershause.
When tracing the surname, it is also important to note its regional variations, since the spelling may have changed based on the dialect of the region. For example, in the Lüneburg region, which includes the city of Lüneburg, the spelling has been known to change to Wilhaus.
Given the variations, spellings and other surnames of the same origin, tracing the Willhausen surname can be difficult. However, with careful research, a clear picture of the history and ancestors associated with the name can be painted.
Famous people with the name Willhausen
- Mark Willhausen: American professional wrestler.
- Denise Willhausen: German pianist.
- Volker Willhausen: German opera director.
- Heinrich Willhausen: German architect and art collector.
- Oliver Willhausen: German composer and conductor.
- Bill Willhausen: American football player.
- Hannes Willhausen: German-American anthropologist and runologist.
- Bernhard Willhausen: German art historian and conservator.
- Carel Willhausen: Dutch composer and conductor.
- Sebastiaan Willhausen: Dutch-American geographer.