Surname Wöltje - Meaning and Origin
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Wöltje: What does the surname Wöltje mean?
The last name Wöltje is of German origin, and it likely has two distinct roots. The most commonly held theory is that it is a combination of two very common German words: “wolke” meaning “cloud” and "Gärtner" meaning “gardener.” This would indicate that the original bearer of the surname likely worked as a gardener and his descendants carried on the name.
The other potential origin of the name is from the High German word “walt,” which means “rule.” This would indicate that the progenitor of this particular family was a ruler or leader of some kind, and that their descendants adopted the name as a sign of their status and authority.
The name has been found to be fairly common throughout various regions of Germany, and has been mentioned in some early church records dating back to the 16th century. It is unclear when the name spread to other parts of Europe, and is currently found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
No matter which of these two potential origins is true, the name Wöltje certainly has a rich and complex history. It symbolizes the hardworking and ambitious nature of pre-industrial German society — a trait that has been passed down through successive generations of the Wöltje family.
Order DNA origin analysisWöltje: Where does the name Wöltje come from?
The last name Wöltje is common throughout much of Europe today. It is particularly popular in Germany, where, according to a 2019 analysis, it was the 158th most common surname, with an estimated 2,480 bearers.
In the Netherlands, it was the 239th most common surname, with an estimated 1,046 bearers. It is particularly popular in North Holland, Overijssel, and Drenthe Provinces, although it can be found throughout the Netherlands.
The surname can also be found in parts of Scandinavia, particularly Sweden, where it is the 787th most common surname, with an estimated 285 bearers. Families with this surname can also be found in Denmark (covering an estimated 196 people) and Norway (~69 people).
Outside of Europe, families with this surname can be found in North America (the U.S. and Canada) and Australia. There is also presence of this surname in the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and South Africa.
Overall, the surname Wöltje is most commonly found in Northern Europe, but is also present in North America, Australia, the UAE, Indonesia, and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Wöltje
The surname Wöltje is an occupational name for someone who was a weaver or one who worked with wool. It is derived from the German word ‘wolte’ and is a combination of wo, meaning ‘wool’, and lte, which means ‘worker’.
The forms of the surname Wöltje include Wolte, Welt, Welti, Weltz, Weltke, Wälte, Weltje, Wolt or Woltz. Variations of the spelling exist in other countries as well, such as Valty, Wollte, Vollki, Wolty or Weltz. In the United States, the surname is sometimes spelled as Voltz, Volltz, Volt(e), or Wolter.
The surnames Wolf, Woelfle, Weiver, Woolf, Wahl, Walt, Woller, Wortz, and Welter all derive from the same origin as Wöltje and are believed to be alternate forms of the name.
Other variants of the surname are commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. These include Wollt, Wolt, Wolte, Volltz, Woltz, Wollti, Woelt, Welty, Wolfle, Wolfte, Wollty, Weltz, and Vollke.
A variation of the surname, Wölte, is a common name in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in the Netherlands and Denmark and has been adopted in Scandinavia as well.
In the United States, the surname is more commonly found as Voltz, Wolter, Volltz, or Volt(e). It is also occasionally spelled as Valty, Wollte, Wolty, or Weltz. However, its original variants include Wöltje, Wolte, Welt, Welti, Weltz, Weltke, Wälte, Wolt or Woltz.
Famous people with the name Wöltje
- Michael Wöltje: German former footballer, who last played for Holstein Kiel as a midfielder.
- Johannes Wöltje: German former footballer, who last played for Ligatwinners SpVgg Fürth in 2006.
- Henning Wöltje: German financial journalist and editor-in-chief for the German financial news publication, Faz.net.
- Daniel Wöltje: German former professional ice hockey player, who was an all-star in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga from 1996-2003.
- Heinrich Wöltje: German equestrian, and medalist at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
- Robert Wöltje: German former footballer, playing in the 1950's and 60's for local clubs in Germany, such as Müngersdorfer FC and Offenbacher FC Kickers.
- Bernd Wöltje: German former footballer, and teammate of Heinrich Wöltje's on the German national soccer team.
- Andreas Wöltje: German actor, best known for his roles in the television series Unter uns.
- Heinz Wöltje: German former professional ice hockey player, best remembered for his time with Eintracht Frankfurt during the late 1960's.
- Bernhard Wöltje: German former football player, who last played for Fernsehlotse Berlin in the 1970's.
- Karl-Heinz Wöltje: German former racing driver, and competitor in the 1981 European Touring Car Championship.
- Asmus Wöltje: German former policeman and anti-corruption campaigner, who served as the state premier of Lower Saxony from 2007-2009.