Surname Woltjer - Meaning and Origin

Woltjer: What does the surname Woltjer mean?

The surname Woltjer is of Dutch origin and is derived from the personal name Woldger, which is a short form of a Germanic personal name composed of the elements wald meaning “rule” and ger meaning “spear”. It is likely to have first been borne by a nobleman from one of the many Germanic tribes who came to settle in The Netherlands during the Middle Ages.

The Woltjer family were originally concentrated in the region of North and Overijssel, two of the twelve provinces in The Netherlands. Today, the name is found all over the country.

The surname Woltjer has been in use since at least the fifteenth century when its first recorded bearer was Claes Woldgers who was originally from Zwolle, Overijssel and was an eyewitness to a legal document in 1445.

The name Woltjer is a patronymic, meaning that it is derived directly from the personal name of the original bearer's father or paternal ancestor. It is most commonly found as a surname today, although it can be used as a given name in certain cases.

The Woltjer name is not overly common today, but it has been in use for centuries and is part of the rich tapestry of Dutch surnames that reflect the heritage and diversity of the country.

Woltjer: Where does the name Woltjer come from?

The last name Woltjer is a Dutch surname originating from the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. While the exact meaning of the name is unclear, some have suggested it may derive from the Dutch words 'van wol en teer' meaning 'from wool and tar'. Today, the last name Woltjer is found predominantly in the Netherlands, as well as in some of the Friesland immigrant populations in Canada, particularly Manitoba and Alberta, and the United States.

In the Netherlands the last name Woltjer is found throughout, but is more common in the Friesland region where it is still relatively concentrated in smaller towns and villages. In Canada, the last name Woltjer has spread more evenly throughout the country. Manitoba, where a large Friesland population settled in the late 19th Century, contains the largest population, with Alberta following in population terms.

In the United States, Woltjer is found chiefly in the Midwest states, where a Friesland migrant population was established in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. As of the 2010 US Census, the highest concentration of inhabitants bearing the surname Woltjer was found in Minnesota, followed by Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska.

Overall, the last name Woltjer continues to be highly concentrated in the Netherlands, particularly in Friesland, as well as in those countries to which the original migrant population has resettled, mostly the United States and Canada.

Variations of the surname Woltjer

The surname Woltjer is of Dutch origin and has several variants, spellings and surnames related to it.

Variants

The most common variants of Woltjer are Woltjers and Woltz.

Spellings

Woltjer can also be spelt in various ways such as: Woulter, Woltjers, Woutjer, Woltz, Woultjers, Voultjer, Woultzer and Wouters.

Surnames of the same origin

Surnames of the same origin as Woltjer include: Wouters, Woutersen, Van Wouters, Van Woutersen, Van Woutering and Wouteer.

All of these surname variations are derived from the Dutch word “wolter” which means “a person who skillfully manages his or her affairs with tact and diplomacy”. It is likely that the people with this surname were convenience shop owners or barkeeps who were experts in the field of diplomacy.

The surname has been known to exist in the Netherlands and Belgium for centuries, with many now living in the United States, Canada and Australia. It should be noted that there may be some other variations of this surname that are less common or regional. In conclusion, the surname Woltjer and its variations, spellings and surnames of the same origin are all of Dutch origin, and can be found in several countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Woltjer

• Rein Woltjer: Dutch mathematician and philosopher. He is best known for his contributions to the fields of algebraic topology and logic, as well as for his philosophical work on the philosophy of mathematics.
• Peter K. Woltjer: Dutch-American astrophysicist who made important contributions in the fields of high-energy astrophysics and space physics.
• Jan Woltjer: Dutch politician who served as a Member of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2006.
• Jelle Woltjer: Dutch physicist who held various academic positions in the Netherlands, specializing in the fields of quantum electrodynamics and particle astrophysics.
• Cora Woltjer: Dutch Astrophysicist and author. She is the author of the book The Creation of the Universe and its Evolution.
• Hans Woltjer: Dutch physicist who is best known for his research and publications in the field of atomic structure.
• Taco Woltjer: Dutch Astronomer and Science Communicator. He is known for his work on the relativistic effects in astrophysics.
• Joke Woltjer: Dutch molecular biologist and geneticist. She served as the Director of the Netherlands Institute for Molecular Biology from 1995 to 2002.
• Frido Woltjer: Dutch entrepreneur and plant biologist, best known for his work in developing sustainable farming methods.

Other surnames

WoltjeWöltjeWoltjenWöltjenWoltjes