Surname Wöltzen - Meaning and Origin
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Wöltzen: What does the surname Wöltzen mean?
The surname Wöltzen is of German origin and can be traced back to the medieval German word ‘wölte,’ which means ‘wild boar’. This surname likely originated in Germany during the medieval age as a nickname for a wild or aggressive person. It is likely that people with this surname had a reputation for being wild or unruly during this period of history.
Throughout history, the surname Wöltzen can be found in various regions of North and Central Europe, especially around Germany and Austria. It has gained popularity over the centuries and there are currently several large Wöltzen family branches scattered throughout Europe.
The surname Wöltzen is often associated with its charming Coat of Arms, depicting two black wild boars facing off against each other on a gold background. This Coat of Arms is a traditional symbol of strength and protection, and also symbolises the family’s proud German heritage.
Today, the Wöltzen surname is still held in high regard amongst its many bearers who are proud to carry on the family’s traditions and history. It is likely to stay popular throughout Europe for many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisWöltzen: Where does the name Wöltzen come from?
The surname Wöltzen is most commonly found in Germany. Historically, it was used both as a first and a last name. Wöltzen is derived from the German element "Wölte", meaning "Plot of Untilable Land".
The name became most commonly used in Germany in the 17th century and it is estimated that there are more than 10,000 individuals with the surname Wöltzen in Germany today. There are also many individuals with the surname located in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, and the United States.
In Germany, the majority of individuals with the last name Wöltzen live in the northern German states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein and the eastern German states of Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony.
In the United States, the surname Wöltzen is particularly common in Pennsylvania, which has the highest percentage of individuals with the name. Other states where the surname is prominent include Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, California, and Florida.
Individuals with the surname Wöltzen can also be found in parts of Canada and across New Zealand.
On the whole, the surname Wöltzen is quite widespread in countries around the world, with many individuals bearing the name in countries throughout Europe and North America.
Variations of the surname Wöltzen
Wöltzen is a German topographic surname derived from the Middle High German word “waltzen”, meaning “to roll or wander”, likely referring to a family who lived on a hill. There are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including Waltzen, Walten, Woltzen, and Woltz.
The Waltzen variant is found predominately in southwestern Germany, and is also found in North America, having been brought by immigrants from Germany. It is also sometimes spelled as Walzen or Walten.
The Woltzen version of the surname is found mainly in the northern German states and is often spelled with two T’s, making it “Woltzten”. This version of the surname has also been found in South Africa, Australia, and Canada, which suggests these families were among the German immigrants to these countries in the mid- to late 19th century.
The surnames Wölter, Wölters, Wöltner, and Wöltners are related to the Wöltzen surname, as they all derive from the same root word, “waltzen”. These surnames are spread out through all parts of Germany, including Bavaria, Thuringia, and Saxony.
The surnames Weltz, Welte, and Welde may be related to the same root word as Wöltzen, though this relationship is more tenuous. These surnames may have derived from a similar root word, “welfen,” which means “to wave.” This could be a reference to a person living by a meandering river or stream, as the waves of the water would have “waved” by them.
Lastly, the surnames Wölten, Wölte and Wöltenau are all found mainly in northern Germany and are possibly related to the Wöltzen surname. All of these surnames likely derived from the root word “waltzen”, which means “to wander or roll.” Given their location, it is likely that these families originated from the same region, and may even have been related.
Famous people with the name Wöltzen
- Hermann Wöltzen (1853–1915): German landscape and animal painter
- Max Wöltzen (1882–1949): German actor
- Heinz Wöltzen (1902–1944): German Wehrmacht first lieutenant and recipient of the Knight's Cross
- Johannes Wöltzen (1921–2005): German artist
- Tom Wöltzen (born 1943): German actor and theater director
- Peter Wöltzen (born 1945): German actor and theater director
- Christian Wöltzen (born 1949): German jazz double-bassist
- Reinhard Wöltzen (born 1954): German rower
- Maria-Elisabeth Wöltzen (born 1958): German actress
- Kay von Wöltzen (born 1974): German photographer