Surname Wouters - Meaning and Origin

Wouters: What does the surname Wouters mean?

The Dutch surname Wouters is derived from the personal name Walter, which is of Germanic origin and is derived from words meaning “ruler of the army” or “commander of the host”. During the Middle Ages, the popularity of this name spread across Germany and then to the rest of Europe which resulted in variations of the name forming such as Wouters or Wouterse. The name eventually made its way to the United States of America during the 19th century, along with other Dutch surnames.

Today, Wouters is usually found as a surname in Holland and Belgium, as well as in some areas with high Dutch-American populations such as Pennsylvania and New York. It is estimated that there are currently more than 30,000 people worldwide who bear this surname.

The Wouters family are known for their hardworking, industrious character with an aptitude for business and a drive to succeed. They are also known to be generous and inclusive, with a strong emphasis on tradition and family.

The Wouters family values are an emblem for this strong Dutch surname, and those bearing it are proud to be members of such an iconic family.

Wouters: Where does the name Wouters come from?

The last name Wouters is currently most common in Belgium, particularly in the Flemish-speaking area of the country. It is also present in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States.

In Belgium, the Wouters surname is most common in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking area of the country. According to the Belgian National Institute for Statistics, the last name Wouters ranks 54th most common in Flanders. Most Wouters in Belgium live in the Dutch-speaking provinces of East Flanders and Antwerp.

Outside of Belgium, the last name Wouters is also common in the Netherlands, particularly in the South Holland province. In the Netherlands, the surname is ranked as the 548th most common name.

In the US, the Wouters surname is less common, ranking as the 26,795th most common name. However, there are still thousands of Americans with Wouters as their last name. The biggest population of American Wouters is to be found in California, followed by New York, Michigan, and Illinois.

Overall, the last name Wouters is currently most common in Belgium but can also be found today in many other countries, such as the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States.

Variations of the surname Wouters

The surname Wouters is of Dutch origin and is believed to derive from the Germanic given name Wouter. Variations on this surname include Wauters, Wauters, Wautier, Watters and Wattier.

In parts of Europe where Dutch is an official language, such as Belgium, this surname is written using the Dutch spelling, which is Wouters. Spellings that vary from this version are typically alternate spellings of Wouters and include Woeters, Oueters, Owters and Uuders.

Surnames that are of the same origin as Wouters often have a connection to the Dutch language. Generally, these surnames will be common in regions or countries where the Dutch language is prominent or a version of it is spoken. A few common surnames that are of the same origin as Wouters are Waurick, Wijers, Weerd and Weche.

In American or British societies, where Dutch is not a commonly spoken language, the Wouters surname has often been changed to reflect the storied past of the original immigrants who had the surname. Anglicized versions of the name may include Waters, Wattley, Watson, and Watling.

Overall, there are many variations of this surname that reflect the rich history and culture of the Dutch language and their influence in parts of the world where Dutch is spoken. The most common names related to the surname Wouters include Wauters, Waurick, Watters, Weche, Wijers and Wattley.

Famous people with the name Wouters

• Sonja Wouters: A Belgian singer and TV-presenter
• Domien Wouters: A Belgian TV presenter
• Bart Wouters: A Belgian jazz saxophonist and producer
• Victor Wouters: A Belgian actor
• George Lesage Wouters: A Belgian architect
• Louis Wouters: A Belgian painter known for landscapes, portraits, and still life
• Albert Wouters: A Belgian former road cyclist
• Ingrid Wouters: A Belgian model and presenter
• Andris Wouters: A Belgian professional road cyclist
• Stephanie Wouters: A Belgian field hockey player
• Geert Wouters: A Belgian iconographer
• Jan Wouters: A Belgian professor of international law
• Annelies Wouters: A Belgian journalist and photographer
• Jef Wouters: A Belgian satirical writer, comics artist and radio host
• Trond Wouters: A Norwegian sports administrator
• David Wouters: A Belgian theatre actor
• Matthijs Wouters: A Dutch professional footballer
• Luc Wouters: A Belgian professor of financial economics at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel
• Wendy Wouters: A Belgian blogger and Instagram influencer
• Femke Wouters: A Belgian painter, street artist, social activist and sculptor

Other surnames

WouterWouterse