Surname Welhausen - Meaning and Origin
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Welhausen: What does the surname Welhausen mean?
The surname Welhausen is a German surname with many different spellings that can originate from a variety of places throughout Europe. Its original spelling is Wohlhausen, which can be translated as “walled-in house” from the German words “wohlen” (to enclose) and “haus” (house). This suggests that the original meaning of the name was derived fromplace of dwelling, referring to those who would have occupied an area surrounded by a wall. It is likely that the name originated as a sign of status in a particular region in order to differentiate families with a fortified home from those who did not have one.
Over time, the name underwent various alterations such as changing to “Welhausen” or “Welhusen”, as the “wohlen” part of the original name became confused with the German word for “well” (wel). This likely resulted in the name being misunderstood and, as a result, changed slightly.
Today, the surname Welhausen is still quite common throughout Germany, demonstrating a propensity for its continued use throughout the centuries. While its meaning may have changed, the original symbolism behind the name remains tied to its roots.
Order DNA origin analysisWelhausen: Where does the name Welhausen come from?
The last name Welhausen is most likely of German origin and is common today throughout Germany and parts of the United States. In Germany, especially in the southwest of the country and in some parts of Bavaria, the name Welhausen is quite common. In the U.S., the Welhausen surname is primarily found in the northern Midwest, especially in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana—all states with large German-American populations. This could indicate that the surname was carried to America by German-American immigrants from southwestern Germany.
Research would suggest that the surname would have its roots in the name Wellhausen which itself is derived from the Middle High German ‘wellenhausen’ - literally meaning “house in the meadow”.
Today, the “Wellhausen” spelling is more common in Germany while the “Welhausen” spelling is more common in the U.S. Additionally, the Welhausen name is recorded as Welhouse, Welhusen, and Wellhousen in America, though Welhausen is the predominant spelling. However, it is unclear whether or not these different spellings are variants of the same surname.
The Welhausen name has stood the test of time and is still around today. While it may only be common in certain pockets, both in Germany and in the U.S., it is nevertheless well represented in both countries.
Variations of the surname Welhausen
The surname Welhausen is rare and can be found mainly in Germany. The variants of this surname include Walhausen, Welhousen, Welhausein, Walhousen, and Welhous. These variants are all phonetically the same and likely derived from a German dialect or language spoken in the region. Walhausen is the most common variant, followed by Welhousen.
When traceable, the origin of the surname Welhausen can be traced back to the German city of Harle, near the city of Cologne. The city of Harle was an important trading settlement during the Middle Ages. It was also the site of a castle, where members of the Welhausen family were likely to live in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Surnames derived from the Welhausen family name include Walhauselt, Selfhauselt, Welhausin, Welfhauselt, and Welfhausin. These surnames likely originated in Germany’s Rhineland area, an area rife with German speaking communities, during the medieval period.
Today, the Welhausen surname is still found in Germany, but is also present in countries such as Canada, the United States, and Australia. There is also a sizeable population of individuals bearing this name in South America, particularly in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Regardless of the variant, the surname Welhausen originated in 13th century Germany, and is still in use today.
Famous people with the name Welhausen
- Dave Welchausen: former Major League Baseball player who played with the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners.
- Tim Welhausen: former professional tennis player best known for his appearances at the US Open.
- Mark Welhausen: former American professional wrestler who competed in the World Wrestling Federation.
- John Welhausen: American football player who played in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons.
- David Welhausen: American composer, author and conductor who has performed and premiered works in many of the world's professional orchestras.
- Cal Welhausen: retired professional ice hockey player who played for the Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks.
- Cory Welhausen: artist and filmmaker who creates photo-based works inspired by the abstract landscapes of the American Midwest.
- Sarah Welhausen: contemporary American painter known for her exploration of color and motion.
- Jack Welhausen: contemporary American theater director and playwright.
- Germany Welhausen: former Dutch sprint canoer who won silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics.