Surname Varenholz - Meaning and Origin
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Varenholz: What does the surname Varenholz mean?
The last name Varenholz is an originally German name. The literal translation of the name is “from the woods”, which likely indicates that the family were once hunters who lived and worked in the woods. More recently, it has been suggested that the name could have also developed from another German term, “varenhalt”, which translates as “retaining” or “keeping”. Indicating that the family name could be associated with someone who owned goods, either material or immaterial such as knowledge or concepts, and kept them secure.
The name is a toponymic -- a place name -- and in German it is mainly found in the areas of Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Bavaria, and Schleswig-Holstein. Aside from Germany, Varenholz families also exist in Europe, America and around the world. The United States Census Bureau estimates that in 2018 there were 2,126 people with the Varenholz surname.
The Varenholz family line has a long history and is associated with great pride. Those with the surname are part of a lineage that has endured since the mid-1700s. There is a great sense of communal pride for those with the Varenholz surname and today this pride is symbolised through shared experiences, stories and traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisVarenholz: Where does the name Varenholz come from?
The last name Varenholz is most common in the northern region of Germany, especially near the Dutch border. It is a relatively rare name, but is commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and other parts of Europe. The name may also be seen in other parts of the world as a result of emigration from these areas.
In Germany, records show that Varenholz originated in the Middle Ages and is a habitational name, meaning the people who used it had lived near a tree called var, or a fern called holz. Further research also suggests the name may have been based on physical characteristics, as one variant of the name - Bergman - appears to have been associated with mountain people.
The name is most common in the cities of Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen. In addition, Varenholz is a popular name in the Niedersachsen region, and in the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein, located near Germany's northern coast.
In the Netherlands, records suggest the name was given to individuals from the town of Varenholt in the province of Limburg. The name is also found in Luxembourg, though the municipality of Varenholt, from which the name originated, no longer exists.
In recent years, the name has gone international due to emigration from European countries to other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Varenholz
Varenholz is an uncommon German surname. It is believed to have derived from the Middle High German word ‘Varenholz’, which literally translates to ‘timber of the forest’. Over time, the surname has changed to include a number of variants and spellings, each with a slightly different meaning.
Variants and spellings of the surname Varenholz include: Varanholz, Varrenholz, Varnholz, Varhnolz, Vahrenmholz, Varinholz and Varrenholt. These variants are widely found throughout Germany and Europe, as well as in the USA.
Surnames of the same origin as Varenholz are believed to include Vornholt, Vreedenholtz, Vanderholt, Varnhagen, Varnholz, Vonholtz, Vonholz and Vonholte. These names are derivatives of the original name and typically have the same meaning.
Though Varenholz is an uncommon name, those who believe they have a link to the name could research its variants and spellings, as well as other surnames of the same origin, to help uncover their family’s history. Knowing the origin of these names could also help to uncover connections between people who share the same surname.
Famous people with the name Varenholz
- Edward Varenholz: Television editor, writer, and producer from Germany
- Bernhard Varenholz: German theatre director
- Gerd Varenholz: Industrial activist from northern Germany
- Heike Varenholz: German film editor
- patent-agent Ralf Varenholz: German intellectual-property attorney
- Steffen Varenholz: German Entrepreneur and Entrepreneurship Educator
- Tyler Varenhorz: American competitive surfer from California
- Günter Varenholz: German doctor of internal medicine
- Timo Varenholz: German theatre actor
- Rudi Varenholz: German composer and musician