Surname von Walter - Meaning and Origin
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von Walter: What does the surname von Walter mean?
The last name von Walter is a German surname derived from the preposition "von" which means "from" or "of". It is commonly associated with noble families and may have derived from a place name associated with the family.
The name is also believed to have originated from the ancestor of a noble family whose name was Walter. It is thought that this ancestor was a descendant of a noble house, and the use of the preposition von was used to make it a nobility title. This practice was popular in Germanic cultures in the Middle Ages.
This practice is still used in present day German culture, though it is primarily used to address people of high standing. It can also be used informally to refer to someone with a Spanish or French noble background.
The von Walter surname is commonly found today in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, as well as in other countries with a German heritage. It remains an important part of the area’s culture and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Walter: Where does the name von Walter come from?
The surname von Walter is primarily found in Germany. It is a noble name with clear origins rooted in the Middle Ages, and many members of the family have held notable titles such as Counts of Königsegg-Rothenfels and Princes of Staadt-Tuilla.
Today, individuals bearing this distinctive surname are primarily located in cities such as Munich and Stuttgart, and various regions in rural Bavaria. Most individuals with the von Walter surname are likely to be descendants of the historical family. Some may also possess the alternate spelling, "von Walters," though it is far less common than the former spelling.
The von Walter name is likely to be found in many parts of Germany, including Baden-Württemberg and Thuringia, as well as parts of Austria and Switzerland, places where Germans have settled over the centuries.
While rare, the von Walter surname does appear in the United States due to relocation of some family members from their German homelands, as well as others with connections to von Walter family members. These modern von Walter families are most likely to be found in cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
Despite its rarity and noble roots, the von Walter name is an emotive and proud one. It is a reminder of German heritage and pride, and a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the family over the centuries.
Variations of the surname von Walter
The surname Von Walter is of German origin and is derived from the Old German word “walt” meaning “forest”. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin includes; Waltener, Waltner, Waldner, Welte, Weltner, Walters, Waltman, Waldman, Waldmann, Walther, Walthers, Waeltner, Walte, Wolte, and Waltenauer.
Von Walter is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the father’s first name. The prefix “von” signified of nobility and was sometimes dropped off or adjusted. Thus, the spelling variations of the surname often depended on the preference of the named family and the region in which they lived.
Waltner is derived from the German element 'wald' meaning 'forest'; this variant was common in Upper and Lower Bavaria. Walther and Walthers are derived from the given name Walther, again meaning 'ruler of the army'. This surname was held by several knights and counts of Austrian and German lineage. Waeltner and Waltman are derived from the Latinized form of the original Old German “walt” (forest). Waldman and Waldmann are derived from the element “wald”, meaning “forest”. This is another common German surname. Wolte, which is also derived from “wald”, was popular in the state of Lower Saxony.
Walte and Waldner are due to their heavier presence in Austria, while Waltener was more common in southern Germany in areas such as Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg. Waltenauer is derived from Walta-auer which translates to “from the forest”, so it is derived from the root word “wald”. It is less common but was mainly found in Austria and Bavaria.
Famous people with the name von Walter
1.Paul von Walter (1870-1928): German politician and Chief of the Army Command. 2.Dr. Willy von Walter (1899-1985): German scientist who was a leading aeronautical engineer in the 1920s and 1930s. 3.Karl von Walter (1894-1945): German World War I flying ace and World War II Americal General. 4.Ludwig von Walter (1898-1978): German Luftwaffe General during World War II and post-war air force commander. 5.Otto von Walter (1884-1921): German politician and politician in the political left. 6.Willi von Walter (1893-1980): German Jewish spy who assisted in the formation of the Israeli intelliegence agency the Mossad. 7.Gottfried von Walter (1908-1958): German doctor and Hitler's personal physician. 8.Prince Christian August of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck-Walter (1722-1799): German nobleman and soldier. 9.Ernst von Walter (1905-1984): German geographer, explorer, and World War II soldier. 10.Walter von Walter (1877-1954): German diplomat who served in the Weimar Republic and Third Reich.