Surname Weltz - Meaning and Origin
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Weltz: What does the surname Weltz mean?
The last name Weltz is a German surname deriving from Old High German and loosely translating to ‘foreign’, ‘strange’ or ‘outsider’. The plural form, Welten, has also been used as a surname over the years.
It is thought that this surname began with people who lived in a location that was home to foreign people or those who moved into a settlement from a different region. As a result, they may have been seen as outsiders compared to the locals.
The surname may also be associated with the Protestant religion. During the Reformation, reformers such as Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon questioned the beliefs of representatives from other countries, earning them the title ‘strange’, ‘foreign’ and ‘outsider’.
In terms of modern usage, the surname Weltz can be found in areas across Europe, with the highest concentration of people bearing the surname being found in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. It is also found in smaller numbers in France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium.
Today, people with this surname may still find themselves seen as outsiders in certain social circles, cultures and religions. Alternatively, the name may go with the traits associated with being a foreigner or outsider, such as independence, creativity and a willingness to try new things.
Order DNA origin analysisWeltz: Where does the name Weltz come from?
The last name Weltz is very common in Germany and parts of Austria today, especially in the region of Bavaria. This indicates that the surname may have Germanic origins. Evidence suggests that Weltz can be derived from the Germanic first name Witeclaud, meaning 'white-clawed'.
The surname is also occasionally found in the United States, predominantly among individuals of German descent. It also appears in the Netherlands, Canada, and several other European countries. Records indicate that the first Weltz in the United States arrived in 1723, though it is likely the surname was in America before then.
The surname Weltz is also widespread in Israel, perhaps due to the immigration of German Jews in the 1800s and the aftermath of World War II. It appears that the distinct spelling of the surname there is Veltz.
Variations of the surname Weltz
The surname Weltz is of German, Swiss and Jewish origin and has several variants and spellings. Denoting someone who lived near an unpopulated area, the name originated from an old Germanic word meaning “woods”.
Variations of the surname Weltz include Weltzfaust, Weltzius, Weltz-Jacob, Weltzl, Weltzman, Weltzmann, Weltzmeister, Weltzz, and Weltzheimer. In some cases, the surname is also spelled Woltz, Wultz, Welsz, and Wälz.
In some cases, the name can also be found as a variant of the surname Wellhausen, Wellsheimer, and Weilscher. These variants are derived from place names where families of the same origin lived, such as Welschheim, a small town in Germany. In particular, Weltzheimer is derived from a location called Weltzheim.
The Weltz surname is found around the world, with numerous families bearing the name from Germany, Switzerland, and several countries of the former Soviet Union. Many bearers of the surname continue to trace their origins back to Germany.
Famous people with the name Weltz
- Otto Weltz: German World War II U-boat commander
- August Weltz: Austrian composer and pianist
- Edward Weltz: Former Canadian ice hockey player
- William Weltz: American songwriter and film producer
- Robert Weltz: Former American swimming champion
- Richard Weltz: Former American boxer
- Christian Weltz: German former national team handball player
- Maire Weltz: Finnish former Olympic long-distance runner
- Charles Weltz: Former American football player
- Kurt Weltz: Austrian painter and colorer