Surname Wälscher - Meaning and Origin

Wälscher: What does the surname Wälscher mean?

The last name Wälscher is a German surname with several possible origins. Some sources suggest that the name is derived from the old German word “walh”, meaning Celtic (or “foreigner”). Other sources suggest that the name is derived from an old High German word “walhscher”, which could mean “stranger” or “outsider”.

The earliest recorded use of the surname Wälscher dates back to the year 1348, in the small town of Nürnburg in southern Germany. Over time, the name spread throughout Bavaria, Silesia, and other parts of Germany. The earliest known bearers of the Wälscher name lived in the region of Saxony in the early 1500s.

The name Wälscher is found throughout Europe today, particularly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, and parts of Scandinavia. The variants of the surname Wälscher include Welsher, Walcher, Walscher, Welscher, Walcher, and Valcher.

The name Wälscher is closely associated with the Walschers, a group of German emigrants who left their homeland in the mid-1800s and established new lives in Peru and Ecuador. In Peru, the family rebuilt a settlement originally established by another group of German emigrants, this time in the Chancay valley near Lima.

In modern times, individuals with the surname Wälscher are scattered across the world, but some still keep close ties to their German heritage. Whatever the origin of the name may be, the descendants of the original Wälscher family remain a prominent presence in many parts of Europe and beyond.

Wälscher: Where does the name Wälscher come from?

The last name Wälscher is common today in several European countries, particularly in Germany and Austria. In Germany, the name is most commonly found in the regions of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In Austria, Wälscher is most commonly found in the states of Vienna and Lower Austria. Both countries share commonalities regarding their language, culture, and history, which may explain the similarity in geographic spread of the surname today.

The surname is believed to be derived from the old German word walchen, which was used to refer to someone from a forested area. Alternatively, the surname Wälscher could be derived from Walch, which was a given name commonly used in Europe, and was derived from a Germanic term meaning "foreigner." It is possible that the given name was later adopted as a surname, and the change in spelling has undoubtedly occurred over the generations.

In modern times, the surname is widespread throughout Europe. It can be seen in many regions of Scandinavia, along with areas in Eastern Europe, particularly in Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. Additionally, Wälscher can also be found in parts of the United States, particularly in states like Minnesota or New York.

Variations of the surname Wälscher

The surname Wälscher is a variant of the German name Welsch, which is derived from the old High German word ‘welsch’, meaning ‘foreigner’, 'stranger', or 'outsider'. The given name Wälscher, and its variants, came into use to describe someone of French or Italian origin, as the Franks and Lombards were sometimes referred to as ‘Welsch’ in the Middle Ages.

The variants of the surname Wälscher include: Welsch, Wälsche, Wessel, Woltz, Wöltz, Wälchli, Völker, Volk, Völkle, and Velker. The surname was common to the German-speaking areas of the world, such as Eastern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

The spelling of Wälscher is also found in several different forms including Welsh, Velsh, Wählisch, Wälzsch, Wehlisch, Vöhlisch, Weltsch, and Wälsch. The surname also has variations when it is combined with other surnames. For example, Wälscher-Böhm, Welsch-Fengler, and Welsch-Kleiböhmer.

Although the origin of the surname Wälscher is from German speaking countries, it has spread to other parts of the world, notably America and England. Several Americanized variants of the surname have developed over the years, such as Walls, Welsh, Welson, Welsch, Walsch, Wallisch, and Velsch.

Overall, the surname Wälscher is a variant of the German name Welscher, and has many variations in spelling, origin, and surname. It remains popular in many countries and is an important part of many people's family history.

Famous people with the name Wälscher

• Jon Wälscher, German baker and songwriter
• Mathilda Wälscher, German actress
• Jan Wälscher, German cyclist
• Jonas Wälscher, Swedish football player
• April Wälscher, American model and author
• Carl Wälscher, German scientist
• René Wälscher, Swiss industrial designer
• Sarah Wälscher, American painter
• Max Wälscher, Austrian poet
• Robert Wälscher, German chess player
• Joanna Wälscher, German ballerina
• Mathias Wälscher, Austrian filmmaker
• Marilyn Wälscher, Canadian First Nations artist
• Liv Wälscher, Swedish actress
• Raymond Wälscher, French graphics artist

Other surnames

Walscheid