Surname Wälz - Meaning and Origin
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An Emotional Journey Through Ancestry: Reflections on iGENEA DNA Test and The Wälz Legacy
Embarking on a thrilling emotional journey with iGENEA DNA test has shed light on the layers of lineage and ancestry, ultimately kindling a profound connection to one's roots. The DNA test led to remarkable realizations about the enduring legacy of the Wälz surname, evoking a deep sense of reverence and appreciation.
I. Wälz
read moreWälz: What does the surname Wälz mean?
The last name Wälz is of German origin, and is derived from the name Wald, which means "forest". The name is likely to have been given to a person living in, or near, a forest. It may also have been used as a topographic or descriptive surname used to denote somebody from a valley or a location surrounded by a forest. It likely referred to someone who came from an area surrounded by woodland.
The name is derived from an Old High German root, wal, which was used to describe a clearing in a forest or a game preserve. In the Middle Ages, it was not uncommon for people to take on surnames that indicated the area they lived in. People would often take on the name of their local environment, such as a forest or valley, and this is likely how the name Wälz originated.
The name Wälz can be found all over Germany today, but is particularly common in Bavaria. This could be a result of Bavaria's significant forested areas, which could have led to the adoption of the name as a surname by inhabitants.
Overall, the surname Wälz likely originally referred to somebody who lived in an area surrounded by forest. Such a location would have been common in medieval Germany, and the name has now been adopted by many of the country's population.
Order DNA origin analysisWälz: Where does the name Wälz come from?
The last name Wälz is quite common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, it is particularly common in the Rhineland-Palatinate province where it was one of the most common family names in 2011. It is also common in Saarland and Bavaria states.
In Austria, Wälz is common in the Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Vienna provinces, ranking between the 101st and 200th most common family names in 2010.
In Switzerland, Wälz is particularly common in the Bern canton, where it ranks between the 51st and 100th most common family names in 2008.
Outside of Germanic countries, Wälz is found in the United States, Canada, and other countries with German-speaking populations. According to the US 2010 Census, the surname Wälz ranked as the 12761th most common family name in the United States. Despite being relatively rare in the US, it is somewhat more common in certain areas, such as Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where it was the 551st most common family name.
In addition, Wälz is relatively common in Brazil, where German migration has been significant.
Overall, Wälz is most common in German-speaking regions, but the surname has spread to other countries with German-speaking populations over the centuries.
Variations of the surname Wälz
Wälz is a German surname with multiple variants, spellings, and presumably other surnames of the same origin. Various early records from a variety of documents contain references to this surname in its different variants, which may include Walz, Walzaj, Walzer and Walser, among many others.
The spelling Wälz appears to originate from northern German origins some time in the 15th century. This is the most commonly found version of the name and is typically spelled this way today. A close relative of the same origin, such as the Swedish/ German Wäls, is also common.
In the 16th century, variations in the spelling of the surname Wälz began to appear. The most commonly found versions were Walz, Walzaj and Walzer, but many others have been documented as well, such as Walser, Wähls, Wölsz and Wällz.
In more recent times, the surname Wälz has also taken on a more phonetic approach to the spelling and pronunciation, resulting in spellings like Wals and Walch.
Other variants of the surname Wälz may also exist due to surnames of the same origin having been adopted in other countries or spellings having been changed as a result of hasty immigration processes or language restrictions. For example, if a family from Germany relocated to a country where the language did not have all of the same letters, spellings like Walce, Walso or Walcey may have emerged.
In conclusion, there are a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the name Wälz and these can typically be traced back to its roots in northern German origins.
Famous people with the name Wälz
- Bart Wälz: German actor who has appeared in movies such as The White Ribbon and Es War Einmal.
- Christoph Wälz: German politician and member of the Deutsche Fraktion in the European Parliament.
- David Wälz: Professional cyclist from Germany.
- Emma Wälz: German Figure skater who competed at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
- Georg Wälz: German industrialist and leader of the Wälz Group conglomerate.
- Heiko Wälz: German ten-pin bowler who won a bronze medal in the 2014 European Bowling Championships.
- Jenny Wälz: German singer who gained fame by appearing on the popular television show ‘The Voice’.
- Jonathan Wälz: German-born actor who starred in the Swedish film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the American movie "Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation".
- Kai Wälz: German economist and author of the book "A Design Theory of Entrepreneurship: From Inception Towards Globalization".
- Marie Wälz: German professional golfer who has represented her country in many international tournaments.