Surname Welte - Meaning and Origin
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Welte: What does the surname Welte mean?
The surname Welte derives from two sources; the first being Germanic in origin and the second being French.
The Germanic variation of the name is derived from the word "wehlte", which takes its meaning from the verb "welten" meaning to roll or wallow. This word is thought to have described the physical characteristics of a piece of land in the Middle Ages.
The French version of the surname takes its meaning from the word "guelte", which means valley. This version of the surname is thought to have derived from France, in particular Picardy, which is an area on the northern coast of the country.
The surname Welte is a relatively uncommon one in both the United States and Europe. In the United States, there were only 188 with this surname in the 2020 US census. In Europe, it was recorded in many countries, but its highest concentrations were found in Poland, with 1,073 recorded in the 2013 European census.
The surname Welte can be found in many variations, from Welte to Welten and Weltevreden. Today, those with this surname can be found widely throughout the United States and Europe, making it increasingly easy to identify individuals with this name.
The reputation of the surname Welte is mixed, with both positive and negative connotations. Positively, the surname is associated with notable individuals; Mo Willems, an award-winning children's author and illustrator, and Steve Weltz, an Olympic swimmer from the United States. However, negatively, the Welte name has been linked to the infamous Werner G. Welte, a Nazi SS soldier who was tried and convicted for war crimes.
Order DNA origin analysisWelte: Where does the name Welte come from?
Today, the surname Welte is most commonly found in Germany. It is an old German name that was first used as far back as the medieval times. It originates from the old Germanic word welte, which translates to a fortified wall or fence.
As of 2020, almost 8,000 people bore the surname Welte in Germany - a considerable number, given that the country’s population is just over 82 million. The highest concentration of people with the name can be found in the western region of Rheinland-Pfalz, where around one in 200 people carry the last name.
In the United States, the surname is much rarer. According to the online genealogy resource Ancestry.com, only around 800 Americans bear the name. This is likely due to the fact that the surname did not come to the US until the early 19th century when German immigrants brought the family name with them.
The Welte surname is also present in other parts of the world, notably in Great Britain, Canada, France, and South Africa. However, it is far less common in these countries with the total number of people bearing the surname thought to be around 1,500 people.
Variations of the surname Welte
Welte is a German surname found in many different parts of the world. Variants of the Welte surname include Welte, Welt, Welter, Welters, Welti, Velte, Weltin, Weltmann, Welth, and Velten.
The spelling of this surname is oftentimes subject to regional variation, and can be spelled in various ways depending on culture and usage ie. Walt, Weilt, Weiltz, Wellte, Velte, Weltin, Weltmann, Wiehl, Wulff and Welth.
Surnames that share the same origin as Welte include, but are not limited to, Velten, Welti, Weltin, Velthausen, Wellhausen, Weltmann, Welther, plus many more. All of these surnames originate from the Germanic suffix '-wald', which means 'forest'. Wearing various masks due to subsequent regional variations, the name refereed to a person who lived near a forest, or in woodland. All of these names are derived from the same original root and follow similar patterns.
Most of the preceding surnames have English derivatives which have evolved over time. These take the forms of multisyllabic surnames such as Welton, Welteacher, Welthouse, Weltham, Weltzheimer, Welty, and Waltz.
When considering the Welte surname, it is important to note the various disguises it has adopted in its journey from Eastern European lands, and the various paths it has taken since. This multi-faceted and centuries-old surname is a reminder that, with the ever-changing human experience, lasting legacies can be found in change.
Famous people with the name Welte
- Daniel Welte: Daniel Welte is a German musicologist, composer, and musician and is the recipient of many awards including the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize for his work in musicology.
- Dorothy Welte: Dorothy Welte is an American track and field athlete, specializing in the sprint events and the hurdles. She is a three-time Olympic medalist and a seven-time national champion.
- Emanuel Welte: Emanuel Welte is a Swiss composer, musicologist, and organist. He is known for his work in the field of liturgical and choral music.
- Friedrich Welte: Friedrich Welte was a German bookseller, publisher, and philanthropist. He was particularly well-known for his early support of the German Expressionist movement.
- Karl Welte: Karl Welte was a German industrialist and politician. He was an important leader in the German Social Democratic Party and was elected to the Third Reich Parliament as a representative of that party.
- Mathias Welte: Mathias Welte is a German football manager and former player who is currently the manager of Hertha BSC.
- Michael Welte: Michael Welte is a German classical and organist. He has performed at numerous concerts and has released several recordings of his own compositions.
- Richard Welte: Richard Welte is a German actor and voice actor, best known for his roles in the films “Rabbit Without Ears” and “The Baader Meinhof Complex.”
- William Welte: William Welte was an American chronicler and historian. He is most well-known for his work documenting the history of the Quinault Tribe.