Surname Weseloh - Meaning and Origin

Weseloh: What does the surname Weseloh mean?

The last name Weseloh is of German origin and is thought to refer to a person from a place called Wesel in Germany. The term “oh” is thought to be an abbreviation for “of” or “from” in this case. Therefore, the last name Weseloh can be interpreted to mean “from Wesel.”

Wesel is a city located in the Lower Rhine region of Germany near the Dutch/German border. It is an important part of the Rhine-Weser-Ruhr region and has historically been a trading hub. It is home to many ferry-services, a harbour, and salt-trade, and it has been a frequent target of military conquests by France, Spain, and Holland.

The name itself is derived from the root ‘Wessel’ which is derived from the phrase ‘Wes-el’, which translates to ‘pertaining to a weasel’ in Old Germanic. This likely alludes to the small, opportunistic mammals that once were abundant in the area.

Over time, the name became synonymous with those in the area and eventually became a surname as families or individuals began to identify with it. As it gained popularity, many spelling variants of the name, including Weseloh, were created. Although spelling variations exist, the original meaning of the name has not been lost.

To this day, Weseloh is associated with the city of Wesel and those of German descent. It signifies a deep connection to a place and land that holds a special place in the hearts of many.

Weseloh: Where does the name Weseloh come from?

The last name Weseloh is most common in Germany today, particularly in the western sections of the country. It is estimated that there are around 2,000 people with the last name Weseloh living in Germany. The name also has a presence in other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

The surname also appears in many parts of the US, particularly among German Mennonite descendants of those who left the Low Countries for religious freedom during the 1600s and 1700s. Today, some of the most heavily populated areas for those with the last name Weseloh are the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, with more than 500 individuals with the name in each of those states alone.

Outside of Germany and the US, the Weseloh surname is sparse. In countries such as the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Canada, less than 500 people are estimated to be using the surname. This may be due to relatively recent immigration or intermarriage, as well as people changing their last name.

All in all, the last name Weseloh is generally more common in Germany, as well as in the US among the descendants of German immigrants.

Variations of the surname Weseloh

The surname Weseloh has several variants and spellings, including Weselow, Wesseloh, Wesselow, Wessaloh, Wessalow, Wessilow, Wesalo, Wessalo, Wesalah, Wessalah, Westele, Westley, Westly, Westaley and Westaley. It is also sometimes spelled as Weselo or Weseloe.

Weseloh is a German surname derived from several place names, many of which are located throughout former East Germany and West Prussia. The original place names are derived from the Old German words weder, meaning “opposite” or “across,” and loh, meaning “wood or forest” — hence Weseloh, or “across the woods.”

The variant spellings are derived from regional dialects, so the name might appear differently depending on the region where it originated. Wesseloh is the most common variant of the name and is the version found most often in modern-day Germany.

The surname Weseloh can also be found in Anglophone countries such as the United States, Canada, England and Australia, where it is often Americanized as Westley, Westly or Wessley.

The German surname has also been adopted as a given name and is often spelled as Westley, Westly, Wesly, Wesleigh or Weslee.

Though Weseloh is a German surname, people with this name might not necessarily have German ancestry — anyone can adopt the surname, regardless of their cultural heritage.

Famous people with the name Weseloh

• Cammi Granato: Former gold medal-winning captain of the U.S. Women's hockey team
• Chris Weseloh: US Democratic politician
• Kenny Weseloh: US Republican politician
• Robin Weseloh: Canadian television producer
• Annette Weseloh: German Nazi activist
• Jens Weseloh: German accession banker
• Marianne Weseloh: German museum director
• Heike Weseloh: German lawyer and judge
• David Weseloh: Canadian business executive
• Eric J. Weseloh: American artist and entrepreneur

Other surnames

Weselau