Surname Walber - Meaning and Origin
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Walber: What does the surname Walber mean?
The last name Walber is of German-Jewish origin. It is a variant spelling of the word Valbert, which comes from the Germanic words “wald” and “berht”, meaning “rule” and “bright” respectively. The name may have originated from an ancient Germanic ruler, or from a nickname for a particularly clever and bright individual.
The surname Walber is very common in Germany, as well as in many other areas which were once part of the German Empire. One of the earliest recorded bearers of this name is found in the records of the state of Hesse in the year 1613.
In various parts of Europe, the Walber family is also known by other spellings, such as Walberer or Walbier. The name may also be found in other areas of the world, including the United States, Canada and other countries which have been settled by immigrants from Germany and other parts of Europe.
Walber is a name which carries with it a long history and a heritage of notable members. The surname has been associated with both business people and politicians, with notable individuals such as politician Ignaz Walber, the mayor of Berlin from 1903-1904, as well as Theodore Walbeer, a famous German businessman and railroad entrepreneur.
Order DNA origin analysisWalber: Where does the name Walber come from?
The surname Walber is of German origin. Today, the surname is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It can also be found among German-descended populations around the world, particularly in North America, South America and Australia.
In Germany, the surname Walber is especially concentrated in the relatively small, southern state of Bavaria. According to a 2020 study of surname distribution commissioned by the German Genealogical Association, the name Walber is most common in the Bavarian cities of Munich, Freising, and Heidelberg. The name is also found in Bavarian districts such as Kronach, Marktredwitz, and Stadtbergen.
Outside of Germany, the surname Walber is most common in the United States and Canada. In the US, significant populations of individuals with this surname can be found in Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota. Canadian communities with significant Walber populations include Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Smaller populations of people with the surname Walber can be found in other countries, including Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
The prevalence of this surname is a testament to the lasting influence of German migration around the world. People with this surname will often share a common ancestry, but their descendants will have culturally diverse backgrounds thanks to the many generations they have had to spread across the world.
Variations of the surname Walber
Walber is a surname of German origin, spelled as Wolber, Walper, Wehlper, Wilper, and Wildberger. The surname is derived from the German given name WALBERG, which is derived from the Old High German root wald ("ruler" or "power") combined with berg ("mountain").
Walber is a rare surname in most countries today but is found in large numbers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In the US, the surname Walber is mainly found in areas of early German settlement (Ohio and Pennsylvania).
The most common variations of Walber include Wolber, Walper, Wehlper, Wilper, and Wildberger. Wolber and Walper are the most common variants, while Wehlper, Wilper, and Wildberger are less commonly used.
The phonetic spelling of the name can also cause variants to occur, such as Wollbur, Walburb, and Welbur. Additionally, other German spellings of the surname can be found, such as Walbe, Walba, Walbau, Walbert, Wallbur, and Wallber.
Surnames of similar origin include the Bavarian Wabler and the Prussian Walpurg. Walbur, as a variant of Walber, could also be found as a surname in German-speaking regions but is usually found more as a given name in other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Walber
- Jorck Walber: soccer player from Brazil
- Joe Walber: American actor who had roles in movies such as Spider-Man 2 and 2 Fast 2 Furious
- Andreas Walber: German author who wrote Grundgedanken der protestantischen Ethik
- Blasius Walber: Baroque composer and organist
- Niels Walber: Danish professional footballer who plays as a winger for Austrian Football Bundesliga club Hartberg
- Michael Walber: American actor who had roles in movies such as I Love You, Beth Cooper and Hot Tub Time Machine
- Alexandra Walber: German actress best known for her roles in films Lang lebe Ned Devine and The Great Wall
- Lena Walber: Swedish tennis player who won the doubles event at the 1983 French Open
- Felipe Walber: Brazilian entrepreneur and investor best known for his former venture capital firm Matrix
- Tom Walber: British motorbike racer who competed in multiple events, including the Superbike World Championship.