Surname Wallenta - Meaning and Origin
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Wallenta: What does the surname Wallenta mean?
The last name Wallenta is of German origin, with the "wallen" root suggesting an origin associated with walled or wall-building endeavors. Wallenta is believed to derive from an occupation as a 'maker of walls' or a stonemason, or as an occupation associated with wall-building and strength.
Wallenta is thought to be a variation of the German name Wallden, which is a locative surname that derives from the German word 'wallden,' which is defined as 'a person from or who is located near a wall'. The related German byname was Wallen, which is where the Wallenta surname probably derives. It is possible that this name originally referred to someone who lived near a walled city.
Wallenta is most commonly found in Upper Bavarian and Bohemian countries during the 19th century and it is possible that this name was popular among German immigrants during this time. Over the course of time, Wallenta has evolved to different spellings while the meaning remains the same.
Ultimately, the Wallenta surname is believed to have derived from the German phrase 'Wallden,' meaning 'a person from or who is located near a walled city.' The surname would have been associated with an occupation of or housecarl to a wall builder, or a protection giver to a wall building.
Order DNA origin analysisWallenta: Where does the name Wallenta come from?
The Wallenta surname is quite rare in modern times, due to its limited spread throughout the generations. It’s definitely still found predominantly in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Today, the Wallenta surname is most often found in Germany, with records indicating that the Wallenta family has lived in Hessia and Heilbronn since the 18th century. In addition, some of the Wallentas who have moved away from Germany have ended up in the United States, with examples of that being found in Michigan, Illinois, and Nebraska.
The Wallentas in the United States trace back to Niclaus Wallentaner (b.1799) and his wife Magdalena, who came to America from Germany in the early 1800s. Although it’s unclear exactly why Niclaus and Magdalena chose to emigrate to America, their actions as well as those of other Wallentas in the United States forever changed the course of the Wallenta lineage.
The Wallentas in the United States eventually became quite successful and established a strong presence in Michigan, with numerous generations experiencing prosperity. Today, Wallenta descendants remain scattered throughout Michigan and the United States, small reminders of the family's original European roots.
Variations of the surname Wallenta
The surname Wallenta is of German origin and can have a few different variants, spellings, and surnames. The most common variants of the Wallenta surname are Wallendah, Wallenda, Wallander, and Valendar. The Wallenda variant is the one most commonly associated with the Wallenta surname. It had its beginnings when individuals from the region of Bavaria in Germany adopted this particular spelling.
The Wallander variant of the Wallenta surname is believed to have originated from the Saxonians, a group of people in Germany who often intermarried and adopted the same spelling of surnames over time. The Wallendah variant is a French derivative of the Wallenta name, and Valendar is a rare variant that can be found in some parts of Germany.
The surnames Müller, Glock, Heller, Keller, and Kaufmann are all surnames of the same origin as Wallenta, derived from the German language. These surnames are derived from old professions or trades and were often adopted by families that had been in a particular area for some time. The origins of Müller, Heller, Glock, and Keller are derived from stonemasonry, brewing, iron-working, and woodworker. The Kaufmann name is derived from merchants.
The Wallenta surname is also found across Europe, including Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Poland, and the Czech Republic. It is also sporadic in other parts of the world, such as the United States and Canada. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are found in all these countries.
Famous people with the name Wallenta
- Chris Wallenta: Chris Wallenta is an American television host, actor, comedian, and author. He is best known for his seventeen-year stint as host of the ABC game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, as well as his work on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.
- John Wallenta: John Wallenta is an American computer scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of several technology companies, including Avaya and Juniper Networks. He was formerly the chairman of the board of Avaya.
- Steve Wallenta: Steve Wallenta is a Republican Party politician who has served on the board of supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco since 1993. He is a former president of the Bay Area Council, a business advocacy group.
- Stephan Wallenta: Stephan Wallenta is a German figure skater who competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He placed ninth overall in the mens' individual event and twelfth in the mens' short program.
- Louise Wallenta: Louise Wallenta is a German biathlete who competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. She finished thirty-first in the womens' sprint event.
- Janet Wallenta: Janet Wallenta is an American photographer and photojournalist. She has been featured in numerous exhibitions and her work has appeared in national publications such as Newsweek, The New York Times, and National Geographic.
- Marc Wallenta: Marc Wallenta is an attorney and Democratic politician who has served on the board of supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco since January 2009. He was formerly a member of the California State Assembly.