Surname Welterlin - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Welterlin: What does the surname Welterlin mean?
The last name Welterlin is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word “welterlin” which translates to “ruler of the world.” This indicates that the original bearer of this surname likely had a powerful and wealth-laden base of ancestry.
The surname Welterlin gained popularity in the 1500s and 1600s, with the first notable bearer of the name being Johann Wilhelm Welterlin. He was a prominent figure in the battlefield during the Thirty Years’ War, earning him the title of “castle builder."
Over the centuries, the surname has spread throughout Germany, and branches of the Welterlin family have also settled in other countries, such as France, Great Britain, and the United States. There are many variations of the name, including Welterling, Welteling, Weltering, and Welterlingen.
For centuries, the Welterlin surname has been associated with strength, power, and prosperity. It is a reminder of the achievements of generations of Welterlins, and a testament to the inspiring heritage of the Welterlin family.
Order DNA origin analysisWelterlin: Where does the name Welterlin come from?
The last name Welterlin is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The earliest mention of this name dates back to the 13th century, when a family by the name of "den Walderlin" was recorded in present-day Bavaria. This family is believed to be the earliest recorded example of the Welterlin name.
Today, the name is most commonly associated with the Stuttgart area of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, as well as the surrounding cities and towns of Ludwigsburg, Heilbronn, and Mannheim. Records from these areas suggest that the name Welterlin dates back to at least the late 15th or early 16th century.
Welterlins can also be found in the United States, where they were among the earliest German immigrants to the country in the early 19th century. This population is primarily located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, likely due to these states’ reputation as a hub of Germanic culture, particularly after the Pennsylvania Dutch immigration during the 1800s. As of 2020, the Welterlin name is spread across the US, with a smaller population in other countries including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Welterlin
The Welterlin surname has a few variants and spellings, including Wetterlin, Wetterling, and Wettehrling. These spellings are all derived from the surname's original home in Germany. Wetterlin is the most common spelling of the name, and it is derived from the German words "wetter" and "linie," which translate to "weather line."
The Wettehrling and Wetterling variations of the name are derived from the German word "wetterling," which further translates to "weather child" or "weather dew." These derived spellings are less common than the original variant.
Due to the many regional dialects in Germany, the family name also has regional variants and surnames derived from it. These include Welton, Velten, and Welling. They are all derived from Wetterlin and its variants, as part of the process of name changing to reflect regional dialects of the German language.
While Welterlin is an uncommon surname today, its variants signal the widespread impact it had when it first emerged. The many surnames and variants demonstrate its influence not only locally but also throughout Germany.
Famous people with the name Welterlin
- Victoria Welterlin: a German artist and actress from Nuremberg who is best known for her work in modern dance and theatre.
- Matthias Welterlin: a politician from Berlin who is a member of the Christian Democratic Union and was a former Parliamentary State Secretary of Germany.
- Julianne Welterlin: a notable contemporary artist from Switzerland whose work often explores themes of beauty, identity and identity politics.
- Frank Welterlin: a retired German football player who played for 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Karlsruher SC.
- Carl Friedrich Welterlin: a German numismatist and banker from Frankfurt, who was a important figure in the development of numismatics as a field of study in the 18th century.
- Matthias Welterlin: a prominent German aeronautical engineer and professor at the Technical University of Kaiserslautern.
- Johann Karl Welterlin: a notable German surgeon and professor at the University of Jena.
- Paulina Welterlin: a Swiss actress and singer who has performed in various theatres, films and television series.
- Kirsten Welterlin: a German singer, songwriter and actress who gained international fame for her performance in the musical ‘Cabaret'.
- Christian Frederic Welterlin: an important figure in the development of Romantic art in Germany, especially in the final quarter of the 18th century.