Surname Wolter - Meaning and Origin

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I. Wolter

Wolter: What does the surname Wolter mean?

The surname Wolter is of German origin and it is a variant of the name Walter, which derived from the Old German personal name "Walthari". This name is divided into two elements; “walt” and “hari”. "Walt" or "wald" means rule or govern, while "hari" or "heri" means warrior or army. Thus, the surname Wolter can be interpreted to mean "ruler of the army" or "powerful warrior". This name was commonly used among the military ranks or in aristocratic families, often indicating a person of power, leadership, or of high social status. But like many surnames with occupational or status-related origins, it is now just a family name and does not necessarily imply such characteristics.

Wolter: Where does the name Wolter come from?

The last name Wolter is quite common in Germany and the Low Countries of Europe. In Germany it is considered more of a West German surname, and is most prevalent in the states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt.

It is also found in the Netherlands, particularly in the southern provinces of Noord-Brabant and Limburg. In Belgium, it is found mainly in the provinces of Liège and West Flanders.

The surname is derived from Germanic words which mean ‘teeming’ or ‘wealthy’ and would have been given to families who had achieved some measure of status or prosperity. It was then passed down through the generations in these countries until the present day.

Today, the surname Wolter is still common in Germany and Belgium, and we can find families with this name living across Europe, North America, and even Australia. It can also be seen in other countries that were once part of the German Empire, like Poland and Lithuania.

Overall, the last name Wolter is largely a legacy of Germany and the Low Countries, but can now be found in many other parts of the world, from Canada to South Africa.

Variations of the surname Wolter

The popular German surname Wolter has many variant spellings and versions. Some of the most common variants are Walter, Walther, Welter, Weltzer, Valtzer, Valter, Welzer, Wölter, Wöltzer, and Wörter.

The surname Wolter is derived from the same root as its various spellings, which is derived from the Germanic personal name Walther and its variants. The name is ultimately derived from the Germanic term 'wald', meaning 'rule'. Walther was also popularized by the medieval Germanic romances of 'The Song of the Nibelungs' and 'The Song of Roland' as the head of the kings of Burgundy.

Walther and its various spellings, including Wolter, were widely adopted as a surname by many German families from early modern times onward. It is still common throughout Germany, but is most prevalent in the northwestern regions. It also spread to other parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the Baltic states.

In the United States, many families of German ancestry, including those with the Wolter surname, have anglicized this name to Walter, which is by far the most common spelling. Consequently, many of the variant spellings of Walther and Wolter have become extinct in the U.S.

The Wolter surname may also have derived from a place name, with several towns in Germany known by the name Alter, Wöltzer, Wölter, etc. Families who took their name from one of these places may have changed it to Wolter over the centuries.

Despite its various spellings, the Wolter surname has a common origin, and those who bear it are likely connected by their shared ancestry.

Famous people with the name Wolter

• Craig Wolter: American professional ice hockey player who currently plays for EVZ Academy, the farm team of EV Zug, a Swiss professional ice hockey team.
• Joachim Wolter: German actor, writer, poet, and composer.
• Ingo Wolter: German composer, arranger, and musical director.
• Mathias Wolter: German freestyle swimmer.
• Martha Wolter: German writer and translator.
• Peter Wolter: German astronomer.
• C. S. Wolter: American composer, arranger, and conductor.
• Erich Wilhelm Wolter: German conductor and Teachers’ Association leader.
• Karl Wolter: German doctor and mountaineer.
• Veronika Wolter: German writer and actress.
• Stephen G. Wolter: American chemist.
• George Wolter: Canadian-born American organist, choral director, and composer.
• Herman Joe Wolter: American football guard.
• Charles Edward Wolter: American politician.
• Konrad Wolter: German entomologist.
• Hartmut Wolter: German astrophysicist and professor.
• Sherman Lothrop Wolter: American football player.
• Bernhard Wolter: German singer and songwriter.
• Carl Julius Wolter: German architect, builder and entrepreneur.
• Eberhard Wolter: German Olympic fencer.

Other surnames

WolterinckWolteringWölteringWolterinkWölterkesWoltermannWoltersWoltersmannWoltery