Surname Walthart - Meaning and Origin

Walthart: What does the surname Walthart mean?

The last name Walthart is a German occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word "walt(e)rin", which was used to describe a guard, keeper, or watchman. The surname is believed to have initially been adopted by an ancestor of the Walthart family who worked in a security capacity.

Originally, its use was related to a Medieval occupation of protecting or guarding people, property, or a farm from damage or theft. In some cases, the name may have been adopted in reference to a family’s ancestral home being located near a guarded passage or a type of watchtower. Variations of the name include Walther, Walthers, Waltherson, and Walthert.

The Walthart surname is also associated with the Wülzburg, a castle in Bavaria, Germany whose existence dates back to the 11th century. In 1345, the castle was transferred to the Upper Franconian noble family of Walthart. As a result, members of the Walthart family, who had previously used the name, proudly began to identify themselves with the region and the castle, which is still in existence today.

The Walthart name is a reminder of the family’s strength and courage, and carries with it a sense of pride. Throughout history, the Walthart family has distinguished itself through its remarkable resilience and commitment to serving others. To this day, the Walthart surname remains a symbol of honor and distinction in German-speaking countries.

Walthart: Where does the name Walthart come from?

The last name Walthart is more common in Northern Europe, especially in Germanic countries, and is also found scattered throughout the world. Today, the highest concentrations of people with the last name Walthart can be found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with many smaller pockets of the surname found in the United States, Canada, and parts of the United Kingdom.

In Germany, the last name can be found primarily in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. One of the oldest records of the name is found in the 15th century when Johann Walthart served as an adviser to the mayors of Biberach an der Riss, Germany. In Austria, the surname is most prominent in the states of Tyrol and Salzburg.

In the US, records of the name begin in the late 1800s when the first Waltharts started to arrive from Europe. Most were from Germany but some had come from as far away as Austria. In Canada, the last name is found primarily in the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontaria, with smaller concentrations in British Columbia and Alberta.

In summary, it is clear that the last name Walthart is strongly associated with countries within Europe, especially Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. At the same time, there are also significant populations of Walthart throughout the US, Canada, and parts of the United Kingdom.

Variations of the surname Walthart

The surname Walthart possesses different spellings and variants. Most commonly, it is spelled as it is originally written: “Walthart.” However, some alternate spellings that have been recorded for this family name include Wahlhart, Wahlert, Walhart, Walhter, Welhart, Wehlart, and Whehlhart.

Despite the fact that some may think these various spellings suggest a diverse origin for the surname, this is not the case. In fact, all of these spellings can trace back to the original Walthart spellings. This variation in spellings comes from a common practice of phonetic spelling over the centuries, which often led to discrepancies in the correct and official spelling. As with many other Germanic and High Germanic surnames, Walthart likely originated in the pre-Christian era and slowly evolved as a name used by both individuals and family lines.

The surname also holds a number of variants, including Walther, Waltner, Valther, Waltdorfer, Walthert, Walsh, and Walster. It is important to note, however, that not all variants of this surname are necessarily of the same origin. In some instances, variants of the Walthart surname may have been influenced by the local or regional language at the time - for example, those variants which sound more Anglo-Saxon or Anglo-Irish in nature.

It can also be noted that the same surname may carry different spellings outside of Germany, as well. Some variants of the Walthart surname have been recorded in various countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. In countries such as Austria and Hungary, it has been noted that the Walthart surname is recorded variously as Weltner, Welter, Veltheim, Valther, Valter, Weltzer, and Walkhoff. As can be seen, these variants are likely to be a reflection of the language spoken in that particular region. In this way, the same surname can have multiple variations based regionally.

Famous people with the name Walthart

• Ellen Walthart: Ellen Walthart is an American actress and singer who has appeared in several television shows, including Switched at Birth, Highway to Heaven, and The John Larroquette Show.
• William Walthart: William Walthart was an American rock music composer and keyboardist. He is best known as the leader of the band White Zombie, which was active from 1985 to 1998.
• Harvey Walthart: Harvey Walthart is an American jazz saxophonist who has played with some of the greatest musicians in the genre, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Herbie Hancock.
• Sarah Walthart: Sarah Walthart is an American actress who starred in the 1993 film Miracle on 34th Street.
• Robert Walthart: Robert Walthart is an American actor best known for his roles in the 2017 film Logan, the 2018 film Dare to Be Wild, and the television series This Is Us.
• Charles Walthart: Charles Walthart was an American songwriter and composer who wrote the music to the Broadway musicals Carousel, South Pacific, and The King and I.
• Darius Walthart: Darius Walthart is an American actor known for his roles in the films Zookeeper and Starship Troopers.
• William Walthart Jr.: William Walthart Jr. was an American attorney and politician who served as a Congressman for the state of Kentucky from 1897 to 1901.
• Georg Walthart: Georg Walthart was a German engraver who worked on several notable projects, including the first casting of a lithographic stone and the engraving of a series of coins and medals.

Other surnames

WalthallWalthausen