Surname Walthausen - Meaning and Origin
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Walthausen: What does the surname Walthausen mean?
Walthausen is a German surname that would have derived from a place name. Although the exact origin is unclear, the name is believed to have two main probable locations that could have provided the basis for the surname. The first is the town of Walhausen located in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This area is a region of lush mountains, forests, and castles, which may have provided an inspiring backdrop for the development of this unique surname. The second plausible origination point is from Walhausen located in the lower Rhine region of Germany. This area is an agricultural haven with fertile soil and vast fields of grains, which may explain why the name is so associated with farming.
Traditionally, those who had the surname of Walthausen were farmers. This would explain the surname's associations with grain and crops. Through the years the surname has begun to manifest itself in other ways. For example, those with the surname of Walthausen have become doctors, lawyers, and teachers.
The phrase ‘urbs Waltheusen’ is related to the Walthausen surname meaning ‘village of Walthausen’. This phrase likely originated during the Middle Ages, when many Germanic families adopted surnames derived from geographical locations or features.
Overall, Walthausen is a German surname with origins that trace back to two possible places, Walhausen, Baden-Württemberg and Walhausen, Lower Rhine. Historically those with the surname were farmers while it has evolved to become more diversified and associated with various other professions.
Order DNA origin analysisWalthausen: Where does the name Walthausen come from?
Today, the last name Walthausen is most commonly found in the north German region of Lower Saxony and the adjoining Netherlands. It is likely that the origin of the surname dates back to medieval times, when it was first used as a reference to the town of Walthausen. Originally, this small village was a freedom fortress built on the grounds of an old castle that was established by the Count of Walthausen in 1297. Despite its small size, Walthausen played an important role in German-Dutch border tensions and marked the beginning of an eventual border between the two countries. The Walthausen family, who were originally vassals of the Count, eventually took on the name of the town as their own family name.
As the centuries passed, many members of the Walthausen family left the village and moved to other parts of Germany and Europe. Today, those who have the last name Walthausen are likely descendants of that original family who have spread out across the continent. It is likely that in addition to the individuals living in Lower Saxony and the Netherlands, there are numerous other individuals of the Walthausen family scattered around Europe, the United States, and beyond.
Variations of the surname Walthausen
The surname Walthausen is a German and Dutch patronymic surname derived from the Old German personal name Waltso, a diminutive form of Walt (which means ‘rule’). Variations and spellings of Walthausen include Walthaus, Walthouse, Walhouse, Walhausen, Waldhausen, Waldhaus, Walhaus, Waldhouse, Valthouse, and Valhausen.
The surname Walthausen is also classified as a habitational name derived from a place name, such as Waldhausen or Walthausen, and these are located in several countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Variations and spellings of this form of the surname include Walthaus, Walthouse, Waldhaus, Walhausen, Walhousen, Walhause, Wadelhausen, Waldhauser, Walhauser, Walhausser, and Walhous.
Variations of the surname also exist in other countries, such as Norway, where the surnames Valthus and Valthusen are derived from Walthausen. In Sweden, the Valteus and Valteuss surnames are also related to the Walthausen surname.
Several distinct immigrant families of the Walthausen surname have also been recorded in the United States, ranging from as early as the years prior to the American Revolution up to more recent years. Variations and spellings of the surname in the United States include Walthaus, Walthouse, Walhaus, Walhouse, Wallaus, Wahlhaus, Waltaus, Waltauss, and Weltaus.
Famous people with the name Walthausen
- Dr. F. August Walthausen: 19th-century German naval historian and writer.
- William S. Walthausen Jr.:Owner of W.S. Walthausen & Co., a New York investment banking firm, and founder of the W.S. Walthausen Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to investing in organizations throughout the New York City area.
- Perrie Walthausen: Television producer, production coordinator, editor, and director.
- Hidde Walthausen: Dutch landscape painter.
- Gini Walthausen: Illustrator and gallery artist.
- Hans Walthausen: German physicist, professor, and invertebrate zoology expert.
- Johann Walthausen: German painter and illustrator.
- Dietrich Walthausen: German businessman and philanthropist.
- Johannes Walthausen: German theologian and missionary.
- Jürgen Walthausen:Professor of Applied Geophysics at the Technische Universität München.