Surname Wellhous - Meaning and Origin
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Wellhous: What does the surname Wellhous mean?
The last name Wellhous is of English and German origin. It is derived from the German word welhaus, which means "well house". It is believed to have been a descriptive name for someone who lived or worked at a building or structure used to house a source of water, such as a well or water basin. Alternatively, it could have been used to refer to someone who lived by such a water source.
The surname is thought to have first originated in Bavaria, a region in the south-east of modern Germany. It was then popularized among French and German immigrants as they settled in England during the Middle Ages. Since then, the surname has spread throughout Europe and even to the United States.
At present, there are many variants of this surname, including Wellhaus, Welhaus, Wellhouser, Welhouser, and Welhousen. It is likely that each of these namesevolved from the original English version of Wellhous.
Overall, the last name Wellhous is an example of an ancient naming practice that has been in existence since the Middle Ages. It evolved as a way to distinguish people and places by unique names. It is still commonplace today, showing the lasting legacy of this tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisWellhous: Where does the name Wellhous come from?
The surname Wellhous is most commonly found today in Germany and Switzerland. It is a very rare name, even within those two countries, but the most heavily populated regions are in the Bavarian region of southern Germany and in the cantons of Valais and Vaud in Switzerland. The etymology of the name suggests it is derived from two Middle High German words, wâl and houm, meaning 'foreshore enclosure' or 'lower slope'.
In Germany, the name is associated with the variety of villages that share the same name. The most widely known are located in the Upper Palatine regions of the east, in Lower Saxony and in Baden-Württemberg.
In Switzerland, the name is more widely spread in the Valais canton, where its most populous village, Wellhous, lies on the eastern edge of the Rhône valley along the northern shore of Lake Geneva. Other villages with the same name are located in the cantons of Vaud, Bern, Neuchâtel, Geneva and Lucerne.
Overall, the name Wellhous is likely to be of German origin and is currently found mostly in Germany and Switzerland. It is relatively uncommon and even in the two countries in which its presence is highest, it remains a rare surname.
Variations of the surname Wellhous
The surname Wellhous is an English occupational name originally for someone who managed a well. Variants of Wellhous include Wellhouse, Wellouse, and Wellsis. Spellings include Wellhause, Wellhows, Wellhouse, and Wellhouss.
The surname Wellhous has spread to different countries and over time it has developed many different alternate surnames. In England, the most common variations are Wellish and Wellhous. Meanwhile, in Scotland, Wellhouse is the most common variation.
In the United States, the most common variations include Wellhouse, Wellhaus, and Wells. In Germany, the most common variation is Wellhausen.
Variations of Wellhous can also be found in France, such as Wellehouse, and in Italy, such as Wellhause and Vallhausi. In Denmark, the most popular variation is Vilshause, and in Netherlands, the most common variation is Welhuizen.
Apart from these countries, variations of the surname Wellhous can also be found in Australia and New Zealand, where the most common variations are Wellhouse, Wellehaus, and Wells.
As seen, the surname Wellhous has managed to spread to different countries over time, developing many different alternate surnames and forms. Although the origin and meaning of Wellhous remains largely unchanged, the name has taken on many different forms over time.
Famous people with the name Wellhous
- John Wellhous: American film and television producer
- Shelby Wellhous: American tennis player
- Spencer Wellhous: Australian soccer player
- Jack Wellhous: American actor
- Martin Wellhous: French composer
- Art Wellhous: American composer
- Sonny Wellhous: American radio personality
- Jennifer Wellhous: American actress
- Danny Wellhous: British jazz musician
- Patrick Wellhous: British author