Surname Wellhousen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wellhousen: What does the surname Wellhousen mean?
The last name Wellhousen is a Germanic name, derived from the words ‘wellen’ meaning ‘to boil’ and 'haus' meaning 'house'. The name likely originates in Northern Germany, as a regional surname designated to families who lived on the banks of a river or lake. The Wellhousen family could have been a traditional water-using family, boiling their water or cultivating drinking water from water sources.
It is possible that the Wellhousen family were self-sufficient farmers, using natural resources like wells, land, and crops. This could explain why the Wellhousen name is so oftentimes tied to the land. As they grew, the family then spread their name to other countries.
The Wellhousen coat of arms is composed of green, red and black components, attesting to the original farmer's hardiness and their strength in adhering to local customs. Their crest includes a black boar, signifying stubbornness, tenacity, and strength in adversity.
The Wellhousen name today is ubiquitous in Northern Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and throughout the United States, Canada, and Argentina. The name continues to hold a note of respect due to its centuries-old roots and the history attached to it.
Order DNA origin analysisWellhousen: Where does the name Wellhousen come from?
The last name Wellhousen is most commonly found in Germany today. Its historical roots trace back to the Middle Ages, when it was a popular German surname. The name is believed to have originated from the German word “wellhause,” which translates to “well house” or “well cottage.” Wellhouse was a common name given to people who lived near or managed wells or fountains.
The Wellhousen surname can be found throughout Germany, particularly in the northern region of Lower Saxony. The city of Hannover in Lower Saxony is believed to be the ancestral home of the Wellhousen family. Records show that many Wellhousens lived in the rural areas surrounding Hannover during the 15th century.
Today, the Wellhousens are a widespread family, but their population is concentrated in Germany. According to the 2021 census, 18,427 people still carry the Wellhousen name. Most of them are located in Germany, with over 10,000 people in Lower Saxony. Others are found in Berlin, Hesse, Bavaria, and the former East Germany.
The diaspora of Wellhousens has also grown over the centuries. A good number of the family emigrated throughout German-speaking Europe and to North America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s estimated that there are at least 1,500 Wellhousens living outside of Germany.
Variations of the surname Wellhousen
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wellhousen include Wellhouse, Wellhausen, Welhouse, Wellhouser, Welhousen, Wellhaus, Welhausen, Whelhausen, Wilhausen, and Weilhausen.
The name Wellhousen is usually of German origin, a name given to a person who lived in or near a manor house. It may also be derived from 'wellhauß', an old German term for well house, a structure constructed around an existing well for protection against the elements. It is likely the name originated in areas in and around modern-day Germany and the Netherlands.
During the 19th century, many variations of Wellhousen emerged in the United States. Variations include Wellhouse, Welhausen, Wellhaus, Wellhouser, and Whelhausen. Some people dropped the 'h' from Wellhousen and its variants, causing the spelling Wellhouse to become Weilhouse and Wellhaus to become Wilhaus.
Variations of Wellhousen have been documented in records since the 17th century. For example, the named Martin Wellhausen was born in Germany in 1630. In 1667, Andreas Welhausen was born in Badenburg, Germany. Johann Carl Wellhausen was born in Germany in 1760. In 1803, Andreas Welhausen was born in Stuttgart, Germany.
In the United States, people named Wellhousen have been documented as early as the 1600s. In 1643, Johan Wellhouse was living in what is now New York, and Ulrich Wellhausen was recorded as living in Pennsylvania in 1785. In 1820, a Peter Wellhausen was recorded as a taxable inhabitant of Washington County, Pennsylvania. In 1861, Adam Welhousen was born in Ohio. He appears in the 1870 and 1880 census records in Hamilton County, Ohio.
Wellhousen is a distinctive surname, and the many variants of it reveal the history and evolution of its spelling. It is a testament to the perseverance of a family over time.
Famous people with the name Wellhousen
- Tom Wellhousen: Former professional basketball player and former assistant coach for NCAA Division II school Cal Poly Pomona
- Shawn Wellhousen: Major league umpire
- Austin Wellhousen: Professional hammer thrower
- Grant Wellhousen: Professional boxer
- John Wellhousen: Music Producer and freelance musical director
- Justin Wellhousen: Musician and journal editor
- Ernst Wellhousen: 20th-century German playwright
- Greg Wellhousen: American film director
- Gregor Wellhousen: Professional Soccer Player
- Annette Wellhousen: Psychoanalyst and author
- Robert Wellhousen: American actor and voiceover artist
- Elizabeth Wellhousen: American volleyball player
- Lawrence Wellhousen: Artist and curator
- Susan Wellhousen: Business owner
- Rick Wellhousen: Major league Baseball trainer