Surname Wöldering - Meaning and Origin
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Wöldering: What does the surname Wöldering mean?
The German surname Wöldering is derived from the Old Germanic personal name Wilderinga, meaning “alien” or “stranger.” The surname emerged in the 16th century, when hereditary surnames began to be adopted in Germany. At this time, the suffix “-ing” was added to the first name, allowing the creation of family-specific surnames.
The pronunciation “Wöldering” represents the common spelling in German, and is pronounced “Voulder-ing”. The complete name follows the German pattern: the surname is placed last.
The surname Wöldering is rare in the United States, although it is relatively common in the western German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamburg, and Lower Saxony, where there are several hundred occurrences. It is noted most often in the cities of Dortmund and Paderborn.
There is a diverse range of origins and cultural backgrounds associated with the surname Wöldering. Today, it is believed to mostly originate from northern Germany, with some also persisting in the south-eastern parts of the country.
The Wöldering family is known to be of humble beginnings, though the specific details have been hard to track down. Some stories evoke a time of struggle and perseverance, while others suggest that the Wöldering’s were a prosperous family which once held a high social status.
Overall, the last name Wöldering represents a long and diverse history of German heritage and culture, and a reflection of the early inheritance regulations that brought hereditary surnames to Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisWöldering: Where does the name Wöldering come from?
The last name Wöldering is most commonly seen today in the Netherlands and Germany. In the Netherlands, the name primarily appears in the province of Overijssel along the Oost-Vecht river, where the municipalities of Hardenberg, Hellendoorn, and Olst-Wijhe are all known to have had Wöldering families in past centuries. In Germany, there are also known instances of the last name, particularly around the regions of Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Research has shown that the literal translation of Wöldering is "government of the forest," most likely referring to a place within a larger community that had some special apiece of land set aside as a hunting reserve. This type of designated area would have been overseen by one or more people, in which case a form of the name Wöldering could have been used as a form of honorific title to describe the position.
The last name would have also likely been adopted over time by ordinary folks living close to the area, either as an indication of their roots or as a way of expressing their loyalty to the designated government of the forest.
Given the longevity of the last name as well as its specific location-based origin, it is reasonable to assume that there are still many individuals and groups carrying the Wöldering name today. With a little luck and effort, it is possible to locate and connect with people from the Netherlands and Germany who may possess potentially unknown insights on the origin and continuing legacy of the name.
Variations of the surname Wöldering
The surname Wöldering has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Waldring, Waldrung, Waldering, Walduring, Walduringer, Waldurng, and Wildering. These different forms are mainly the result of phonetic changes in how a surnames was pronounced after its adoption. This was prevalent in the 19th century general period of when surnames were more regularly adopted in Europe.
The surname Wöldering likely originated from the German word Wöldern, which means ‘woodsman’. This name was likely adopted by someone who lived and worked in the woods or was employed as a woodsman. It is possible that the suffix -ing could indicate that the person carrying this name was a son or descendant of another woodsman.
The variant spellings and surnames of Wöldering are not necessarily related to each other, and their respective roots may have different origins. Other German variations of this surname include Walderner, Waldhäuser, Waldmann, Waldschmidt, Walther, Welder, and Walthers. These variations were likely the result of different regional dialects of German being spoken in different areas.
It is possible that the surname Wöldering was also adopted as a result of emigration throughout Europe and the wider world, with a variety of spellings adapting to the spoken language of the settling family.
In conclusion, the surname Wöldering has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, likely originating from the German word Wöldern meaning ‘woodsman’. These different forms are mainly the result of phonetic changes and regional dialects, and are not necessarily related to eachother.
Famous people with the name Wöldering
- Ryan Wöldering: Professional soccer player
- Christina Wöldering: Abstract artist
- Bauke Wöldering: Professional tennis player
- Menno Wöldering: Jazz musician
- Sjoerd Wöldering- Chemist and former professor
- Frieda Wöldering: Nazi-era filmmaker
- Robert Wöldering: German Actor
- Desiree Wöldering: Figure skater
- Geertje Wöldering: Dutch operatic soprano
- Marja Wöldering: Archaeologist and lecturer
- Jan Wöldering: Dutch professional cyclist
- René Wöldering: Dutch freestyle swimmer
- Sjaak Wöldering: Dutch Olympic swimmer
- Willem Wöldering: Footballer and coach
- Mira Wöldering: World Champion show jumper
- Ludo Wöldering: Dutch professional swimmer
- Johan Wöldering: Dutch Olympic fencer
- Marjan Wöldering: Former figure skater and author
- Sara Wöldering: Van Gogh Museum Teen Advisor
- Arietta Wöldering: Musical theatre actress