Surname Wolters - Meaning and Origin

An iGENEA Revelation: Shattering the Stereotypes of Wolters' Ancestry

After discovering unexpected Asian Minor and Viking roots, and Jewish maternal lineage, through the iGENEA DNA test, the Wolters' family history narrative takes a turn from traditionally Dutch to a bewildering diversity of ancestries.

E. Wolters

Wolters: What does the surname Wolters mean?

Wolters is a surname of German and Dutch origin that is derived from the personal name "Walter," which is composed of the elements "wald," meaning rule, and "heri," meaning army. Thus, the name Walter, and subsequently Wolters, could be interpreted as meaning "ruler of the army." The addition of the "s" at the end of the name often denotes "son of," suggesting that the original bearers may have been sons of a man named Walter. As surnames became necessary for official records and taxation purposes, many were based on a patriarch's name, profession, or geographical location. Wolters also exists as a place name in Germany, indicating some families may have taken the name to associate themselves with that place. So, depending on the specific family history, the meaning of the surname Wolters can vary slightly.

Wolters: Where does the name Wolters come from?

The last name Wolters is found predominantly in western Germany, especially in the north-west. In the Netherlands, it is particularly common in the provinces of Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel and Groningen, and also in Flemish Belgium. It is the sixth most common surname in the Netherlands. In Germany it is most frequently encountered in the states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein. It is also found in France, Denmark and Norway, as well as in other European countries.

In the United States, Wolters is an uncommon name but is most common in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, especially in Illinois. It is present in many other parts of the country as well, including Texas, California, Minnesota, Arizona, and Colorado.

Wolters is also a common surname in Australia, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria. It is also found in New Zealand, where it is fairly well spread in various parts of the country.

The Wolters family may be of Anglo-Saxon or Dutch origin, although there is little information on the exact history of the surname. It could also refer to someone who worked in a field called “Wolters”, which is known to have been used as a term in the Netherlands in the early modern period.

Variations of the surname Wolters

The surname Wolters is derived from the Old German personal name Walter. This name is derived from the Germanic “wald” meaning “ruler” or “leader”. Variants of this surname include Walther, Walters, Woltz, Walz, Walzer, Waller, Volters, Valters, Völters, Volter, Valther, Valter, Volker, Walker, Voelters, Walkerz, Wollers and the Dutch versions of Wolter and Woltersen.

It is more commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands, but is also seen in pockets of England, Scotland and the United States. The spelling variants and surnames of Wolters come from Germany, mainly in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as other German-speaking areas such as Austria.

The variant spellings of this surname range from the original Walter to modern assimilations such as Ultra. This surname has been prominent in Europe since at least 11th-century Germany and continues to be seen in several countries today.

In Europe, many variants and spellings such as Walker and Valters are relatively popular. In the United States, modern assimilations like Voltz and Walters have become more common. Other interesting variants such as Voelters are seen in the Netherlands, while Walkerz and Walz are seen in the United Kingdom.

Despite its plethora of variants, the common root for the surname Wolters lands firmly in the Old Germanic roots of the Walter surname, which itself is an ode to the leaders of ancient history.

Famous people with the name Wolters

• Max Wolters: model and Instagram star
• Joshua Wolters: American film and television actor
• Noa Wolters: Dutch swimmer and European champion
• Jaap Wolters: Dutch sculptor and ceramist
• Tessa Wolters: Dutch rhythmic gymnast
• Rai Wolters: Dutch professional footballer
• Fred Wolters: Dutch track & field athlete
• Senne Wolters: Dutch contemporary artist
• Ivo Wolters: Dutch middle-distance runner
• Daphne Wolters: Dutch fashion designer

Other surnames

WolterWölterWolterinckWolteringWölteringWolterinkWölterkesWoltermannWoltersmannWoltery