Surname Wölterkes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wölterkes: What does the surname Wölterkes mean?
The surname Wölterkes is of Germanic origin, originating from the German region of Westerwald. The literal meaning of the name is “a guardian of the woods” with "Wölter" coming from the old Germanic word for “wood” and "kes" being a diminutive or added suffix.
The first known records of the surname date back to the 1700s, when Johann Friedrich Wölterkes is documented as living in the town of Mogendorf in the Westerwald region. Since then, the Wölterkes name has spread over the centuries, to various towns and regions throughout Germany.
In the 1800s, many Wölterkes emigrated to America, with some settling in states such as New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. In the early 20th century, many Wölterkes families settled in Canada, with the highest rate of Wölterkes residing in the province of Ontario.
Today it is estimated that there are over 1,300 people living in the United States and over 400 more living in Canada who bear the surname Wölterkes. The largest cluster of Wölterkes in the United States is located in Wisconsin, where, according to the US Census Bureau, the highest concentration of this surname resides.
Though the exact origin of the Wölterkes name is unclear, it most likely originated as a symbolic reference to an individual's role as a protector of the forests. Over the centuries, the Wölterkes surname has been passed down from generation to generation, and though it is no longer closely associated with the same roles and responsibilities as its origin, the name continues to be a part of many families’ legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisWölterkes: Where does the name Wölterkes come from?
The last name Wölterkes is most commonly found in Germany. It is a relatively rare name, with fewer than 700 people with this name living in the country.
The highest concentration of Wölterkes in Germany is in the northern state of Lower Saxony. About 75 percent of people with this surname live in this region.
Within Lower Saxony, Wölterkes are most common in the region known as the Emsland. This is an area located in the very northwest of the state. Here, around 40 percent of this name can be found. It is thought that this is the traditional homeland for the Wölterkes family, as this is where their earliest ancestors lived.
Notably, people with this surname can also be found in other parts of Europe. This is primarily due to migration from the Emsland region. Smaller numbers of Wölterkes can also be found in countries such as the Netherlands and France.
Overall, this is a relatively rare surname and there are only a few hundred people in the world with it. It is most common in the German state of Lower Saxony, and specifically, in the Emsland region. While there are a small number of people with this surname living outside of Germany, these are generally descendants of those from the original Emsland settlement.
Variations of the surname Wölterkes
The surname Wölterkes has multiple variants and spellings, and is most commonly seen as Welterkes. It is also sometimes spelled as wolterkes, Welterke or Welterker, and may also be seen as Wouterkes, Wolterke, Wolterker, and Wouterke.
Wölterkes is a Low German derived patronymic surname originating from the ancient Germanic language. It is a combination of two different elements of language; ‘walt’ which means power or might, and ‘hark’ which means army. This is often translated to mean ‘army power’.
Variants of this name include Völterkes, Völterks, Wölters, Wöltz, welters, Wöltere, Woelters, Wölterke, and Wölterskirchen. The Welsh version of this name is Welford, while the French version is Waurick or Waverick.
The name can also be spelled in various ways, such as Valters, Welter, tele, weller, Woelfer, weltzer, walfard, welder, welker, walke, welchnan, and woller.
Surnames within the same origin are Vanderwalt, Woldt, Weletter, Wollert, Wulterkise, Wolderbos, Woltjer, Wilterman, Waldner, Walters, Wiehler, and Weiler.
Famous people with the name Wölterkes
- Philipp Wölterkes: He is a German actor and comedian who is best known for his works in films such as Alles Steht Kopf, Stonehenge Apocalypse, and Suck Me Shakespeer 2.
- Antonio Wölterkes: A professional German boxer, Antonio Wölterkes rose to fame when he signed with the Koolman Promotion in 2013.
- Alexander Wölterkes: Born in 1981, Alexander Wölterkes is a German football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of VfL Bochum II.
- Markus Wölterkes: Markus Wölterkes is a German doctor who is best known for his groundbreaking researches and writings on neuroscience and Mediterranean food.
- Henri Wölterkes: Born in 1895, Henri Wölterkes is a noted artist from Germany. He is best known for his abstract landscape oil paintings, which were considered revolutionary during its time.
- Ludwig Wölterkes: A noted German architect, Ludwig Wölterkes specialized in the Art Nouveau style. He is best known for his works in the cities of Cologne and Aachen.
- Dieter Wölterkes: Dieter Wölterkes is a German businessman who is best known for his involvement in the retail industry. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Berlin-based Phantasialand group.
- Karl Wölterkes: Karl Wölterkes is an Austrian chess grandmaster. He has earned the International Grandmaster title in 1973, making him the first grandmaster from Vienna.
- Johannes Wölterkes: Johannes Wölterkes is a German musician and songwriter who is best known for his works in the 1960s and 70s. He is well-known for his popular jazz standards, such as "Swinging in the Snow" and "Jeepers Creepers".
- Petra Wölterkes: A German actress, Petra Wölterkes is best known for her minor roles in films such as Bionicle 2 and Equilibrium. She has also appeared in several television shows, such as Schlag den Raab and Let's Dance.