Surname Vatthauer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Vatthauer: What does the surname Vatthauer mean?
The surname Vatthauer, also spelled Vetthauer, is of German origin. It is a habitational name derived from a place named with the Old High German elements "wazzar" (lake) or "fadar" (trough) and "hauh" (knoll, hill), or from the Old German elements "fotin" (foot) and "hauh" (hill). The surname was first used by someone who lived in such a locale, and it may also have been habitational for someone from Vatthau, near Breslau.
Vatthauer is a rare name, and is generally found mainly in Germany today, although there are some people with the surname living in the United States. Most of the people who bear this surname are descended from immigrants from Germany who came to the US in the 19th and 20th centuries.
In traditional German culture, the family name always carries a certain amount of respect and prestige. Individuals who bear the last name Vatthauer can be proud to carry on a tradition that is centuries old and steeped in the history and culture of their home country.
Order DNA origin analysisVatthauer: Where does the name Vatthauer come from?
The last name Vatthauer is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the southern regions, including a high concentration in Bavaria. There are also smaller populations of Vatthauers in Austria, Luxembourg, and Italy. Records indicate that this German surname has been around since at least the 16th century. It is derived from the word "vatter," meaning "father," which suggests that many people with the last name Vatthauer are descendants from common ancestor.
The last name Vatthauer is also found in the United States. Many immigrants with this name settled in the Midwest and Appalachia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when millions of people emigrated from Europe to America. Today, Vatthauers can be found across the United States, particularly in states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and New York. The surname also appears in other parts of the world, including Canada, South Africa, and Serbia.
Although the name is rare, a few well-known people share the last name Vatthauer. German sculptor Gotthilf Vatthauer, who lived during the early 19th century, was known for his woodcarvings and portraits. Modern American painter and woodworker Marcella Vatthauer is also from a Vatthauer family.
Overall, the last name Vatthauer is not as common as it once was, but it still appears in many countries around the world. It is likely to remain a part of the international landscape for years to come.
Variations of the surname Vatthauer
The surname Vatthauer has many variants in spelling and surnames of the same origin. These include the spelling variants Vathauer, Vatthauer, Vathauer, and Vathour. In some cases, the spelling ‘Vatthauer’ may be used interchangeably with ‘Watthauer’.
Surnames of the same origin include Vatthauer, Walthauer, Wattauer, Walteauer, Vadthauer, Vadteauer, Walthendorfer, Wahlthour, Walkauer, Walthefer, Waltehaller, Forstner, Furster, and Vorster, among others. These surnames are drawn from origins in Bavaria and Austria.
The surname Vatthauer is derived from a Middle High German nickname, derived from the words “vatte”, meaning ‘watchman’, and “hauer”, meaning ‘hoe’. This nickname would have historically been given to those who tended to watch over a garden or field, or to those who work with a pickaxe or hoe. Additionally, the florid form, Bavarian dialect “Wahtther”, may be used as a substitute for “ Watthauer”.
As a result of its Bavarian and Austrian origins, the surname Vatthauer can also be encountered in spellings with a ‘W’ prefix, such as Watthauer and Waltthauer, among others. In these spellings, some find an alternate version of the same name, though Sinclair Vatthauer notes the spelling Watthauer as being “rare.”
All in all, the surname Vatthauer has many variants in spelling and surnames of the same origin, as well as many spelling variations and dialectal forms. It is believed to have originated as a Middle High German nickname, given to individuals who worked or watched over the land. It is now encountered in many European countries, where it is still used as a surname, as well as in France, the United States, and Canada.
Famous people with the name Vatthauer
- Hank Vatthauer, American actor and graphic designer
- Marcus Vatthauer, German physicist
- Joanne Vatthauer, former mayor of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada
- Elisabeth Vatthauer, German television host
- Shannon Vatthauer, American author and expert of organizational development
- Frank Vatthauer, Austrian alpine skier
- Emmalyne Vatthauer, American rapper
- Adam Vatthauer, American attorney and corporate executive
- Andy Vatthauer, former college football player
- Raymond Vatthauer, American football player and coach