Surname Welz - Meaning and Origin
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J. Welz
read moreWelz: What does the surname Welz mean?
The last name Welz is of Germanic origin, and is usually found throughout Europe. It is an occupational name, derived from the Old German word “welz,” which stands for “blacksmith.” In the past, some of the earliest bearers of the name Welz worked as smiths, manufacturers of arms, and metalworkers. This surname is common to the areas of Southern Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Switzerland.
The surname Welz is thought to have first been used as a patronymic, meaning the individual who took the name was a son of a blacksmith. The surname was not derived directly from the word, however, as it was often modified to fit the various languages spoken in Europe at the time.
Variations of the surname Welz include: Welzer, Weils, Weilz, Weilzinger, Welser, Welscher, Welzinger, and Wils. Over time, the spelling of the name has been modified, and some may still spell it differently than others in their own family or community.
Although the surname Welz is widely used in Europe, it is not very common in the United States, where it has only been recorded a handful of times in the past 400 years. Some of these instances may even refer to immigrants from Europe who kept the surname upon settling in America.
Order DNA origin analysisWelz: Where does the name Welz come from?
The surname Welz is most common today in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a toponymic surname derived from the German word 'welz' meaning 'forest' or 'woods'. This surname is particularly prevalent in the northern German regions, especially in Baden-Württemberg, where one in every 1000 people bear this name, and Bavaria. This name also appears to be popular in Luxembourg, with one in every 2300 people having the surname.
In the United States, the surname Welz is less common. It is more prevalent in the Midwest and Northeast, particularly Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Pennsylvania. In England, the surname is fairly uncommon but is found mainly in the counties of Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Leicestershire.
Welz is also found in France, particularly in the Northeastern region, the Netherlands, and South Africa. In Australia, it is a common surname amongst German-Australians, particularly in the regions of Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.
The surname Welz may also be of Jewish origin, derived from the ancient Hebrew name Elizur, meaning 'God is my rock'. In this case, the surname is found most prevalently in Eastern European Jewish communities.
Variations of the surname Welz
The surname Welz is a German and Austrian surname derived from the Middle High German word welz meaning “foreign” as a metonymic occupational nickname for a stranger or traveler. It is found mainly in Central and Eastern Europe.
Some variants and spellings of Welz include Wels, Welzt, Welts, Waeltz, Waeltly, Weyltz, Wezl, Weelz, Węźl, Wealz, Weelzt, Weelzto, Wezlt, Weetze, Velts, Velyz, Vaelz, Velz, Wellz, Welinto, Welinto, Weltz, Weltse, Weltso, Wellto and many more. In some cases, Welz may be combined with other elements, such as von Welz, de Welz, Welz-Linhart, Welz-Fenner and Welz-Martincic.
Surnames of similar origin, meaning “foreign” include Walch, Welscher, Welser and Welck.
The modern surname is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the United States, Canada and the Philippines.
Famous people with the name Welz
- Joe Welz: Former president and CEO of Playboy Enterprises.
- Benjamin Welz: Cultural journalist, author, director, and actor.
- Simon Welz: German entrepreneur and founder of several renowned records labels.
- Daniel Welz: German footballer.
- June Welz: American abstract painter.
- Walter Welz: Austrian skier and bronze medalist.
- Roger Welz: Swiss actor and voice actor.
- Anja Welz: German actress and singer.
- Marshall Welz: American economist and author of “Capitalism and Freedom”.
- James Welz: American journalist, author, and political activist.