Surname Westerheide - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Westerheide: What does the surname Westerheide mean?
The last name Westerheide is of German origin and is derived from the words "west" and "heide" which translate to "west meadow or heath". This indicates that the family originally came from an area on the western edge of a meadow or heath. The name may have been given to one ancestor from that area, or it may have been adopted by an ancestor who moved to that area.
In German, the name Westerheide can also be taken to mean "west edge", as it comes from the same words ("west" and "heide") but with an extra "-e" on the end of "heide". This suggests that the family may have originally lived on the western edge of a meadow or heath.
The surname Westerheide was fairly common in some parts of Germany during the 18th and 19th centuries, and it has since spread to other countries such as the United States, where it can be found as a surname among families of German descent.
The name itself is likely to bring to mind images of the idyllic German countryside, with its rolling meadows, lush heathlands, and tranquil atmosphere. For anyone who has a connection to the name Westerheide, it can be a reminder of a shared German heritage and the special beauty of the homeland.
Order DNA origin analysisWesterheide: Where does the name Westerheide come from?
The Westerheide surname is primarily found in Germany and the Netherlands. According to the World Names Public Profiler, the highest concentration of Westerheide can be found in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Bavaria. In the Netherlands, the surname can be found primarily in North Holland and Gelderland.
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the Westerheide name is most common in smaller towns and cities located along the Ruhr River. In Lower Saxony, the Westerheide surname is concentrated in the area near the Ems river, particularly in and around the city of Oldenburg, which is located on the edge of the Wadden Sea. In Bavaria, the surname is most prevalent in northern Bavarian towns such as Neuburg an der Donau, Herzogenaurach, and Arzberg.
In the Netherlands, the Westerheide surname is most common in the province of North Holland and is particularly concentrated around the cities of Leiderdorp, Zwijndrecht and Leidschendam. In addition, a large number of people with this surname are living in the province of Gelderland, primarily in the cities of Zaltbommel, Nijmegen, and Doetinchem.
The Westerheide name has also spread to other parts of Europe and to North America, with immigrants settling in the U.S. and Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Therefore, while the Westerheide surname is most common in Germany and the Netherlands, it can be found in countries around the globe.
Variations of the surname Westerheide
There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Westerheide. The most common one is Westerheide, while other variants include Westereheide, Westerhade, Westehaid, Westerhaide, Westerhaid, Westereide, Westerehd, Westerhaidt and Westerehdt. In some regions Westerheide can also be written as “Westerehd” or “Westereide”.
The North German spelling of Westerheide is Westhaid or Westehaid. The Dutch version is Westerhade, Westerhaid or Westerhaide. In Austria, Westerheide is commonly written as Westerhaidt or Westerehdt.
The origin of the Westerheide family name is believed to be Dutch, from the region of Skandinavia. This would explain the variations in spelling – the North German version being derived from German, the Dutch version from Dutch and the Austrian version from Austro-Bavarian.
Some of the other surnames that could be of a similar origin to Westerheide are: Wästerhäuser, Wetterhäuser, Westhöuser, Westhausen, Westheuser and Westhäuser.
The most likely way to trace the origin of any surname is to use a genealogical website, such as Ancestry.com. There you can look up the demographics and historical information on the family origins, including any surnames related to Westerheide.
Overall, there are many different variants, spellings and surnames that can be linked back to the Westerheide family name, and it is likely that there will be more variants and spellings out there. It will take some research to determine the exact family origin, but with some hard work the origins of the surname can be found!
Famous people with the name Westerheide
- Dennis Westerheide: German biathlete and multiple time World Cup medalist.
- Mauricio Westerheide: Argentinian fencing champion and Olympic medalist in foil.
- Hugo Westerheide: Dutch penalty kick legend and soccer player for teams such as FC Twente and Ajax Amsterdam.
- Marlies Westerheide: German track and field athlete and four-time world record holder.
- Sophia Westerheide: American TV soap actress best known for her roles in "Frequency" and "Remember Me".
- Yvonne Westerheide: Dutch professional cyclist and competitive mountain bike racer.
- Eveline Westerheide: Belgian synchronized swimmer and eight-time national champion.
- Jeff Westerheide: American chef and restaurateur behind the popular seafood-focused eatery "Westgate".
- Anja Westerheide: German attorney and expert in computer forensics.
- Erich Westerheide: German singer and contestant on "Deutschland sucht den Superstar".