The surname "Wolter" is of German origin and is derived from various places named Wölfer or Woltersdorf in Germany. The name is a toponymic surname, meaning it originally denoted residence near a place called Wölfer or Woltersdorf. The name is composed of the Old High German elements "wulf" meaning wolf and "hard" or "hof" meaning farmstead or courtyard. Thus, early bearers of this name may have lived near such a location. The spelling variations include Woldter, Volter, Wolter, and others, due to differences in transliteration and transcription over time.
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The surname Wolter is of German and Dutch origin, derived from the given name Walter. The name Walter itself comes from the Old High German 'Walahaz' meaning "foreign ruler" or "stranger ruler", composed of the elements 'walh' (stranger, foreigner) and 'hari' (army, ruler). The surname Wolter represents a nickname for someone who was thought to resemble a person named Walter, or someone who came from a place where many Waltners lived. In its various forms such as Woulters, Wolters, or Voulters, it is a common surname in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
The surname Wolter has a notable presence primarily in Germany and its neighboring regions, reflecting its Germanic origins. According to various genealogical databases, it is most frequently found in the northern states of Germany such as Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The surname also appears with significant frequency in Austria and Switzerland due to historical connections with Germany. Outside Europe, the distribution of the Wolter surname extends to countries where German immigrants have settled, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America. In the U.S., the highest concentrations are found in states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, areas that were traditionally populated by German immigrants.
The surname Wolter can exhibit several variations and spelling alterations due to differences in regional pronunciation, transcription errors, and family lineage. Some common variants include Waltar, Waltier, Waltner, Walther, Wulfert, Wolterre, Volter, Voltar, and Vollert. These variations may stem from slight changes in pronunciation over time or the influence of different languages. In addition, some individuals may have altered their surnames for various reasons such as assimilation, migration, or personal preference, which can lead to further variants. It's important to note that these variations do not necessarily indicate distinct familial relationships; they often represent branches within the same ancestral line.
Notable individuals with the surname Wolter include:
1. John T. Wolter (born 1937), an American Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Bishop of Wichita from 1994 to 2014.
2. Jürgen Wolter (born 1950), a German mathematician known for his work in algebraic geometry and mathematical logic.
3. Karl-Heinz Wolter (1930-2006), a German football goalkeeper who played for clubs such as Werder Bremen and the West Germany national team.
4. John Wolter, an American jazz trombonist who performed with bands led by Woody Herman and Gerry Mulligan.
5. Jörg Wolter (born 1962), a German politician from the Social Democratic Party who served as a member of the Bundestag from 1998 to 2013.
The surname Wolter is of German origin, derived from the medieval given name Walther, which means "rule of the army" in Old High German. The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages due to the prevalence of Saint Walburga and other saints named Walther. The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the 13th century in Germany.
Emigrants bearing the Wolter surname arrived in North America throughout the 1800s, with a significant number settling in the United States. Some early American immigrants include Christian Wolter, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1732, and Johannes Wolter, who arrived in Maryland in 1665.
In Canada, the name became prevalent among German Mennonite settlers in Ontario and Manitoba in the late 1800s. Notable individuals with the surname Wolter include American author Ann Wolbert Burgess and Dutch artist Marinus Adrianus Wolter, known for his contributions to impressionist painting. The Wolter surname is currently most common in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United States.
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