Surname Walz - Meaning and Origin
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read moreWalz: What does the surname Walz mean?
The surname Walz is of German origin and derives from the Old German word walzan or walzen, which means to roll. The name was originally given to individuals whose profession involved rolling, such as rolling leather into drums, rolling wheels or rolling dough into pastry shapes. It is likely that it was first used as an occupational surname, as the practice of hereditary surnames arose in Germany during the 12th century.
The surname Walz is recorded in various church documents throughout Germany, beginning in 1345 in the city of Magdeburg in Saxony-Anhalt. Over the centuries the name has been spelled variations including Walz, Walzendorf, Walzer, Wallzer and Walzenbach throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Today there are many people with the surname Walz throughout Germany, Austria and throughout the world. It is likely that many of these individuals descend from the same ancestor who adopted the surname hundreds of years ago. The name Walz can be found in the United States, Britain and Canada, as well as in countries across Europe and elsewhere in the world.
The family name Walz tends to be associated with a restless and ambitious spirit. It is believed that the original bearer of the surname was a determined individual who believed in their capabilities and reached for success. It is also believed that the name Walz can be traced back to being carried by a person of Viking ancestry, leading to a sense of exploration and a love of travel shared by many modern Walzes.
Order DNA origin analysisWalz: Where does the name Walz come from?
The last name Walz is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. It is thought to have originated from the Latin word "walz", which translates to "roll" or "move". The name became particularly popular in the Middle Ages and was most likely given to somebody who was probably a professional stone mason. In fact, the word "Walz" is still used in the building trade today in parts of Germany and Austria to describe the process of laying large paving stones.
The name Walz has become popular in many parts of the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Australia, as a result of German and Austrian immigrants. In 2020, it was the 1,122nd most popular surname in the United States with over 6,200 people carrying the name. In Canada, it ranks much lower at 3773rd overall, with less than 1,000 people. In Australia, the name Walz was the 6,113th most common surname in 2020, with over 1,000 people carrying the name.
The name "Walz" has also been adopted by some families that have immigrated to other parts of the world, such as South America and parts of Asia. The variation of the surname is common in many countries even today with some, such as parts of eastern Europe, adding an āsā suffix to the end of the name, such as Walzs.
Variations of the surname Walz
The surname Walz usually originates from German-speaking countries. It is an occupational or habitational name referring to someone who lived near or worked in a valley, from Middle High German welz. Variants of this surname include Walz, Wallz, Walts, Walcz, Walczak, and Welsh.
In German, Walz is usually pronounced as Vawlz and is also written as Valtz, Vawtz or Woltz. There are also spelling variations including Valdz, Vawlz, Waelz and Walltz.
In Austria, surnames derived from Walz include Walzer, Walzeisen, Wallzeisen, Wallzer, Waelzer, Waelzeisen, Woltzes and Woltzeseisen. In Bohemia, the original form of Walz was Valtz, and variants include Valtc and Valtzscheck. In German Prussia, the variants are Wolz, Wetz, and Walzick.
In the United States, there are many spellings used for the Walz surname, such as Wallz, Walze, Welch, Whelz, Walz, Welz, Wahlz, Walth, Woltz and Woltzsch.
In Austria, the Walz surname also gave rise to several derivatives, such as Walzheimer, Walzendreher and Walzelbinder. In Germany, its variants include Walzech, Walzelt and Walzheimer. In the Netherlands, variants include Walzer, Walzger, Walzgenger and Walzak.
It is also possible that the English version of the Walz surname may have come from Wales. In this case, variant spellings may be Walsh, Walshe, Walish and Walishka. Similarly, a Scottish variation of Walz is Walsh.
Famous people with the name Walz
- Rob Walz, former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives
- Todd Walz, music producer and guitarist
- Mike Walz, professional poker player
- Garry Walz, former President of Wanzek Construction
- Jeff Walz, former Head Basketball Coach at University of Louisville
- Laura Walz, professional ballroom dancer
- Matthew Walz, reporter and weather anchor for CBS 2 in Chicago
- Jack Walz, former NFL defensive back
- Diane Walz, former Miss California (1978)
- Reid Walz, former College Hockey player
- Wendy E. Walz, former United States Ambassador to Senegal
- Dean Walz, former professional basketball player
- Dorothy Walz, former head of the Children's Bureau
- Eric Walz, former professional soccer midfielder
- Werner Walz, former German ski jumper
- Walter Walz, former Austrian ski jumper
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Comments or additions to the name "Walz"
06.08.2024
Add Tim Walz, Governor of MN and presumptive Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States.