Surname Werthan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Werthan: What does the surname Werthan mean?
The last name Werthan originates from an old Germanic word meaning 'protection'. It is believed to be from the Germanic elements 'wert' meaning 'protection' and 'than', meaning 'to defend'. The name belongs to the large geographical group of surnames that were derived from place-names. It is believed that many of these families originated in the Rhineland area of Germany and later moved to other parts of the country.
The surname Werthan is found predominantly in Germany, with occasional instances of presence in Austria, Switzerland and the United States. The earliest recorded example of the surname dates back to 1262, when Wernerus de Werdan was noted as a witness for a charter of donation.
While the meaning of the name has remained unchanged, the spelling of the name has evolved over the centuries. During the Middle Ages, people often spelled the same name differently depending on their regional dialect. Examples of the variations of the name include Warthen, Werthin, Werden, and Wirden.
The surname Werthan is seen as a badge of distinction and of ancestry that has stood the test of time. Families of this name have dedicated themselves to upholding the principles of protection, defensiveness, hospitality and honor. These are the qualities that come to mind when one thinks of the Werthan name, and should be viewed as a source of pride throughout generations.
Order DNA origin analysisWerthan: Where does the name Werthan come from?
The last name Werthan is most commonly found in Germany today. This is likely due to the fact that, historically, the Werthan surname originates from the German language. It is a combination of two words, “Wer”, meaning “war”, and “than” which means “power”. This combination gives the surname its meaning - “the mighty warrior”. By this definition, this surname was likely given to those individuals in the past who were brave and powerful warriors, signifying the honor and legacy of this last name.
Other areas where the Werthan surname can be found today is in Israel, the Netherlands, and the United States of America. Looking at the surname’s usage in these countries, one can see that the surname followed German emigrants who chose to seek a new life in these distant lands. Today, many Americans and Canadians with the surname Werthan are of German descent.
In addition to these four countries, Werthan families have also been found in historical documents such as birth and marriage records in France, the Czech Republic, and Austria. As the World wide web continues to connect us all, it is likely that this surname will be found in many other countries around the world as well.
Variations of the surname Werthan
The variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Werthan include Werthaner, Workman, Werthmann, Uehrthman, Vertman, Vertmann, Verthman, Wirtman, Wirthman, and Wertman.
Werthaner is the original spelling of the surname and likely originates from the town of Werth, located in Germany. This variant of the surname probably originated as a toponymic surname, or surname that is derived from a geographical location. The spelling Workman likely originated as an occupational surname, referring to a person who was a workman. This suggests the family may have had experience or success in the trades.
The other variants of the surname, such as Uehrthman, Vertman, and Vertmann, likely originated as spelling variations or as the result of dialectical differences in German dialects of the past. This is a common phenomenon in German surnames and likely happened to the Werthan surname. Similarly, Wirtman, Wirthman, and Wertman likely originated as variations or alternations of the original spelling Werthaner.
Ultimately, the surname Werthan likely came from the town Werth in Germany. This can be seen in the original spelling of Werthaner and alternations of this spelling gives us the variants used today.
Famous people with the name Werthan
- Marc Werthan: Marc Werthan is a former professional American football player who was a guard in the NFL from 1962 to 1971. He played college football at the University of Tennessee and was drafted in the 19th round of the 1962 NFL draft.
- Emanuel Werthan: Emanuel Werthan was a German-born American industrialist who was a major manufacturer of leather goods in Nashville, Tennessee. He was also a philanthropist and helped create the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, an organization that provides care to disadvantaged children.
- Jakob Carl Werthan: Jakob Carl Werthan was a German-born American-Jewish businessman, producer, and philanthropist. He was involved in the movie industry and was instrumental in the development of the Technicolor-process film.
- Ralf Werthan: Ralf Werthan is a German-born American business executive and philanthropist. He is the former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Hercules Inc., an international chemical and manufacturing company, and also served on a number of charitable foundations and organizations.
- Enok Werthan: Enok Werthan was a Norwegian American soldier who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War II. He was one of the several thousand Norwegians of Jewish heritage who volunteered to serve in the United States Forces during the war.