Message: "etymology of the surname 'wellwein'"

etymology of the surname 'wellwein'

by Andrea (guest)

6/21/2008, 7:10 AM

Hi,

I am researching my family tree and came across 'wellwein' as the maiden surname of one grandma. I thought my grandma was of French ancestry but this surname looks to be of Germanic origin. I would be very grateful if someone could clarify its etymology for me.

Regards
Andrea

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- Andy ;—) (guest) +2

6/21/2008, 2:18 PM

The name looks pretty German - but there is not a single WELLWEIN in the German phone directory. This surprises me.

There are a few possible explanations for WELL, WEIN means "wine" or can be a variant of WIN (more likely). I checked my Förstemann, and there is no WILLWIN documented (probably because of the sound).

Any other ideas?

- Jim Young (guest) +1

6/22/2008, 6:57 AM

There are English surnames, Walwyn, Walvin, et al., which derive from an Old English given name, Wealdwine (?), which is made up of Old English words meaning "power" and "friend". The question is - was there a German word for friend like the Anglo-Saxon WIN?
I note that there is a German surname, Wallewein, which could be the forerunner of Wellwein.
Re the possible French origin, the people of Alsace usually have German surnames.

- Andy ;—) (guest)

6/22/2008, 12:59 PM

I hadn't thought of WALTAN + WIN, but this seems to be a possible solution. Förstemann lists one WALDWIN (8th century).

There are 40 hits (> some 60 persons) for WALLEWEIN and 1 for WALLWEIN in Germany. It still strikes me that there is not a single WELLWEIN.

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