Althouse History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsAlthouse is a local name from the German region of Westphalia. Local names came to Germany with other types of hereditary surnames after the 12th century. They were derived from the name of the place where the original bearer of the name lived. Sometimes local names bear the prefix "von", meaning "of" or "from". It was an indication of land-ownership, and was sometimes taken as a mark of aristocracy. The family originally lived in an ancient dwelling or a very old house. The name Althouse is derived from the German words alt, which means old, and haus, which means house. There is also a place in Germany called Althaus and thus, this surname may have been given to a person that was from this town. Early Origins of the Althouse familyThe surname Althouse was first found in Muensterland, Westphalia, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power. Chronicles first mention Conradus de Oldenhus, a family in Muenster, in 1353. Early History of the Althouse familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Althouse research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1556 and 1637 are included under the topic Early Althouse History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Althouse Spelling VariationsMany cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Althouse include Althaus, Althausen, Althous, Althousen, Althouse, Althausens, Althaussen, Althusen, Althussen, Oldehus, Oldenhus, Alshaus, Allshouse, Allshaus, Althuyzer, Althäuser and many more. Early Notables of the Althouse familyMore information is included under the topic Early Althouse Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
After 1650, thousands of German settlers came to North America to escape the religious persecution and poverty that wracked Europe and to make the most of the opportunity to own their own land in a new country. They settled across the United States in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California, and in Canada in Ontario and on the fertile plains of the prairie provinces. Among them: Althouse Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Althouse Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Althouse Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
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