Wahler History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The German surname Wahler emerged in the lands that formed the modern state of Lower Saxony, which is presently bordered by the North Sea, the Hartz mountains and the Elbe and Ems rivers. Lower Saxony was previously a medieval Saxon dukedom. In the Middle Ages, many of the Saxon lands were a part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was characterized by the Feudal System. Before this era, people were known only by a single name. However, as the population increased and travelers set out on their journeys, it became necessary for people to adopt a second name to identify themselves. Many people, such as the Wahler family, adopted the name of their feudal occupation as their surname. However, an occupational name did not become a hereditary surname until the office or type of employment became hereditary. The surname Wahler was an occupational name for an elector. In medieval Germany, electors were the ecclesiastical and temporal princes who elected the Holy Roman Emperor. Ancient records reveal the name Wahler is derived from the Old German word wala, which means choice.

Early Origins of the Wahler family

The surname Wahler was first found in Oldenburg, where the name emerged in mediaeval times as one of the prominent families of these regions. From the 13th century on the surname was identified with the great social and economic evolution which made this territory a landmark contributor to the development of the Prussian nation.

Chronicles first mention J. Wale of Greifswald, Pomerania in 1322 and Gerd Waler of Anklam in 1406, but the oldest branches of the family are mentioned as having their seat in Oldenburg and even earlier in nearby Doetlingen.

Early History of the Wahler family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wahler research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1541, 1587, 1617 and 1753 are included under the topic Early Wahler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wahler Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wahle, Wahlen, Wahler, Wahls, Wahlers, Waler and many more.

Early Notables of the Wahler family

Notables of the time included

Johann Andreas Wahler, economic advisor at the courts of Bamberg and Wuerzburg, who was ennobled in 1753 in reward for his outstanding service

Wahler migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wahler Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Anton Wahler, aged 1, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893

Wahler Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alexis Wahler, who settled in America, in 1903
Carl J. Wahler, aged 42, who landed in America, in 1905
Charles Wahler, aged 10, who immigrated to the United States from Vienna, Austria, in 1907
Claus Wahler, aged 22, who landed in America from Hannonr, Germany, in 1907
Bernard Wahler, aged 52, who immigrated to America from Stanislaw, Austria, in 1907
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Wahler (post 1700) +

James Joseph Wahler (b. 1966), former American NFL football defensive lineman
Marc-Olivier Wahler (b. 1964), Swiss independent curator and writer, current Director of Chalet Society