The name Waldenheim comes from the German region of Westphalia. The tradition of adopting hereditary surnames came to Germany after the 12th century, and the names of places where people lived were a primary source. Many local names carry the prefix "von", meaning "of" or "from". It originally indicated land ownership, and is sometimes a mark of nobility. The Waldenheim family originally lived near a forest. The name Waldenheim is derived from the Germanic word wald, which meant forest and the Old German word heim, which means settlement or homestead.
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Early Origins of the Waldenheim family
The surname Waldenheim was first found in Westphalia, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the national conflicts of the territories of Germany. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs.
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Early History of the Waldenheim family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Waldenheim research. Another 170 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1518, 1603 and 1649 are included under the topic Early Waldenheim History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Waldenheim Spelling Variations
In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Waldenheim include Waldheim, Waldenheim, Walderheim, Waltheim and others.
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Early Notables of the Waldenheim family
Notables of the period with the name Waldenheim were
Heinrich von Waldenheim, the mayor of Hamm, who was raised to the nobility by Kaiser Rudolph II in 1518...
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Migration of the Waldenheim family
For many Germans, emigration to North America was an inviting alternative to the trials of life in the old country. From the mid-17th into the present century, thousands of Germans migrated across the Atlantic. They capitalized on the chance to escape poverty and persecution, and to own their own land. After 1650, Germans settled throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Many also landed in Canada, settling in Ontario or father west on the rich land of the prairies. Among them: Peter Waldhelm, who arrived in America in 1779; Friedrich Waldheim, who came to New York in 1835; and Philip Waldheim, who came to New York in 1851.
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