Wettstein History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

The surname Wettstein, can have several possible origins. Firstly the name may have originated in a nickname, derived from a physical attribute or personal characteristic of the bearer. In this case, the name would come from the German word "wett" meaning "equal, even" and "paid off" or "wette" meaning "mortgage contract, legal obligation, pledge, stake (in a bet), compensation, fine."

The name could come from the Middle High German "weter" meaning "weather," indicating someone who is good in forecasting the weather. This connection can be seen when paired with the compound "sage," to create Wettersage, or weather prophet. The surname Wettstein, may also be of toponymic origin, from the place where the original bearer once lived or held land.

There are many places names with the root "Wett" in Germany, such as Wetter near Marburg, Wettern in Hamburg, Weetfeld near Hamm, as well as the river Wetterau an der Ruhr near Nelle. Another possibility is that Wettstein is of locative origin, derived from a geographical feature near where the bearer lived. The name, in this case, could come from either "Wette" meaning a small pond for horses or from the Middle High German word "weeter" meaning "storms and sprinkling weather" or from the English word "wet."

Finally, the name may be patronymic, from the name of the father of the original bearer. In this instance, the name derives from the Germanic name Widerold which in turn derives from the Middle High German "witu" meaning "wood" or the Old High German "wit" meaning "wide." The element "Wett" can often be found attached to other elements to form compound names such as Wetegrove, Wetteborn, Wetterhans, Wettermann, Wetterrauber, and Wettlaufen.

Early Origins of the Wettstein family

The surname Wettstein was first found in Lower Saxony, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. The name dates back to the 13th Century when Cunr. Cognomento Wettere from Basel was recorded in 1244. Bertold der Wetter, a "gambler" resided in Menningen in Messkirch in 1326, and Nik Wetterlin was listed at Worms in 1343. Hertmar Wetther was from Greifswald in 1360.

The House of Wettin (German: Haus Wettin) is a dynasty of German kings, prince-electors, dukes, and counts that once ruled territories in the present-day German states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. One of the progenitors of this noble family was Theodoric I (died c. 982) (also known as Thierry) who was a nobleman in the Duchy of Saxony. Around 1000, the family acquired Wettin Castle in now what is known as Saxony-Anhalt.

Early History of the Wettstein family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wettstein research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1401, 1495 and 1648 are included under the topic Early Wettstein History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wettstein Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wett, Wette, de Wette, Wetter, Wetten, Wettlaufer, Wetegrove, Wetteborn, Wetterle, Wettmar, Wettering, Wetterhans, Wetterhahn, Wettermann, Wetterrauber and many more.

Early Notables of the Wettstein family

Notables of the time included the Wettin family, who had been powerful since the Middle Ages, at times controlling Thuringia and Saxony. One branch became royalty in England, when Edward VII, the son of Queen Victoria and Albert, a prince...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wettstein Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wettstein migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wettstein Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Petter Wettstein, aged 26, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 1
Elizabeth Wettstein, aged 39, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1735 1

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)