Surname Falter - Meaning and Origin

Falter: What does the surname Falter mean?

The surname Falter is an occupational name, derived from the medieval French word 'faucher', which means to cut or mow. It was a common name for someone who worked as a haymaker or farmer, suggesting that the holder of this surname was likely of low social status.

The surname can also be associated with the medieval LOFTER, meaning to flee or escape, and was typically applied to someone who was always running away or was described as being "fickle." This implied that the holder of this surname was likely of less-than-stellar moral character.

The surname is found throughout Europe, primarily in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is also common in the United States, the UK, and Canada. In the United States, there are many variations of the name, including Faulter, Falterbaugh, and Faltersack.

Today, those who bear the name Falter are still associated with a strong work ethic, dependability, and determination. They are also described as caring, kind, and generous individuals who are great listeners and problem-solvers.

Falter: Where does the name Falter come from?

The last name Falter is most commonly found in countries of German descent. This surname originates from the Middle High German word “voltere” which translates to falter, or to "stammer". With the Germanic people having moved throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, the last name has become quite widespread.

In the United States, the last name Falter is in the top 10,000 surnames. Over 17,000 people share this last name in the US alone. Pennsylvania has the majority of those people living with the last name, followed by New Jersey, Ohio, and Iowa. Other states with a significantly larger population are Texas, New York, Virginia, Michigan, and California.

In Germany, the last name Falter ranks 271 out of 500 in terms of the most common surnames. Other countries with significant populations of the last name Falter include Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

Since the last name is so common, it may have many different spellings. Variations of Falter include Faulter, Faltor, Valtor, and Foltz, to name a few. Variations occur across cultures, and the name may even change over time. Despite the different spellings, all of these last names share the same German origin.

Variations of the surname Falter

The surname Falter has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.

The Latin form of Falter is Faltere which means “to become weak” or “to stumble”. Variations of the surname include Volter, Valter, Valtera, Falteri, Faltor, Faltera, Velter, Waltere, Waltier, Faal, Van de Water, and Folterer.

In Germany, the surname Falter became known as Volter, Faltor, Valtere, and Waltere, which is a shortened form of the name Waldteufel or “forest devil”. This surname is still found in Germany, particularly in the states of Brandenburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Saxony-Anhalt.

In the Netherlands, the surname became known as Faal, Valtery, Vaaldery, and Van de Water, perhaps indicating a Dutch origin of the surname.

In other Germanic countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, and Norway, the surname has been known as Falteri, Waltier, and Folterer.

In the United States, the surname Falter has also been known as Falter, Valter, Faltere, and Volter.

Overall, the variants, spellings, and surnames for Falter are numerous and include Valter, Valtery, Vaaldery, Van de Water, Volter, Faltor, Faltera, Velter, Waltere, Waltier, Faal, Falteri, and Folterer.

Famous people with the name Falter

• John Falter: American illustrator and artist (1910–1982). He was best known for his Saturday Evening Post covers, though he also worked for the top magazines of the era, including Mademoiselle, The Ladies’ Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, and McCalls. He worked in a variety of media, including oil, watercolor, and lithography.
• Samuel Falter: opera singer and recording artist (1875–1927). After a successful Broadway career, Falter toured Europe and became an internationally renowned opera star.
• Fred Falter: journalist and writer (1852–1926). He was the founder and editor of The Labour Journal, one of the first newspapers dedicated to the labor movement in the United States.
• Joann Falter: American designer and fiction author (1964–present). She is best known for her contemporary, minimalist-style clothing, as well as her bestselling novels, such as “Letting Go” and “The Last Day of Summer”.
• Rufus Falter: American animal rights activist (1880-1962). He was well-known for his advocacy of animal rights, as well as the establishment of the Rufus Falter Institute for Animal Welfare.
• Joseph Falter: American political leader (1918-1992). He served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, and also served as a leader of the United Democratic Party.
• Dr. Charles Falter: American paleontologist (1911-2006). He was a distinguished professor and prolific author who specialized in the study of invertebrate fossils.
• Richard Falter: German-American entrepreneur (1847-1924). He was the founder of Falter's Department Store, which is still a major department store in Munich today.

Other surnames

FaltenFalterbauerFaltererFaltermaierFaltermairFaltermannFaltermayerFaltermayrFaltermeierFaltermeirFaltermeyer