The similarity of the name with Welver obviously did not come about purely by chance. Probably Dorfwelver also owes its name to the Welvereburg, which, located in the area of Kirchwelver, was the origin of the settlement of the whole area. In order to make a clear distinction from the church area, the inhabitants called the settlement on the other side of the forest Dorfwelver. The manors Haus Matena and Haus Galen are located in this small part of the village. In earlier centuries, water power was used to operate mills. The "Schwannemühle" on the Ahse is still in operation today.