Surname de Wolf - Meaning and Origin

de Wolf: What does the surname de Wolf mean?

The last name "de Wolf" is of Dutch origin and translates to "the Wolf" in English. It is a type of hereditary surname which was once used to indicate a person's occupation or their distinguishing characteristics. The name "de Wolf" may have been bestowed upon an individual who had a wolf-like characteristic such as courage, strength, or fierceness, or it could also have been adopted by a person who kept or hunted wolves. Alternatively, it could have been given to someone who lived near a place associated with wolves, such as a forest or a hill known for wolf sightings. It's important to note that the prefix "de" translates to "the" in Dutch, emphasizing the direct and significant association the individual had with wolves. Today, the name persists as a way to trace familial lineage and ancestral roots.

de Wolf: Where does the name de Wolf come from?

The surname de Wolf is of Dutch origin and literally translates from Dutch as "the Wolf". It is a patronymic surname related to a nickname or an occupational name derived from the characteristics of an individual. May pertain to someone who iconically represented a wolf, behaved like a wolf, or had a job that was somehow associated with a wolf.

This surname is still found in the Netherlands, with a prominent distribution in North Holland. Besides the Netherlands, de Wolf is also relatively common in Belgium and to a lesser extent in other western European countries. In addition to this, migration over the centuries has spread the surname across the world, particularly to countries such as the United States, Canada, and South Africa. However, it remains most commonly found in the Netherlands.

Variations of the surname de Wolf

The surname de Wolf is of Dutch origin and pertains to someone living in a house with a sign depicting a wolf, or a nickname for a ferocious or cunning individual.

The spelling variations of the surname De Wolf can include: De Wolf, De Wolfe, De Wulf, De Wulfe, Du Wolf, Du Wolfe, Dewolf, Duwulf, Van der Wolf, Van de Wolf, Van Wolf, Van Wolfe, Wolff, Wolfe, Wulf, and Wulff. These variants could be due to different translations, spelling errors, or regional adaptations of the original Dutch surname.

Surnames of the same origin can also include those pertaining to animals, locations, or characteristics in a similar fashion, such as De Leeuw (The Lion), De Vos (The Fox), Van der Beek (From the Brook), or De Wit (The White).

It's important to note that changes in surnames may also reflect different eras, societal statuses, professions, or religions. For example, the prefix 'Van' or 'De' often indicate specific locations or attributes, while 'Der' may have been used to denote a family's trade or occupation.

Famous people with the name de Wolf

• Frits de Wolf: A famous Dutch field hockey player who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
• Eddie de Wolf: A revered Dutch musician, known for his contributions as a guitarist and songwriter for the rock band, Van Dik Hout.
• Diederik de Wolf: Dutch renowned music producer, songwriter, and drummer for the band, Beef.
• Philippe De Wolf: Belgian politician and member of the Brussels Parliament.
• Amanda de Wolf: British artist and designer, known for her innovative and multidisciplinary work.
• Cornelis de Wolf: A renowned Dutch landscape painter.
• Pirmin de Wolf: A Belgian footballer who played as a midfielder for the club, K.S.K. Beveren.
• Arthur de Wolf: A well-established graphic designer from Belgium, known for his work in animation and multimedia design.
• Andrew DeWolf : He was an American politician serving as a representative at the Delaware General Assembly.
• Isidoor De Wolf: A Belgian cyclist who competed in the early 20th century.
• Niklaas de Wolf: A Dutch soccer player who played as midfielder and forward for IJsselmeervogels.

Other surnames

de Wolff