Surname Volf - Meaning and Origin
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Volf: What does the surname Volf mean?
The last name Volf (sometimes also spelled Wulf) is believed to be of German origin. It is thought to have originally been a Northern German nickname derived from the Old German word “wolf” (meaning “wolf”). The name “Volf” could have been given to a person who was thought to resemble a wolf in some way, or who owned a pet wolf.
Today, the surname Volf (or Wulf) is relatively common among people of German descent. It is also found among some non-German families, who may have adopted the name at some point as a sign of respect for its historical significance.
The Volf surname can be found primarily in Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Central Europe. Many of its bearers are Christian and have been living in these areas for centuries.
The Volf family is known for its members’ leadership skills, intelligence, and creativity. They have made many contributions to their homelands, and they are highly respected in their local communities.
Overall, the last name Volf is associated with strength, courage, and loyalty—and the powerful image of the wolf itself. It is believed to bring good luck and fortune to its bearers and their families.
Order DNA origin analysisVolf: Where does the name Volf come from?
The last name Volf is a common last name in Eastern Europe, specifically in Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania. The name is derived from Czech and Slovak, meaning "Wolf". It first appeared in church records in the 17th century, in documents of people living in Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic.
Volf is an especially common surname in Ukraine, with the motto, "Through the wolves I have become a wolf myself". The Czech spelling is Volf, but alternative spellings, such as Wolf, in Lithuania, and Vovk, in Ukraine, can also be found.
When Ukrainians immigrated to America, the North ended up the preferred destination for most of them in the 19th century. As Americans traveled Westward during the 20th and 21st centuries, Ukrainian families with the last name Volf have spread across the country. In recent decades, Volfs have also been found in other parts of the world.
In the United States, Volf is most common in the central Midwestern states, where most of the older Ukrainian-American immigrants settled. In 2016, the largest concentration of Volfs was found in Minnesota. There were also thousands of Volfs living in states such as Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa.
The surname is also very common in Germany, Canada, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. In 2017, Brazil had the largest population of Volfs outside of the United States.
Overall, Volf is a rather common surname, particularly in Eastern Europe, and its global diaspora. Despite its presence in many places, it is still most often found in states where the Ukrainian-American diaspora exists at the highest levels.
Variations of the surname Volf
The surname Volf is a Germanic name that has been around since the medieval period. It is derived from the German word "Vulv" which means wolf. It is most commonly seen as Wolf, or a variant of the spelling Volf, including Wulf, Voelp, Wolph, Voehl, Völpel, Völpke, Wolfe, Volpe, Wolfs and Völpel. The surname may also be seen in its Dutch and Low German spellings, including Woulf, Woulfe, Wolff, Wolphe, Wolphe, Wolven, Wouw, Woune and Wouwe.
In addition to its many variant spellings, the surname Volf has also been adopted into many other languages, and can be seen as both surnames and given names in English, Polish, Lithuanian, Russian, Estonian, Finnish, Romanian and Czech. Some of these spellings include Wolff, Volhov, Volk, Volkov, Olff, Volfs, Volfe, Wolski, Voldemar and Dulski.
Because of the popularity of this surname, it has branched off into many other surnames. Some of these surnames include Wolford, Woolf, Wolfenstein, Wolfhagen, Wulfman, Volfson, von Wolfensohn and Volslag.
The surname Volf has a rich history, with many varied spellings and offshoots. It is a testament to its long and successful legacy that it has been carried through the ages, and adapted into so many different languages and cultures.
Famous people with the name Volf
- Miroslav Volf: Miroslav Volf is a Croatian-American theologian. He is the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School and founding director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture.
- Yulia Volf: Yulia Volf is an Israeli singer and songwriter. She became an immediate sensation after winning the fourth season of “Kochav Nolad”, the Israeli version of “American Idol”.
- Anthony Volf: Anthony Volf is a Canadian fashion designer and businessman. He is the “in-house designer” at Montreal’s popular Holt Renfrew store.
- Victoria Volf: Victoria Volf is a Russian-born American actress. She is best known for her roles in the television series “Law & Order” and “The Blacklist”.
- Julie Volf: Julie Volf is an American lawyer and legal analyst. She is a partner at the international firm Crowell & Moring and specializes in anti-corruption and anti-fraud laws.
- Anatoly Volf: Anatoly Volf is a Russian professor of geology at Tomsk State University in Siberia. He is noted for his work on the discovery and mapping of the ancient Denisovans, a previously unknown species of hominin.
- Michael Volf: Michael Volf is the director of dermatology at St. Joseph's Hospital in Arizona. He has a specialization in Mohs micrographic surgery, and has been featured in several medical publications.
- Vladimir Volf: Vladimir Volf is a multi-instrumentalist from Ukraine, and a member of the band HataZomut. He is considered one of the most skilled keyboard players in Ukraine.
- Oren Volf: Oren Volf is a former Israeli football player who played for Maccabi Netanya from 2007 to 2010. He is currently an assistant coach for the team.