Surname Völkle - Meaning and Origin

Völkle: What does the surname Völkle mean?

The last name Völkle is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word “folch”, which means people. People with this surname are of German descent and most likely have ancestors living in Germany at some point.

The roots of the surname are rooted in its traditional German meaning as it suggests that those who held this name were likely a leader of a people or ethnic group, or someone who held a prominent position in a larger society. The name Völkle suggests that the people or the line of people bearing the surname were esteemed among those they interacted with.

In present day, it is likely that the Völkle surname is still held by a few people in Germany, as well as a few families around Europe. Because of the Germany-specific background of the name, it would not be uncommon to find families of this name in the United States with some of their ancestors having immigrated to the United States from Germany.

In terms of cultural significance, the Völkle surname and traditional meaning indicates that the people bearing this name have a long history of being respected in their communities. This respect and admiration was likely built on the foundation of having held prominent positions either in their personal family or in their larger society. It can be assumed that the fame of those with the Völkle name dates back hundreds of years, and the surname has been passed down as a sign of respect and trust.

Völkle: Where does the name Völkle come from?

The last name Völkle is most common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. While it is not very common beyond these countries, it is believed to have originated from Bavaria in Germany sometime in the Middle Ages.

In Germany, most people with the surname Völkle are found in the southwest region around the cities of Munich, Augsburg, Stuttgart, and Aalen. In Austria, most people of the Völkle surname are concentrated in the states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg in the western part of the country. And in Switzerland, the surname is mostly seen in the eastern part of the country, particularly in Zurich and Luzern.

The family name is believed to be derived from the German words "volk" (meaning "people") and "le" (meaning "many"). Thus, the surname may have once denoted a person who was among many people.

The family name is still seen on various German internet and telephone directories. It is also found in several genealogical records. But because Völkle is not a very common surname, it is not easy to track down any living relatives who may still use the name.

Variations of the surname Völkle

The surname Völkle is of German origin, and has several variants. It is found most commonly as Völklein, as well as variations of this such as Völklin, Völkelein, Völkling, and Völkel. All of these share the same root, suggesting the original family came from a small village in Germany. Other spellings of this surname include Volckle, Volcklein, Folkle, Folklin, Folkel, and Volkel. There are also several surnames derived from this root, including Volchle, Volchling, Vulkhle, Vulkhlin, Wolklein, and Wolkele.

As is common with many German surnames, there are numerous variations in the spelling and phonetic variations of the same root. For example, the name can be phonetically written as Volkl, Fölkle, and Fölkl. All of these represent the same general name, indicating that the family has a common ancestry.

There have been many people throughout the centuries who have used the name Völkle for various purposes, particularly when immigrating to other countries. Common immigrant variants of the name can include Vulkle, Volkl, Volkel, Folkel, Volching, Wolklein, and many more.

Over the centuries, this surname may have changed for various practical reasons, particularly due to immigration. Despite this, its basic origin is rooted in the same small German village, and the same family name is still used by people in many different languages around the world.

Famous people with the name Völkle

• Johannes Völkle: German author and journalist, known for his work on the history of German nationalism and ethnicity
• Madeleine Völkle: German art historian and author of books on German and European prehistory, particularly Stone and Bronze Age peoples
• Wolfgang Völkle: German actor who has appeared in several films and television series
• Joachim Völkle: German lawyer and politician; he served as a Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party of Germany from 2004 to 2009
• Heinz Völkle: German zoologist and museum director
• Franziska Völkle: German author of children’s books and author of the illustrated book Come a Little Closer: Life and Love in the Animal Kingdom
• Markus Völkle: German rock musician, most well known as the bassist and backing vocalist for the metal band Unearth
• Uwe Völkle: German politician who was a member of the Bundestag from 1998 to 2005
• Nikolaus Völkle: German inventor who created the world’s first commercial self-propelled railway cars
• Nicole Völkle: German entrepreneur, business consultant, and founder of the consulting firm Völkle Consulting Group

Other surnames

VölklVölkleinVölklin