Surname Völlger - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Völlger: What does the surname Völlger mean?
The last name Völlger is a Germanic surname that originated in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old High German word völlger, meaning "willow-hunter," and is likely a reference to a person who hunted willow rods for basket-weaving, furniture making, or other uses. The name appears to have been relatively popular in the region, with records of it appearing in various German regions from as early as the 14th century.
In German-speaking countries, bearers of the name were most often found in small towns and rural areas. Over time, some branches of the family moved around, often settling in large cities. Owing to this pattern of migration, the name is now found in various places across Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and even as far away as the United States.
The last name also appears in variant spellings, such as Voelger, Vögeler, Vollger, and Velger. All of these spellings appear to have the same roots, and likely refer to the same family. All together, the name is a testament to the family's long history and unique traditions.
Order DNA origin analysisVöllger: Where does the name Völlger come from?
Völlger is a surname of German origin. It is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in other countries with large German-speaking populations, such as the United States and Canada.
In Germany, Völlger is most common in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where it is the 32nd most common surname. It is also found in the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Wurttemberg, and Berlin. In Austria, Völlger is found throughout the country, but is most common in the state of Styria. In Switzerland, it is most common in the cantons of Zurich and Basel-Country.
In the United States, Völlger is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and the Carolinas. In Canada, it is most common in Toronto, Ontario.
Overall, the majority of people today with the last name Völlger live in German-speaking countries and countries that have large German-speaking populations, although the name is also found in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Völlger
The surname Völlger is derived from the Old High German personal name Folker, which is a diminutive of Folkmar. Variations include: Foelger, Voelger, Föllger, Völger, Völler, Föller, Feller, and Fehler.
Variations are based on phonetic differences as well as regional and period specific linguistic preferences of the surname bearer or their ancestors. The way a particular name is spelled may vary from place to place, even within the same country. This is due to varying cultural influences, differences in language and the fact that many languages, including German, were written without an established set of rules.
The prefix "Foel-" or "Voel-" is often added to surnames, and the vowel "e" or "o" can be used interchangeably. In some areas of Germany the prefix "Foel-" is preferred while in other areas the prefix "Voel-" is more common. Some people also change the spelling of their surname in time to match the current linguistic preferences of their region.
In eastern Germany, the name is sometimes written as Völlger or Völler, in which the "ö" is pronounced similarly to "e." In the southwestern region of Germany, the surname may be written Föllger, Föller, or Feller, with the double "l" and/or "e" being used interchangeably.
The surname has also been adapted to other languages, including Dutch. In Dutch, it's written as Folker and/or Fehler.
Although the spelling of the surname Völlger has varied widely, all of these versions of the name are ultimately derived from the Old High German personal name Folker.
Famous people with the name Völlger
- Maria Völlger: Austrian folk singer, Wolfgang Ambros member
- Kurt Völlger: German luger and Olympic bronze medalist
- Werner Völlger: German writer
- Alfred Völlger: German football manager
- Erich Völlger: German swimmer
- Maria Völlger– Austrian politician
- Roman Völlger: German internet celebrity, actor and musician
- Christa Völlger: Austrian journalist and columnist
- Maximilian Völlger: German philosopher 10. Franz Völlger: German Catholic priest