Surname Völs - Meaning and Origin
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Völs: What does the surname Völs mean?
The surname Völs means "people living around bodies of water". This is derived from Old High German and Middle High German 'voel' meaning "waterway, lake, marsh, pool, pond". The original meaning is thought to relate to the idea of people living around bodies of water.
Throughout history, water has been essential to the lives and livelihoods of people, providing them with resources such as food, transportation, and power. As such, those who lived near bodies of water might have held a certain authority or prestige in their communities due to their ability to provide these necessities. For this reason, it is likely that the surname Völs was adopted as a marker of distinction or a sign of belonging.
The surname Völs is common throughout the German speaking areas of Europe, such as Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Additionally, variants of the spelling include Voelz, Volz, Volles, and Foels.
In modern times, the significance of the surname Völs likely remains in the same vein as it has for centuries. Those who carry this surname are likely to be proud of their heritage and the idea of living near bodies of water. They are likely to be connected to the strong sense of community that often accompanies these types of settlements.
Order DNA origin analysisVöls: Where does the name Völs come from?
The surname Völs can primarily be found in Austria and the surrounding Alpine region. This includes countries such as Switzerland, Bavaria, Bavaria-Baden, Tyrol, and Italy. It is also possible to find this last name in other parts of Europe, such as Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Völs is a typical Austrian last name with meaning “bridge”, likely referring to a crossing over a valley or river.
The surname is most common today in the Tyrol region of Austria, where it ranks 73 out of 146 surnames. This region is known for its breathtaking landscape of vast vineyards, orchards, and dense forests, and was historically at the crossroads of major Italian and German empires. This could explain why the name Völs spread throughout the Alpine regions.
In modern times, the Völs surname is believed to be one of the oldest families in Austria, and research suggests that descendants of the name exist in over forty countries. This is likely thanks to emigrants from the region who went out in search of greater economic opportunities. Now, the name is increasingly being spread to countries far and wide, such as South America and Africa.
Variations of the surname Völs
The surname Völs is a German patronymic surname, hinting at an origin from the name “Volk” which translates to “people,” “tribe,” or “nation.” In the early 17th century, Völs was just beginning to be found as a surname in Germany and other parts of Europe. Due to its German origin, the surname has multiple variants in spelling, as well as a number of associated surnames from the same origin.
Variant Spellings
The original spelling of Völs is often seen as Voehls, as well as Voels and Foels. In some parts of Germany, a variant spelling was Foelsche or Fölsch. The Dutch variant of the name is Völse, with some varieties also seen as Voelscher or Völsche.
Associated Surnames
In Germany and throughout Central Europe, various surnames are closely-associated with Völs, indicating a common origin. These include the surnames Voes, Vulst, Voelster, Voelcker, and Voelschow.
In some parts of Germany, the surname Völs was changed to Falls, also leading to variants like Waldfalls and Wilmsfalls. In other regions, the same surname was combined with other elements like Berg or Hügel, resulting in surnames like Völser Berg, Völshaügel, and Foelsberg among others.
Although there are many variations, all of these surnames share the same origin and translate to “people” or “nation.” The original spelling of Völs is testament to its German origin, and many of its closely-associated surnames are additional evidence of this fact. The many variants in spelling and the various surnames with a common origin, make Völs a unique and interesting surname.
Famous people with the name Völs
- Reinhold Völs: Austrian adventurer, author and mountaineer who became the first person to ski down the highest peak in the Alps
- Viktor Völs: Austrian Olympic javelin thrower, competing in the 1960 Summer Olympics
- Erwin Völs: Austrian alpine skier and Olympic silver medalist who competed in the 1952 Winter Olympics
- Elisabeth Völs: Austrian alpine skier and Olympic silver medalist who competed in the 1952 and 1956 Winter Olympic Games
- Georg von Völs: Austrian politician and Member of the Austrian Parliament from 1895 to 1902
- Alfred von Völs: Austrian general of the Imperial-Royal Austrian Army during WWI
- Heidi Völs: Austrian ski racer who won a bronze medal in the Alpine Combined event in the 1958 World Championships
- Gerhard Völs: Austrian biathlete and Olympic silver medalist who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics
- Helmut Völs: Austrian ski jumper, Olympic bronze medalist and world champion
- Abbie Völs: British singer-songwriter from London, known for her soulful, yet powerful sound