Surname von Wolff - Meaning and Origin
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von Wolff: What does the surname von Wolff mean?
The last name von Wolff is German in origin and means “wolf”. It is derived from the German word “wulf”, which itself is derived from the Proto-Germanic term “wulfaz”.
The use of the prefix "von" was typically employed to denote noble birth, and in the case of the von Wolff surname this is no exception. It is generally accepted that those bearing the von Wolff name trace their ancestry back to the German aristocracy. It was more commonly used in the 18th and 19th centuries to distinguish prominent families, and as such the significance of the von Wolff root name historically alluded to a certain highborn status.
The wolf features prominently in Germanic culture and mythology, and is symbolic of strength, keenness, and intelligence, as well as being viewed as an important element of Germanic cultural identity. Thus, the surname von Wolff also generally reflects these qualities and points to a certain degree of yea rning for a strong and dignified legacy.
Overall, the last name von Wolff is typically associated with prominent German families, and implies strength, intelligence, and a sense of respectability.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Wolff: Where does the name von Wolff come from?
The last name von Wolff is most prevalent in areas of Germany and Central Europe, particularly Germany. The von Wolff surname dates back to the mid-12th century and has been associated with many renowned people in history.
The von Wolff lineage has traditionally been associated with noble and military service, and the surname continues to appear in noble titles and family crests. Von Wolff families are scattered throughout Germany but are particularly common in the former Prussian states of Brandenburg and Pomerania, as well as portions of Austria and Scandinavia.
Urban areas throughout Germany also have a significant von Wolff population, namely the larger cities like Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Dortmund. The von Wolff name is also common among the large German diaspora, as many are descendants of families that have migrated to other areas in Europe such as the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.
Outside of Europe, von Wolff families can also be found in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States. In the US, the von Wolff surname is most frequently found in California, Texas, Illinois and New York, and also throughout other states with German-American populations.
Variations of the surname von Wolff
The von Wolff surname can be derived from numerous different regions and countries and has many different variants and spellings.
The most common variant of von Wolff is the German Wolff which is derived from the Middle High German 'wolff', meaning 'wolf'. This is often seen in Germanic and Ashkenazi Jewish surnames. Other variants of this German surname include Wolfe, Wolffe, Wolffers, and Wolfers. In some cases, the name has also been distorted to Wolfeshale, Wolfefield, Wollfer, and Woolf.
In Dutch culture specifically, the surname is usually spelled as Woulfe and can be seen in names such as Woulfemans. The Dutch variant is often derived from the word “woulf” which is a variant of “wolf”.
The name can also be seen in Russia as Volff and Volfov. This Russian variant is commonly found among Ashkenazi Jews.
In Ukraine and Lithuania, the surname is often spelled as Wolfas or Volvas. This variant is more common among Ashkenazi Jews. Other variants for Ukraine and Lithuania include Wolfson and Wolffson.
It is also possible to find the surname in Sweden in the variants Wallfisch, Wallffisch, Vallfisch and Valffisch. All of these variants are derived from the German words “wald” and “fisch” which mean “forest” and “fish” respectively.
Finally, in English-speaking countries, the name is often Anglicized to Wolf.
Overall, the surname von Wolff can be found in numerous countries and cultures worldwide and has a variety of different variants and spellings.
Famous people with the name von Wolff
- Verena von Wolff (German fashion designer)
- Elisabeth von Wolff (former German ambassador to Iraq)
- Frederic von Wolff (German actor)
- Gustav von Wolff (German military officer)
- Richard von Wolff (German actor and film director)
- August Wilhelm von Wolff (German mathematician and physicist)
- Francois Xavier von Wolff (German-French archaeologist and diplomat)
- Johann Jakob von Wolff (German theologian)
- Maria Amalia von Wolff (German Duhesme Chambermaid of Queen Maria Sophia of Neapel)
- Richard von Wolff (German-Brazilian writer of natural history and geography)