Surname Welfle - Meaning and Origin

Welfle: What does the surname Welfle mean?

The last name Welfle is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘welf’, meaning ‘wolf’. During the 10th century, people who owned a lot of land and were very wealthy and powerful were called ‘Welfen’ which is where the surname comes from. Welfle is common in both Germany and the U.S., as well as other countries with German ancestry.

The name Welfle can also be spelled Welfl, Welft, Weleffen, Welff, Welfke, and Welfling. In medieval times, Welfle was a term to describe people who were powerful and influential. They were held in high regard by their peers and were often seen as leaders, either in business or government.

Welfle families can be found in the United States and other countries, such as Canada, Mexico, Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands. It is not uncommon for a family to have different versions of the surname, due to varied spellings and translations over time. This is often a sign that the family has been around for a while and they have maintained some of the original German spelling.

In conclusion, the last name Welfle is a German name of noble origin meaning “wolf”. Although it is widely used in the United States and other countries, it still maintains its original spelling from when it originated in the 10th century. Welfle families can easily be traced back to this time period, which is why the name has been carried on for generations.

Welfle: Where does the name Welfle come from?

The last name Welfle is commonly found in the United States and Canada today. It is primarily a German-origin surname and is especially common in parts of the Midwest such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. Welfle can be found throughout other states, as well, primarily in areas with large populations of German-descended people.

In North America, the surname Welfle has its origins in the Palatinate, a historic region in southwestern Germany. Approximately 15,000 Germans from the Palatinate emigrated to the United States in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Upon arriving in their new home, many of these immigrants adopted the anglicized versions of their German surnames, such as Welfle. Other immigrants who arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries retained their original German surnames.

The last name Welfle is less common outside North America you may find it in parts of Europe, particularly in areas with strong German populations. For example, Welfle can be found in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands.

No matter where it is found, the name Welfle has remained relatively uncommon for centuries. It remains a distinct last name with a unique history.

Variations of the surname Welfle

The surname Welfle has a few different variants, spellings, and related surnames.

Welfle is a variation of the German surname Welflen, which is derived from a place named Welflen in Baden-Wurttemberg. It is believed to derive from the German word “Welfen” meaning “wolf” and the suffix “-en” that was used to indicate that something was owned by someone.

The alternate spellings of the surname are Welflen, Welfel, Welfelen, and Welffel. Related surnames include Weltz, Welty, Welte, and Welfing.

The surname can also have aristocratic derivations as a branch of the medieval house of Welf from which the Guelphs and the Hanoverian Royal Family descend, which may give the surname a different origin.

The name is found primarily in Europe, especially in Germany where it first originated, but is also found in other countries such as the United States. It appears to be more commonly found in western Germany but is also found to a lesser extent in the former East Germany.

The surname is likely of German origin and does not appear to have ties to any other countries or cultures.

Famous people with the name Welfle

• Ernie Welfle: Professional baseball player who spent ten years in the minor leagues.
• Jacob Welfle: German philosopher and logician, active during the early part of the 19th century.
• John Welfle: Officer in the United States Navy, noted for service in the Mexican–American War.
• Paul Welfle: Director at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, known particularly for his contributions to surface metrology.
• Todd Welfle: Actor best known for his roles on the television series "The X-Files" and "The West Wing."
• Robert Welfle: Politician, businessman, and newspaper publisher in Sacramento, California, during the late 19th century.
• Karl Welfle: German chemist and chemical pathologist, known for his work on the biochemistry of diabetes and kidney stones.
• Bill Welfle: Author and illustrator of the books "Field Guide to Freshwater Fish of North America" and "The Haunted Stream."
• Rosalie Welfle: Internationally renowned figure skater who competed in the 1964 Winter Olympics.
• Ludwig Welfle: Prussian-born American who established a bond-trading house in New York City in the mid-1800s.

Other surnames

Welflik