Surname Wievelhoff - Meaning and Origin
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Wievelhoff: What does the surname Wievelhoff mean?
The last name Wievelhoff is of German and Dutch origin. The name is derived from the Old German “Willefel” or “Willevald” meaning “will” or “determined by the will of God”. This name can be found in various forms such as Wievelhoff, Wilvelhoff, Willevald, Willefel, Willefeld and Willefeldt. It is likely that it is a surname found among those who had the profession of “Willefel” — the supervision of Jewish slaves on horseback in the medieval period, or the old profession of horse tribunal officials.
The name Wievelhoff is also associated with specific areas of Germany and the Netherlands. In Germany, the geographical distribution of this last name is largely centralized around the states of Lower Saxony and Bavaria. In the Netherlands, the surname is especially common in Zeeland, a province in the south west of the country.
For those with the last name Wievelhoff today, this may symbolize a deep connection to both German and Dutch history and their local cultural contexts. Over the centuries, those with the last name Wievelhoff may have had to adjust and move throughout Europe, taking part in or witnessing social and economic upheavals along the way. Additionally, its roots in religious contexts from centuries ago establish a connection to a longer and no doubt complex history.
Order DNA origin analysisWievelhoff: Where does the name Wievelhoff come from?
The last name Wievelhoff is most commonly found today in the Netherlands and Germany. It is believed to originate from the Wievel River in the Netherlands. There is also evidence that the surname comes from the old German first name "Wievel," which may have been used among ancient Germanic tribes.
The earliest documented use of the Wievelhoff surname is in the 17th century in the village of Leer, East Frisia in the Netherlands. Since then, the surname has spread to other parts of the world including the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.
In the Netherlands, it is mainly found in the provinces of Friesland, North Holland and Groningen. In Germany, it is mainly found in the state of North Rhine Westphalia, in the area of Kleve, Goch, Uedem and Geldern on the Lower Rhine.
The exact number of Wievelhoff's in the world today is hard to pinpoint, however, an estimate of 2,500 to 5,000 individuals is considered to be the fair average. The highest concentration present in the German-speaking countries of the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria as well as several parts of the USA and Australia.
The Wievelhoff family has kept their culture and traditions alive through several generations by preserving their language and customs. Today, many Wievelhoff's are proud of their heritage and celebrate their culture by joining local festivities, participating in traditional music, and attending family reunions.
Variations of the surname Wievelhoff
The origins of the surname Wievelhoff can be tracked back to Germany, and the name may have derived from the Flemish personal name Wiebbele. Throughout various times and locations, spelling variations of the name Wievelhoff have emerged. Commonly used variants in Germany include Wieveloh, Weibelhoff, Wiebelhöff, Wievelhof, Wiebelhof, Wiebelhoven, Wiebelhöfen, Wieblhoff, Wiebelhauf, and Weibelhauf. The surname has also seen many variants in other countries, including Wievelhauf, Wybellhauf, Wibelhauf, Wiwellhauf, Wiebelhöf, and Weibelhoef in the Netherlands. In England, the surname is sometimes spelled as Wybelhauf, Wiwellhauf, and Wibelhauff.
The use of patronymic surnames, a practice of ascribing lineage based on a father’s given name, has also led to numerous variations in surnames. Patrongyms of Wiebelhoff are often seen in the Netherlands, such as Wiebels, Wiebelman, Wiebelhuis, Wiebelman, and Wiesbels. In Switzerland and Alsace, the surname Wibbelhoff or Wibelhauf is common. Others include Wybelhoffs, Wyvelehoff, Wyvelhoffs, Wybelhoffs, Wiebellhoffs, Wibelhaffs, and Wibelhoffs.
Many of the surnames associated with the variations of Wievelhoff have similar meanings. The base of the surname means ‘western creative’, and some of the variations could be related to related to factors such as ‘Western Dweller’, ‘western estate owner’, ‘western home owner’, or ‘creative estate owner’.
Famous people with the name Wievelhoff
- Hermann Wiefelhoff: world record-breaking athlete who specialized in the 400 meters and 800 meters.
- Franz Wiebelhoff: German politician and lawyer.
- Adolf Wiebelhoff: German soldier and recipient of the Iron Cross 1st Class.
- Ernst Wiebelhoff: German Lutheran theologian and pastor.
- Rudolf Wiebelhoff: German Catholic priest and missionary.
- Hermann Wiebelhoff: eighteenth-century German organ builder.
- Hans-Werner Wiebelhoff: German author and screenwriter.
- Karl Magnus von Wiebelhoff: Swedish soldier who served in the Swedish-Norwegian War of 1814.
- Ilona Wiebelhoff: German historian and author.
- Karl Wiebelhoff: German sculptor and medalist.
- Peter Wiebelhoff: German banker and entrepreneur.
- Freiherr von Wiebelhoff: Prussian politician and lawyer.
- Adam Wiebelhoff: Austrian Baron of the House of Wiebelhoff.
- Heinz Wiebelhoff: German actor, director, and author.
- Konrad Wiebelhoff: German painter and theater director.