Surname Woelfert - Meaning and Origin
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Woelfert: What does the surname Woelfert mean?
The last name Woelfert is an old German name, with records showing it is among the oldest surnames in Europe. Its heritage has been linked to the Ashkenazic German culture. The name is believed to have derived from the word ‘wolf’.
The literal definition of Woelfert is believed to mean ‘wolf-like’ or ‘wolf and guardian’ in German. While the original meaning of the name may be lost to time, the name still holds significance today to many families who proudly share it.
The Woelfert surname has remained somewhat common over hundreds of years, though its roots remain mainly in Germany, particularly the Bavarian Region. Records of the name can be found from the 15th century in Brandenburg, Saxony and Pomerania.
The surname is also known to have spread to other countries through the 18th century German immigration, coming to America, Canada, England, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Throughout its history, the name Woelfert has stood for strength, courage and protection. These are qualities each generation of the Woelfert family has held dear, often peerless in their commitment to be guardians for the next. In doing so, they have helped to keep the name alive for centuries and ensure its continuity into the future.
Order DNA origin analysisWoelfert: Where does the name Woelfert come from?
The last name Woelfert is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is believed to originate from the Slavic language and refers to a person who lives near a wolf den. The name was first adopted by the nobility of the medieval kingdom of Bohemia, a historic region located in the modern-day Czech Republic. From here, the surname spread to other parts of Germany and Austria, and today, it is especially common in the Bavarian region of Germany. Those with the last name Woelfert tend to be of German or Austrian descent, and records indicate that it has been in use since at least the 15th century. Woelferts can also be found in other parts of the world, especially in the United States, Canada, Australia, and some South American countries. This global distribution is likely due to waves of immigrants who left their homeland in search of a better life.
Variations of the surname Woelfert
Woelfert is a German family name with several variants. The most common variants are Woelfer, Woelfle, Woelfler, Woelfel, and Woelfke. These surnames are sometimes spelled Woelfurth or Woelfurter. Other similar surname variants of Woelfert are Wolfer, Wolferth, Wolfenbühler, Wopferth, and Wölfer.
Woelfert is a patronymic surname, meaning “son of Wolf”. It is derived from the Middle High German male given name Wolf, which comes from the Old High German word for “wolf”, wulf or wolfer.
Several variations of Woelfert exist from German-speaking countries. In Switzerland, the variants Woelfken, Woelfler, and Woelfel are common. Austria has variant spellings of Woelfke and Woelffer, and the variant spellings Woelfenbühler, Wopferth, and Wolferth are also found in Germany.
The Woelfert surname can be found in many parts of the world today, including the United States and Canada. Immigrants who traveled from Germany to the United States may have adopted Americanized versions of their surname. For example, Wolfert and Woolfert are two common American variations of Woelfert.
The Woelfert surname is also spelled with an 'i' in Austria, such as Woelferth and Woelfer. In Poland, the surname is spelled Wolfert and in the Netherlands, the variant Wulfert is commonly found. In France, the surname is spelled Woelffert.
The Woelfert surname may have been derived independently in other parts of the world as well. For example, in the Netherlands, a variation of the spelling Woelferts is common, with Woelfferts being a variant found in other parts of Europe.
Famous people with the name Woelfert
- Jan Woelfert: German graphic designer and illustrator
- Jes Woelfert: German music artist/producer
- Steve Woelfert: American sports radio host
- Monika Woelfert: German film producer
- Andrea Woelfert: German Paralympic athlete
- Susanne Woelfert: German alpine skier
- Rebekka Woelfert: German curler
- Joe Woelfert: American ice hockey player
- Sarah Woelfert: American animal rights executive
- Laura Woelfert: German journalist and author