Surname Woelfle - Meaning and Origin
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Woelfle: What does the surname Woelfle mean?
The surname Woelfle is a Germanic name thought to come from the Old High German words “wulf” and “hlaib”. The literal meaning of the name is “wolf’s loaf”. The name likely dates back to the Middle Ages and is likely of nickname origin for a person who acted or looked like a wolf, or who had a habit of feeding wolves.
The surname is found mainly in the south western part of Germany, the Rhineland-Palatinate and Lothinton regions in particular. Researchers believe it may also be found in nearby Switzerland and Austria. Woelfles are scattered around the world, including the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
The name Woelfle is believed to have evolved over time and is now found in various spellings such as Wolfl, Wolfel, Wolfle, Wolfely, Wulfel, Wolfenbarger, Wolfinger and Woelfel.
The Woelfle Coat of Arms features a red lion, the traditional symbol of bravery on a yellow shield, and is surmounted by a pair of wings. The crest of the arms is a wolf's head. The Woelfle family motto is “Toujours loyale”, which translates to “Always Loyal”.
The Woelfle surname is believed to be the root of the Wolfle family name, which has a similar coat of arms, but different names. Some Woelfles have added a “e” to the end of their name.
No matter how varied the spellings may be, the Woelfle surname represents a proud and loyal family that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWoelfle: Where does the name Woelfle come from?
The surname Woelfle is most common in Germany, particularly in the area of Bavaria. According to family history websites, the name is believed to have originated in Saxony, which is located in the east of the country. Since then, members of the Woelfle family have spread to other parts of Germany and beyond.
In Germany, the name has become most concentrated in the area of Bavaria. This region is home to numerous villages and towns that have been known to house members of the Woelfle family for centuries. The name Woelfle is still relatively common in this area today. In many of these places, residents proudly display the surname on shop signs and even name streets after the Woelfles.
Beyond Germany, the surname is not as commonly found. However, due to German immigration to other parts of the globe during the past few centuries, Woelfle family members can be found in Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. Reports have also indicated that there are Woelfles living in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
In summary, the surname Woelfle is still common today in Germany, particularly in Bavaria. It can also still be found in many other parts of the world due to German immigration to other countries.
Variations of the surname Woelfle
The Woelfle surname has several variant spellings that all have the same origin. The most commonly seen variation is Welfli/Welfley, which also has two different spellings. Other spelling variations listed in genealogical databases include Walfle, Wallfle, Wellfle, Welfly, Velfle, Welfel, Woolfle, Woal/Woelfl, Woyal/Woyfl, Wuffel, Wubble, Woelffel, and Wohlfle.
The surname Woelfle is believed to be of Germanic origin and also found in Switzerland. It is thought to have originated from the Middle High German "welfel," or wolf, and the original bearer would have been known for some quality associated with wolves, such as ferocity or watchfulness.
There are also other surnames that are derived from the Middle High German "welfel," such as Wulff and Wulf, which each have their own unique spellings.
Woelfle is also connected to the name Wolfley, which is the Anglicized form of the German spelling, and may even be a patronymic. It is also related to the surname Wilfle, originating from the Germanic "wilfel," meaning "willing" or "friendly."
In summary, the surname Woelfle has several variant spellings that have the same origin, such as Welfli/Welfly, Wallfle, Welllfe, Welfel, Woolfle, Woelffel and Wohlfle. It is related to Wilkinson, Wolfley, and Wilfle. It is of Germanic origin, stemming from the Middle High German "welfel," meaning "wolf" or "vigilant."
Famous people with the name Woelfle
- Meghan Woelfle: the first female mayor of Pierre, South Dakota.
- Brooks Woelfle: a former professional basketball player in Spain.
- David Woelfle: a former NCAA Division I head football coach.
- Maria Woelfle: a German television and film producer.
- Fritz Woelfle: a former judge in the Bavarian Supreme Court.
- Francisco Woelfle: a professional salsa dancer and choreographer.
- Luis Woelfle: a professional tennis player from Brazil.
- Marc Woelfle: a French free-diver.
- Jonathan Woelfle: an early American settler who built a home in Virginia.
- Eric Woelfle: an American actor, producer and stuntman.