Surname Woelflinger - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Woelflinger: What does the surname Woelflinger mean?
The surname Woelflinger originates from Germany and is derived from the Middle High German words “welp” (wolf) and “lingen” (descendants). This combination literally translates to “descendant of the wolf”, indicating that the Woelflingers were a family line of wolf keepers. Alternatively, in some parts of Germany, the word “wolf” was used to denote a proud and fierce character, so Woelflinger could also mean “descendant of the proud and fierce one”.
The Woelflingers first appeared in written records during the 14th century, inhabiting the region of Franconia. They resided in villages around the city of Nuremberg, and many of the Woelflingers eventually chose to settle within the city walls. Despite their fierce reputation, the Woelflingers were known to have clashed only once with outside forces, in 1525 as part of the German Peasants' War. This was an uprising of rural people in many parts of the Holy Roman Empire, in which the Woelflingers chose to stand with the peasants and fight against the ruling princes.
Throughout the centuries, the Woelflingers have remained dedicated to their local community, their loyalty and courage running strong in their blood. Many Woelflingers have achieved distinction through their relationship with their region; for example, a doctor by the name of Johannes Woelflinger established a hospital for the needy in 1708. His compassion and dedication made him one of the most admired doctors of the region, a symbol of the Woelflinger’s character and values.
The Woelflinger name is therefore a symbol of a long-lived family with strong ties to their homeland, a fierce strength and loyalty that lives through the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisWoelflinger: Where does the name Woelflinger come from?
The last name Woelflinger is mainly found today in Germany and Austria. Records show that the name originated in the region of Austria known as Styria. The earliest sightings of the name date back to the 14th century.
Today, the name Woelflinger resonates around Austria with most of those bearing the name living in the North-East region near the borders of Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia. In the German states, most of the Woelflinger population live in Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg.
Global genealogy services have tracked members of the Woelflinger family in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and other countries as well. All of those bearing the name are descended from ancestral branches of the family that migrated to different parts of the world, with the majority of migration happening during the 19th century.
The spelling of the name has varied in different countries, with Wölflinger, Wölfling and Woelfler being the most common variations. Seemingly it has also been adapted into other languages of the world, with “Volflin” being an Americanised version of the name.
Variations of the surname Woelflinger
Woelflinger is a German surname with a variety of spelling variants and related surnames, all incredibly common for German-speaking cultures. The most standard spelling of Woelflinger is as stated, but one may also find it spelled Wölflinger, Woelflingen, Wolflingen, Woelfeler, Wolffler, Welfinger, Wolffinger, Wolfinger, Wulffinger, Welfinger, Welfeler, Wulflinger, and Wuelflinger.
The related surnames all stem from the same origin, however, have often taken on regional variations due to their localization in specific German regions. These names include Welfers, the Mecklenburg version of Woelfinger, Wolffers and Wolpers from Oldenburg, Wolfers and Wolfarts from Münster and Wolfs from the Rhineland.
Woelflinger is also sometimes combined with the related surnames Walzl and Walzel in a double surname, as in Woelflinger-Walzel or Woelflinger-Walzl. It can also be combined with other names such as Weyrauch, Baumann, Roth, or Kutschbach.
The surname Woelflinger first appears in records from areas near the Rhine in the thirteenth century, when it was used as a nicknames for the Latin pre-name Lupolaus, which translates to "wolfhilt". The name implies a fierce and brave warrior spirit, qualities which are also further emphasized by the presence of the wolf in its many spelling variants. As a result, it has become a widely carried surname across Germany.
Famous people with the name Woelflinger
- Michael Woelflinger: German composer and music professor at Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance
- Samantha Woelflinger: Actress known for her role in the 2020 film "La boutonnière magique"
- Wolfgang Woelflinger: Austrian painter and professor at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
- Felipe Woelflinger: Brazilian doctor, medical researcher, and human rights activist
- Christian Woelflinger: Austrian musicologist and expert on 18th-century music
- Frederik Woelflinger: German business professor and author of the book "Die Management-Revolution"
- Katelyn Woelflinger: American beauty pageant titleholder and Miss Pennsylvania USA 2020
- Franz Woelflinger: Austrian actor and film director known for his work in the 1910s and 1920s
- Karl Woelflinger: German physician and businessman specializing in medical technology
- Richard Woelflinger: English sculptor known for his portrait busts of prominent figures