Surname Woelhof - Meaning and Origin

Woelhof: What does the surname Woelhof mean?

The surname Woelhof is of Dutch origin and is thought to mean ‘wolf hill’. It is derived from the de Wulfhof, an old family estate in the town of Bocholt in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This estate was established as early as the 15th century and its name translates literally to “wolf hill”.

The name Woelhof consists of two parts - the wolf element and the term hof, meaning homestead. The reference to wolves likely comes from the animal’s long association with protection and ferocity in Germanic folklore. The symbol of strength and loyalty implied by this connection may have been a source of pride and identity for those of the Woelhof surname.

Though the precise origins of the Woelhof surname remain something of a mystery, it is generally thought that its members were of Germanic decent. The town of Bocholt in modern day Germany is thought to be the original source of the surname and its geographic isolation may account for the relatively small, tight-knit clans of the Woelhofs that lived there in the past.

Today, Woelhof is still a fairly uncommon surname but its presence can be found in pockets scattered around the world. The strong sense of family honor and loyalty that characterized the Woelhofs of the past still has the potential to unite them in the present day.

Woelhof: Where does the name Woelhof come from?

The last name WOELHOF is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Germany. In the Netherlands, it is most often found in the province of Friesland. In Germany, the surname is fairly evenly distributed throughout the country. It appears to be most common in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria. It is also found in the Dutch provinces of Groningen, Utrecht, North-Holland and Overijssel, as well as in other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

The WOELHOF surname is believed to originate from the German occupational surname of “Wölhof”, which is derived from the Middle High German word “wölfhoph”, a compound that literally means “wolf-head” or “wolf-top”. It was used to refer to a person who worked at a sheep farm and likely drove off predators, such as wolves. This surname is still in use in Germany and the Netherlands, where it has been around for at least several centuries.

Variations of the surname Woelhof

The surname Woelhof has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of this surname are Wohlfahrt, Wohlfarth, Wohlfehrt, Wohlfert, Wohlfeld, Wohlerdt, Wohlert, and Wolsfelt.

The spelling of this surname originated in Germany, and is thought to be derived from two words—wol, meaning “desire” and hof, meaning “court or village”—combining to mean a place of one’s desire or wishes.

The surname Woelhof is most commonly found among German- and Dutch-speaking populations, however Spellings and surnames of the same origin can be found in other countries across Europe, including Austria, Switzerland, and Czech Republic.

In Germany, the surname is also commonly found in all major cities, such as Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich.

In other countries, alternative spellings can be found, including Wolhfahrt, Wuelfahrt, Voolff, Voelhlph, and Woelhoff. These spellings can be found in locations such as Poland, the Netherlands, and Denmark.

In some families, the original German spelling has been modified as they assimilated into new cultures and countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. This can include changing the spelling to Wulfert, Wulferd, Woolfard, Wulfard, Wolferd, and Woolford.

Overall, the surname Woelhof with its various spellings and surnames of the same origin is found throughout many countries in Europe, and is widely dispersed in immigrant populations around the world.

Famous people with the name Woelhof

• Pete Woelhof (Former American football player)
• Raymond Marx Woelhof (Former player in the National Football League)
• Bernard Woelhof (Dutch cyclist)
• Ed Woelhof (American football coach)
• Bart Woelhof (Dutch politician)
• Alphons Woelhof (Dutch professional cyclist)
• Gracia van Woelhof (Former Dutch sprinter)
• Andreas Woelhof (Dutch professional cyclist)
• Charles Woelhoff (American painter)
• Christopher Woelhof (American football player and coach)
• Florian Woelhuis (Dutch baseball player)
• Gilbert Wilfred Woelhof (American pilot)
• Gretta Woelhoff (American music teacher)
• Harm Woelhof (Dutch professional cyclist)
• Jacobus Johan Woelhoff (Dutch coachman)
• Johannes Woelhof (Dutch mountaineer)
• Marcus Woelhof (American fencer)
• Martin Woelhof (American television presenter)
• Paul Woelhof (Dutch professional footballer)
• Robert Woelhof (American politician)

Other surnames

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