Surname Woelhoff - Meaning and Origin

Woelhoff: What does the surname Woelhoff mean?

The last name Woelhoff is of German origin and is derived from the words wölle and hoff, which mean “wool” and “court” respectively. It is believed that this last name evolved from a family of artisans who were specialized in the production of wool products.

The Woelhoff could have also been a farming family that may have maintained an estate with farming and animal husbandry, as well as a court or manor. The name could also be derived from the Old German word ‘weuld’, meaning ‘forest’.

The Woelhoff family likely traces its roots back to the medieval period, when its members were likely involved in the production of woolen goods or in farming on a large estate. It is estimated that the Woelhoff surname is shared by roughly 1,300 people worldwide, with the most common concentration in Germany and the United States.

The Woelhoff surname is often transliterated to other languages such as French (Woelhoff) and Spanish (Wolfhoff). It is also linked to a few variant last names, such as Wölhoff, Wohloff, and Wahlhoff. Some individuals with other last names may have a Woelhoff ancestor.

The Woelhoff family is a proud and ancient group of people. As descendants of a long line of artisans and farmers, they have a deep appreciation for hard work, tradition, and family.

Woelhoff: Where does the name Woelhoff come from?

The last name Woelhoff is most commonly found in Germany today. According to the German telephone directory, there are over 1,500 entries of this surname scattered across Germany. In addition, it can be found in the Netherlands, where its first recorded instance dates to the 16th century, when a Jan Pietersz Woelhoff was mentioned in theÔÇÖUtrecht Archives.

Prominent German citizens with the surname Woelhoff include Johannes Wilhelm Woelhoff, a lawyer, judge, and politician who served as the High Commissioner of Germany in South West Africa between 1918 and 1920; and Johann Dietrich Woelhoff, a German army officer and alumni of the renowned Karlsruhe Military Academy.

In America, the surname Woelhoff is far less common, although there are a fair share of people with this name. In the United States, the earliest known recording of an American connected to the name Woelhoff was Elke Woelhoff, who was granted permission to emigrate from Germany to Wisconsin in 1958.

Today, the Woelhoff surname continues to exist in both Germany and America, where small pockets of people still bear the name.

Variations of the surname Woelhoff

The Woelhoff surname is a Germanogenic variation of the name Wolfe that originated from the ancient personal name Wolfer, which itself derived from the medieval German name Wolfram, meaning "wolf" and " raven."

Woelhoff is an uncommon surname in Germany and has appeared most commonly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Variations and spellings of Woelhoff include Wolhoff, Wölhoff, Wölhf, Wölh, Wöhlh, Wölhf, Wölhfl, Wöhlff, Wöhlh, Wölhh, Wöhlhf, Wolhf, Wolff and Wolf.

Other surnames of the same origin include Wulf, Wolfe, Wollf, Wolff, Woelfel, Wolffram, Wolfframm, Wolffrant, Wolffert, Wolfframm, Wolffing, and Wolffinger.

The surname is found in records as far back as 1351 when Heinrich V Walhoff, a wealthy landowner, owned lands in Norderney which is now an East Frisian island on the North Sea coast of Germany. Over the centuries, the surname has made its way to the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland, Austria, and many other countries.

Famous people with the name Woelhoff

• Marcus Woelhoff:Marcus Woelhoff is a German former race car driver who had a successful career in GT racing. He has competed in multiple series, including the German VLN and the International GT Open.
• Robert Woelhoff: Robert Woelhoff is a former professional ice hockey player from Germany. He played in the DEL for over 10 seasons and represented his country in the World Championships.
• Ina Woelhoff: Ina Woelhoff is a German opera singer who has performed in over 50 different operas. She has won multiple awards for her performances and is considered to be one of the top German singers in the world.
• Francis Woelffle: Francis Woelffle is a French artist best known for his sculptures and paintings. He has exhibited his works in multiple galleries around Europe and has held a few solo exhibitions.
• Mar indicate Woelch: Mar indicate Woelch is an Austrian actor and model. He is best known for his roles in Austrian TV shows and movies. He also appeared in some German and Swiss productions.
• Sebastian Woelch: Sebastian Woelch is a German soccer player who currently plays for Stuttgarter Kickers. He has represented his country in multiple international competitions.
• Anna Woelker: Anna Woelker is a German swimmer who has represented her country in multiple international competitions. She won a gold medal in the 2012 European Swimming Championships.
• Carsten Woelk: Carsten Woelk is a German composer and producer. He has composed music for movies, television shows, theater plays, and video games.

Other surnames

Woelhof