Surname Woelz - Meaning and Origin
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Woelz: What does the surname Woelz mean?
The last name Woelz is a Germanic name derived from the word 'wald', which means 'forest'. It is most likely that the original bearer of the name had ancestral ties to land that was heavily covered in forests or lived near a forest. Alternatively, the name may have been given to someone who simply had a strong association with forests or resided in an area that was abundant in trees.
Woelz is an occupational surname, meaning it was most likely given to a woodcutter or lumberjack. This occupation would have been a necessity in many parts of medieval Germany, as wood was an essential component of building structures and was heavily used for heating and cooking. The surname could also have been given to a person who had some other type of involvement with the woods, such as a forrester or hunter.
The surname Woelz is still common in Germany, and in other countries throughout Europe. In the United States, the Woelz surname is concentrated in Minnesota and Wisconsin, which were both heavily influenced by Germanic immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Today, someone with the last name Woelz may represent a long family history of managing forests and woodlands, or a background of ululating with nature.
Order DNA origin analysisWoelz: Where does the name Woelz come from?
The last name Woelz is a very uncommon last name today, primarily found in the German-speaking countries of central Europe. It is believed to have originated in the area of Lower Saxony in northern Germany, and is still highly concentrated there today.
In 2020, Woelz is still most prevalent in Germany with its highest concentration in the German states of Lower Saxony (northern Germany), North Rhine-Westphalia (western Germany), and Bavaria (southern Germany). However, the surname has spread to other countries including France, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
In the United States, only about 156 individuals have the last name Woelz according to the 2020 US Census. There is, however, a growing number of immigrants of German descent who may share this surname.
In other parts of the world, the surname Woelz is virtually nonexistent, save for a few people of German and Austrian heritage. It is likely that the surname's popularity remained confined to Germany and parts of Europe because the name has links to certain cultural customs and language norms of Germanic countries.
Variations of the surname Woelz
Woelz is a German surname. Variants of this name include Wölz, Wölze, Voehlz, Vohlz, Volz, and Velz.
Historically, surnames denoted hereditary occupations in the early days of the German language. Woelz is similar to the German word “WEOELZ” which means “weaver.” This surname may be derived from the occupational name of a weaver. Thus, Woelz was likely associated with people who were engaged in weaving or the production of fabrics in the past.
Apart from the variant spellings mentioned above, variants of the name Woelz also include Wöls, Welschen, Wellen, Welsch, Welser, Wöltz, Wöltsch, and Weltz. Many of these variants are found in different regions and dialects of Germany. Interestingly, the spelling of Woelz is similar to the surnames Waelchli and Waelchli-Woelz, both of which are likely derived from the same occupational name.
In terms of foreign variants, Woelz and its variants may have been changed in other countries. For example, the surname may be spelled Oelz, Oelzener, Öls, Wallz, Vöhlz, Vöhlzen, Volz, or Voelz in Austria. Similarly, French variants include Velz, Voelz, and Vöhlz. Finally, anglicized forms of the surname include Wood, Woods, Wells, Welch, Welz, Volz, and Voelz.
In conclusion, Woelz is a German surname that is closely related to the occupational surname of a weaver. It is associated with various variants and spellings found in different countries throughout Europe, as well as anglicized forms found in the United States.
Famous people with the name Woelz
- Katarina Woelz: is a German television presenter and actress.
- David L. Woelz: a renowned American video artist and experimental filmmaker.
- Martin Woelz: a German mathematician and Professor Emeritus of Mathematics.
- Willie Woelz: an American college basketball coach, most recently at the University of Minnesota.
- Tatjana Woelz: a bassist in the German Heavy Metal band Frei.Wild
- Judie Woelz: an Australian baseball player, manager and Olympic gold medalist.
- C.C. Woelz: an American economist and academic, Professor Emeritus of Economics at University of Maine.
- Donald Woelz: an American politician and a former U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district.
- Richard Woelz: an American music producer, musician, radio host and music industry entrepreneur.
- Philip W. Woelz: a Canadian physician, CEO, and former president of McGill University Health Centre.