Surname Wöhl - Meaning and Origin
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Wöhl: What does the surname Wöhl mean?
The last name Wöhl is of German-language origin, originating from the town of Wöhlingen in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. It is an ancient, noble Germanic name often associated with either bravery or nobility. In the Middle Ages, a few families took the name Wöhl in order to distinguish themselves from others. It is believed that the name Wöhl is derived from a combination of the old German word "wöhle" meaning "small valley," and the Old High German word "hul" meaning "to hide."
The original phonetics of this name would have likely been 'wille' or 'wuloh.' This name may also be associated with the old German 'wohls', meaning "riches" or "wealth." This could assist in explaining why many people with the last name Wöhl are viewed as successful or having achieved a certain level of wealth.
The Wöhl coat of arms is a shield with a lion on it, respected in Germany as a symbol of strength and courage. The shield symbolizes the house's noble and often strong nature. Additionally, a goat's head is associated with the name, representing an individual eager for their own success and able to work hard to achieve it.
The Wöhl name is an interesting Germanic surname, with strong ties to courage, strength, and success. It is likely that anyone with the last name Wöhl is proud of their heritage and is successful in the pursuit of their dreams.
Order DNA origin analysisWöhl: Where does the name Wöhl come from?
The last name Wöhl is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking regions. Specifically, it is most prevalent in the states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, and Brandenburg. It is also found in the United States, as many German immigrants brought the name with them when they came to the US during the 19th century.
The name has variations, including Wohl, Wohll, Wöhlle, and Wohlfahrt. It is a patronymic surname, deriving from the Germanic personal name Wohlfahrt. It is comprised of two elements, "wohl" meaning "well" and "fahrt" meaning "journey" or "progress." It literally means "in a good journey."
The name is still relatively common today, as many German Americans and other Germans of German descent still carry the name Wöhl. The prevalence of the name in Germany can be seen on online surname maps, which show the concentration of the last name throughout the region.
Variations of the surname Wöhl
The surname Wöhl is a commonly occurring German surname, but it shares variations and spellings with other surnames from the same language family. Some variants of the name include Wöehl, Wohl and Wohle. Many of these surnames can be distinguished by spelling alone, although some of the difference between them is more subtle.
The most common spelling of the surname is Wöhl, and it is derived from the Middle High German word “wohle” which means “wealth”. This spelling is typical of the German language where a “ö” has replaced the letter “o” in many names. The spelling Wohl is more common in German-speaking countries and is the present spelling of the surname in some regions.
A variant of the surname Wöhl can also be found in the surnames Wöehl and Wohle. The difference between these two names is the pronunciation - some of the letters in Wöehl are changed from the original spelling of Wöhl. The letter "e" replaces the "ö" in the spelling of Wöehl, making it sound smoother when spoken. The spelling Wohle includes a long vowel sound that is not used in the original Wöhl surname.
This means that people with the surname Wöhl may appear in different spellings or variations depending on the language spoken in the area. It is important to distinguish between the different forms of the name in order to trace family history accurately. This can be particularly difficult if the surname has been mispronounced in written format in the past. Nonetheless, all of these names can be linked back to the same original family.
Famous people with the name Wöhl
- Arthur Wöhl: German mathematician and educator.
- Johannes Wöhl: Expressionist painter in the early 20th century.
- Joseph Wöhl: German writer and soldier.
- Paul Wöhl: German Impressionist painter.
- Siegfried Wöhl: German sculptor.
- Rudolf Wöhl: German astronomer.
- Richard Wöhl: Geologist and paleontologist in the 18th century.
- Johannes Wöhl-Daum: German opera composer.
- Günther Wöhl: German printmaker and writer.
- H. W. Wöhl: 19th century German poet and author.
- Friedrich Wöhl: German journalist and free speech activist.
- Ernst Wöhl: German painter and wood engraver.
- Karoline Wöhl: German opera singer and vocal teacher.
- Wilfried Wöhl: German graphic artist.
- Andreas Wöhl: German actor and artist.
- Isabell Wöhl: German actress.
- Christina Wöhl: Austrian writer and novelist.
- David Wöhl: German composer and music teacher.
- Werner Wöhl: German politician and businessman.
- Ottfried Wöhl: German photojournalist and television presenter.