Surname Wöhleke - Meaning and Origin
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Wöhleke: What does the surname Wöhleke mean?
The surname Wöhleke is of Germanic origin and is derived from a habitational name. It is a topographical name for someone who resided near a mountain ridge or a wooded incline, derived from the Low German and Middle Dutch wōle meaning ‘ravine’. The surname is also spelled Wöhlke, Wöleke and Wöhlke, and has variants Wöllke and Wöhlecke.
Historically, Germanic names typically denoted peoples, clans, and tribes so surnames developed to identify and distinguish specific individuals and their families. Surnames were usually derived from location, occupation, physical characteristics, or personal names.
The Wöhleke family name has been found in records of Prussia as early as 1607 in various regions such as Pomerania, West Prussia, East and West Prussia. The Wöhleke family had mostly agricultural roots, working farms that produced mainly potatoes, beets, turnips and cabbage. The name has various spellings in different languages such as Polish, Russian, Czech and Ukrainian.
Over the centuries, the Wöhleke family has spread across several countries. Across Europe it is most common in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Today, members of the Wöhleke family are found across many countries, giving testament to the family’s diasporic journey.
Order DNA origin analysisWöhleke: Where does the name Wöhleke come from?
The last name Wöhleke is currently most commonly found in Germany. It is a relatively uncommon name, appearing in records as far back as the 1700s, with its origins believed to come from either of two places; the town of Bad Wöhleke near Bielefeld, or a settlement in Eastern Prussia called Wöhleken.
The name has since spread across Germany, with records of the name occurring at German business, educational, and government offices. It is also found farther afield, with records of Wöhlekes from as far as Poland, Finland, South Africa, the United States, and Canada.
Given the wide range of its occurrence, it's possible that the name has taken on different spellings, though the most commonly-used version today remains Wöhleke. There is also evidence of variants such as Wohelke, Woehlke, Wahleke, or even Wohleke, depending on the region it is used in.
Notable people who have borne the name Wöhleke include Georg Alphons Wöhleke, a German university professor who served as the first Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Berlin, and latterly as a professor at the University of Hamburg. Other well-known figures include Alfred Wöhleke, a German estate and forest manager who was responsible for the protection of German forests during the Second World War, and Ulrich Wöhleke, who was an early German Communist activist.
Variations of the surname Wöhleke
The surname Wöhleke has a variety of variants and surnames that originate from the same source.
The most common variant, and the one usually seen in Germany, is Wohleke, sometimes stylized as Wöhleke. This variant is thought to be a variation of Wohlfeil, an old German surname derived from the word “wohlfeil,” which means “cheap.”
Other variants of Wöhleke include Wohlfeil, Wohlek, Wohleker, Wohlekers, Wahleke, Wallke, Wahlke, Wahlker, Wahlkers, Wahlkies, Wohlik, Wohleck, and Whalke. These variants are typically seen in the United States, especially if the person of this surname immigrated to America.
Surnames with the same origin as Wöhleke include (but are not limited to): Wohlfahrt, Wohlfart, Wohlfahrts, Wolffhart, Wolffhard, Wolphant, Wolffhard, Wolaphant, and Wolfhart. These surnames are derived from the German “wolf hart,” meaning strong as a wolf.
Finally, a few other surnames that could have a similar origin are Walfeldt, Walpole, Walmsley, Walpole, Wallerstein, Waliszewski, Walldorf, Wallenstein, Walling, Weingartz, Waller, and Waldo. These surnames, though not necessarily of German origin, are all likely to have some form of the same root as Wöhleke.
Famous people with the name Wöhleke
- Christian Wöhleke, German actor and director
- Margit Wöhleke, German athlete
- Lutz Wöhleke, German scientist
- Johann Wöhleke, German manufacturer
- Ferenc Wöhleke, Hungarian painter
- Johannes Wöhleke, German swimmer
- Tommy Wöhleke, Swedish footballer
- Elisabeth Wöhleke, German opera singer
- Nikki Wöhleke, German contemporary artist
- Paul J. Wöhleke, German Public Director and Founder of Omega Solutions Group