Surname Wöhleking - Meaning and Origin
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Wöhleking: What does the surname Wöhleking mean?
The last name Wöhleking is of Germanic origins meaning “wagon king” or “wagon leader.” It likely refers to someone who had some kind of authority or who worked in a leadership role related to wagons. The Wöhleking surname was first documented in 1405 in the Konstanz region of Germany and further spread throughout the country. From the 19th century, the family began to migrate to other parts of Europe and also to the United States.
The use of “Wagon” as part of the name usually indicates the ancestor worked with wagons or horses, such as being a wagon master or similar. This kind of job was particularly important in a pre-industrial era when transporting goods by wagon or horse was a common means of travelling and delivering items. It would have been necessary to have someone in charge of the wagons who could drive, control the horses, and transport the items safely.
The last name Wöhleking is now a very common surname in Germany, and those with the name can often trace their lineage back to the 14th century when it first began to appear in written records. Over the years, the spelling of the name has changed slightly due to regional variations. For example, some people spell it as Woehleking or Wühleking.
Today, the Wöhleking family consists of people from many different countries and cultures, all connected by a surname that literally means “wagon king” or “wagon leader.” It’s a fascinating reminder of how a job title from centuries ago can still influence the lives of people today.
Order DNA origin analysisWöhleking: Where does the name Wöhleking come from?
The last name Wöhleking is not particularly common in modern times; it is typically found in Germany and surrounding areas. The surname is a primarily German name derived from the old German word 'wahl', meaning a waterfall, stream or brook. Due to the fact that the surname is not particularly common and localized, it is difficult to trace its exact origin.
Wöhleking is most frequently found in Germany, where it ranks among the 34000th most commonly used surnames, but is still rare. Many individuals bearing the surname are descended from a noble family in Oldenburg, whose members held high offices during the 17th - 19th centuries, or from one of the branches of the ancient noble family of Schlieder from Hanover.
Recent records of individuals bearing this name in Germany suggest that it is still present in some of the most rural regions, such as Schleswig-Holstein, Hesse, and Brandenburg. There are a few scattered reports of Wöhleking families having emigrated to other parts of Europe in more recent times, such as Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom are more likely to have the greatest concentration of modern-day Wöhlekings due to increased migration from Germany to those countries during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Variations of the surname Wöhleking
The surname Wöhleking is a German surname that appears to have many variants and spellings. It is sometimes spelled Woelking, Woelkingen, Woelke, Wöleking, Wolkingen, Wöhlking, Wöhlke, Wöhlkingen, and Wohlking. It can also appear as an anglicized version, such as Wohleking or Wellking.
The surname Wöhleking is derived from the Middle Low German word “welk” which means “acrobat”. This suggests that the original bearer of the name likely had ties to the medieval entertainment industry, either as a performer or a producer. It is likely that the surname was adopted by those wishing to convey their status within the entertainment industry.
The surname Wöhleking can also appear as a cognate surname, that is, one with the same origin but a different spelling. Examples of cognates include Walecke, Welke, Wellke, Weleke, Welleke, and Wulke. These variants likely derived from the same Middle Low German “welk” root word.
Other regional variants of the surname exist as well. For instance, in some parts of Austria, the spelling is Völka or Voelka and in Czechoslovakia, it is often spelled Valke, Valka, or Valku. In Switzerland, it may be spelled Walke.
The proliferance of variant spellings for Wöhleking speaks to its long and varied history. While the surname is a point of pride for many families, tracing its history can be difficult due to the multitude of spellings and variations.
Famous people with the name Wöhleking
- HH Wöhleking: 19th century Prussian nobleman and archivist.
- Werner Wöhleking: German entomologist and botanist.
- Maria Wöhleking: Swiss journalist and novelist.
- Wilhelm Wöhleking: German painter and architect.
- Willi Wöhleking: German footballer and manager.
- Christine Wöhleking: East German athlete.
- Leopold Wöhleking: 19th-century Austrian pharmacist and politician.
- Franz Joseph Wöhleking: Austrian music educator and composer.
- Arnold Joseph Wöhleking: Austrian general in World War I.
- Albert David Wöhleking: German-born American orthopedic surgeon.