Surname Wohlgetan - Meaning and Origin

Wohlgetan: What does the surname Wohlgetan mean?

The surname Wohlgetan is of German origin and is derived from the phrase ‘Wohl Getan’, which means ‘well done’. It is a toponymic name, which means having been established well before the start of the hereditary surnames system and originated from the name of an area where the original bearer of the name lived or owned land. In this case, Wohlgetan was likely used to refer to someone who did something well or was praised for their work.

The surname Wohlgetan is now quite rare in Germany and is found in only a handful of towns in the country. It is believed to have been used by some Jewish families in former East Prussia, which is now part of modern-day Poland, and there are also some references to the name in records from Austria in the 1500s.

Today, the surname Wohlgetan is still relatively rare and is largely found in Germany and other parts of Central Europe. It is a testament to the legacy of the original bearers of the name whose hard work and determination allowed them to establish something of lasting note, so much so that their name endures centuries later.

Wohlgetan: Where does the name Wohlgetan come from?

The last name Wohlgetan (or Wohlgethan) is a rare surname found mostly in German-speaking countries. It is typically found in southwestern Germany, where it is believed to have originated. It is also found in Austria and Switzerland, along with other parts of Europe, such as Alsace in France and the Czech Republic.

The etymology of the name is unclear, but linguists have speculated that it may be derived from the Old High German word "welagetan," meaning "meet to choose." Other theories suggest that it may be composed of two German words, "wohlfeile" and "gülden," meaning beautiful or serene, paired with golden or precious.

It is estimated that less than 100 people with the last name Wohlgetan live in Germany, roughly fewer than one in every 500,000 people. In Austria, the numbers are likely even more scarce, with only scattered families reported. The surname has also spread to the United States and other western nations, but the numbers remain very small, with only a handful of bearers of the name.

The name Wohlgetan is more likely to be found in the form of heritage societies and genealogy websites, rather than in mainstream public records. Despite its rarity, the name has stood the test of time, having been in existence for over a thousand years.

Variations of the surname Wohlgetan

The surname Wohlgetan is a variation of Wohlgefahrt or Wohlgetan. It is a Germanic toponymic surname that originated in North and Middle Germany, and could be found in towns such as Wohlgefahrten, Wohlgeten and Wohlgefannten. The name originally referred to people who lived near these places.

Variants or alternate spellings include Wohlgethan, Wohlgeten, Wohlgefannen, Wohlgefahrten, and Wohlgeton. Variations in spelling could be due to language differences, dialects, or a person's ignorance of spelling.

Variations in surname can occur when two people from the same ancestral line take on different versions of the same surname. The variation Wohlgetan could possibly occur when a family member with the surname Wohlgefahrt or Wohlgeten migrated from their original location and adapted it to the local dialect.

Surnames with similar origins to Wohlgetan can also be found. Examples include Wulff, Wollan, Wulfen and Wulffen. All of these surnames have similar meanings, derived from Germanic and Low German words like wulm, which means 'eternal power'.

In the modern age, Wohlgetan has become quite rare as people's surnames become more blended with the increased mobility of people. However, it is still a recognizable name in certain areas of North and Middle Germany, and it still carries its original meaning of people from Wohlgefahrt, Wohlgeten, and Wohlgefannten.

Famous people with the name Wohlgetan

• Simone Wohlgetan: German singer songwriter
• Cenk Wohlgetan: Turkish football player
• John Wohlgetan: American soccer player
• Hugh Wohlgetan: Canadian hockey player
• Sibylle Wohlgetan: German politician
• Dieter Wohlgetan: Swiss professional photographer
• Karl Wohlgetan: Austrian actor and musician
• Christoph Wohlgetan: Austrian stage actor
• Alfred Wohlgetan: Austrian composer
• Erwin Wohlgetan: German sculptor and professor
• Boris Wohlgetan: Austrian chess master
• Peter Wohlgetan: Austrian banker and landowner

Other surnames

Wohlgethan