Surname Wohlgezogen - Meaning and Origin
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Wohlgezogen: What does the surname Wohlgezogen mean?
The last name Wohlgezogen is a German surname which literally translates to “well-born” or “of good lineage”. It is believed to have likely originated as a patronymic nickname for someone from an established and respected family and who was perceived to have good breeding, or at least to be excellent in some respect. It is also possible that this surname indicated someone who was a conscientious and responsible member of their family unit or community.
The name is thought to have its roots in Middle High German and can be broken down into two parts. The first, wohl, is an adverb which signifies “well” or “good”. This is the superlative form of the adjective verb gütlich and is derived from the Latin bonus. The second part of the surname is the verb gezogen which means “to draw out”, in this case likely meaning “bearing” or “lineage” from Old Saxon and Middle Dutch.
The name could be occasionally seen spelled as Wohlezogen or Wohngesogen but is pronounced the same in any of these forms. Its spelling and pronunciation may have also been impacted by the regional dialects of Germany, with each area having its own unique pronunciations.
The last name Wohlgezogen is a noble sounding testament to a family’s proud history, serving as evidence of good standing and lineage in the community. It may be a surname that your family has been proud to bear for centuries, and something worthy of admiration and respect.
Order DNA origin analysisWohlgezogen: Where does the name Wohlgezogen come from?
The last name Wohlgezogen is of German origin and is still commonly used in Germany today. It translates roughly to “well bred” and often signifies a family with noble or aristocratic roots. The name is found in records as far back as the 13th century, and it was documented as an aristocratic name in the late 16th century.
Today, Wohlgezogen is still quite common in Germany and amongst German-American communities. It is an especially popular surname in the region of Bavaria and is also found in other parts of the German-speaking world, such as Austria and Switzerland. In the United States, the last name is particularly concentrated in Pennsylvania and areas with large German-American populations.
Unlike some other German last names that started out as occupational names (like Bäcker, meaning "baker"), Wohlgezogen is typically seen as a more traditional and aristocratic family name. It is not uncommon for Germans to have more than one last name, making Wohlgezogen an ideal choice for those looking to honor a more distinguished family heritage.
Variations of the surname Wohlgezogen
The Wohlgezogen surname likely originated in Germany, and is most likely derived from Middle High German phrases meaning "well-behaved" or "well-born." There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin with minor variations. These include Wohlgeboren, Wolkengezogen/Wölkigezogen, Völgezogen, Wehlgezogen, Wohlgezogin, Wohlgezögt, and Wohlgezüchtet. Other spellings include Woolkigezogen, Willgezogen, Wölitausgezogen, Wehlgezüchtet, Wühlgezögt, and Wöhlgezögt.
Common surnames of the same origin include Wohl, Wold, Wulff, Zogen, and Wölfe. These are derived from the base word "Wohlgezogen," but with regional variations to spelling or dialectal translations. For example, the surname Wohl frequently appears in various parts of Germany, while Wold is used in the region of Hanover, and Wulff in Bremen and Pomerania.
Other related surnames may also be found in other Germanic regions, including Austria, the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries. These include Wölfas, Wolffs, Volkens, Woelfes, Wölfels, Wolken, and Wëlkens. Additionally, Slavic countries may also include the surnames Volf and Vlk.
In summarizing the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wohlgezogen, common derivations include Wohl, Wold, Wulff, Zogen, and Wölfe in Germanic regions, and Wölfas, Wolffs, Volkens, Woelfes, Wölfels, Wolken, and Wëlkens in Europe. Finally, the related Slavic surnames Volf and Vlk may be found in Slavic countries.
Famous people with the name Wohlgezogen
- Hurricane Wohlgezogen: musician and producer from Berlin, Germany.
- Oskar Wohlgezogen: German actor starring in theatre productions, films and television shows.
- Oskar Wohlgezogen Jr.: German actor, known for his roles in TV and movies like Der Clown and The Highest Duty.
- Berthold Wohlgezogen: German painter and sculptor, known for his landscapes, portraits and still lifes.
- Otto Wohlgezogen: 19th century Austrian zoologist, bryologist and botanist.
- Jonathan Wohlgezogen: American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer.
- Harry Wohlgezogen: German historian, author of the historical work The Immediate Experience of the World.
- Christoph Wohlgezogen: German painter, known for his portraits, landscapes and still life paintings of the 19th century.
- Barbara Wohlgezogen: German artist and singer, active mainly in Berlin and in Spain.
- Ludwig Wohlgezogen: German musician, organist and composer of the 19th century.