Surname Wohlhaupt - Meaning and Origin
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Wohlhaupt: What does the surname Wohlhaupt mean?
The last name Wohlhaupt is German in origin, derived from the Middle High German words "wohl" meaning “well” and “haupt” meaning “head”. As a surname, it was likely first used to denote a chief or leader, likely within a small village or town. It could also refer to a person in a position of prominence or power, such as a mayor or village elder.
The surname may also be occupational in nature, and derived from the Middle High German “wolhaup” meaning an armorer who made or sold helmets and body armor, goods that were imperative for personal protection during the Medieval era. In that case, it likely denoted a seller or maker of protective equipment.
The Wohlhaupt surname is uncommon, and estimated to be held by fewer than 1,000 individuals worldwide. A large population of those with the name can be found in Germany, particularly clustered in the south-western state of Baden-Württemberg. A smaller population is scattered throughout the United States, concentrated in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Ultimately, the last name Wohlhaupt is a nod to the generations of individuals who looked out for their community, took on important duties, and acted as protectors.
Order DNA origin analysisWohlhaupt: Where does the name Wohlhaupt come from?
The last name Wohlhaupt is most commonly found in Germany, where it ranks as the 272nd most common surname. This German-origin surname is believed to mean “good head,” referring to the prowess or wisdom of the bearer.
In Germany, Wohlhaupt is most heavily concentrated in the states of Bavaria and Saxony, where it is particularly common in the city of Waldshut-Tiengen in Baden-Württemberg. Variants of the name including Wohlhaupter, Wohlhaupte, and Wohlhöfer can also be found around Germany, particularly in Brandenburg, Berlin, and Schleswig-Holstein.
Wohlhaupt is also found in neighboring Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Austrian residents with the last name tend to live in or near the city of Baden in the eastern part of the country, while those with the name in Switzerland are most common in Basel-Stadt and Zurich. In the Netherlands, Wohlhaupt is most common in the province of South Holland, particularly around the city of Rotterdam.
Interestingly, the German surname is also found in the United States, although fewer than 1,000 people living in the US currently bear the name. It is unclear when and how the name made its way to the US, but it is assumed that German settlers and immigrants brought the name with them when they arrived.
Variations of the surname Wohlhaupt
The surname Wohlhaupt has several variants and spellings, including Wellhöfer, Wallhöfer, Wallhaupt, Wöllhaupt and Wollhaupt. It is a German surname derived from the two words “wohl” and “haupt,” which mean well and head, respectively. Thus, the surname literally means “well-head.” It is often found in the central and southwestern parts of Germany, where it is most commonly associated with Bavaria.
Other related surnames include Wellhöferin, Wallhöfert, Wellhof, Wallhoff, and Wellhoefer. Although the spellings and variants of the surname vary, they share the same “well-head” meaning.
Some of the earliest recorded bearers of the name lived in the 1400s in Bavarian towns such as Höchstädt, Mühlberg, and Röhrnbach. During this time, they were mostly documented in the various regions throughout Bavaria, where they served as farmers and tradesman.
The surname Wohlhaupt can also be found in the German States of Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia. During the 1600s and 1700s, the Wohlhaupt surname was also documented in Zurich Switzerland.
Overall, the surnames Wohlhaupt and its related variants have been well documented over the centuries. Its widespread usage and origins are a testament to its longevity and continued relevance.
Famous people with the name Wohlhaupt
- Tim Wohlhaupt: a German jazz musician, bass guitarist, composer and producer.
- William Wohlhaupt: an American lawyer and entrepreneur.
- Carsten Wohlhaupt: a German banker and businessman.
- Heinrich Wohlhaupt: a German art historian and archeologist.
- Hubert Wohlhaupt: a German biologist and animal scientist.
- Emma Wohlhaupt: an American conservationist and author.
- Logan Wohlhaupt: an American model and television personality.
- Dominic Wohlhaupt: an American actor, stuntman and stunt coordinator.
- Marc Wohlhaupt: a German soccer player.
- Ryan Wohlhaupt: an American entrepreneur and restaurateur.
- Eric Wohlhaupt: an American film and television composer.
- Teodora Wohlhaupt: a Romanian hurdler.
- Katharine Wohlhaupt: a German classical pianist.
- Sarah Wohlhaupt: an American patisserie chef and baker.
- Jonathan Wohlhaupt: an American author, historian and public speaker.
- Emma Wohlhaupt: a German tennis player.
- Pierre Wohlhaupt: a French painter and photographer.
- Saskia Wohlhaupt: a German actress.
- Warren Wohlhaupt: an American property developer.
- Robert Wohlhaupt: a German journalist and author.