Surname Wöhlken - Meaning and Origin

Wöhlken: What does the surname Wöhlken mean?

The last name Wöhlken has Germanic origins and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word 'wöhle', a type of shear used in rural areas to make hay. The name is thought to refer to someone who was employed in the making of hay. Over the years, the name evolved to become Wöhlken and was first seen in the region of Bavaria, Germany.

The meaning of the name is generally thought to be "of the meadow". It may also have been derived from the Middle Low German word 'wöhl', meaning “pasture on a low hill”. During the 16th century, the surname began to spread beyond Bavaria and is commonly found in parts of Holland and the former Prussian provinces.

Today, Wöhlken is still a common German surname. It is also popular in countries such as the United States, where it is often spelled 'Woelken'. The surname Wöhlken is associated with resourcefulness, determination, and hard work. The name has a strong traditional heritage, and those who bear it today can take pride in their roots.

Wöhlken: Where does the name Wöhlken come from?

The last name Wöhlken is most common today in Germany and Northern European countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. It has been documented as far back as 1648 in Germany.

The name is derived from the Low German term "wöhlk", which is a diminutive of Wolf. It is found in records from all over Germany and specifically in the former East Germany. It is also found in the United States, though in a much smaller population.

The name has also been found in Canada and Australia, mainly due to German emigration following the Second World War. It is also found in both Latin America and some countries in Africa such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana.

In Germany and other German-speaking countries today, the last name Wöhlken is most commonly found in the service industry, such as hospitality, tourism, and retail. It is also becoming increasingly common in the fields of technology and engineering, communications, and business.

The last name Wöhlken is still popular in Germany today, and is probably a good indication of slow but steady social mobility.

Variations of the surname Wöhlken

The surname Wöhlken originated in Germany and is derived from the Old German word ‘Wolhien’, meaning wild dog. It is believed to have originated in the area of Southern Germany known as Lower Saxony. Over time, the name has evolved and there are multiple variants and spellings of the same origin.

Variants of the surname Wöhlken include Woelcken, Wohlken, Wöhlking, Wöhlk, Woelk, Woolk, Woelkken, Wöhlknen, Wöhlkingen, Wöhlgingen, Woelkonen, Woelknen, Walcken, Wallcken, Walckenhagen, Wallckenhagen, Woelken, Woelkmann, Wolcken, Wolckenhausen, and Wöllker.

Common surnames derived from Wöhlken include Wöhlke, Wöhlking, Woelke, Woelking, Wölk, Woelcken, Woelcker, Wölcke, Wölcking, Wolcken, and Wolcker.

The surnames Wöhlken and its variations are found in many countries throughout the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Brazil. In some countries, additional variants of the surname exist, such as the French Woelquen and the Spanish, Wulquen.

Despite the geographical spread and different spellings of the surname, all its variations are derived from the same origin and are considered variants of Wöhlken.

Famous people with the name Wöhlken

• Tim Wöhlken: recognised German discus thrower and former Olympian.
• Tino Wöhlken: German professional footballer who currently plays for Werder Bremen U19 team.
• Felix Wöhlken: German pastor, bible translator and author, best known for his Bible interpretation in his books.
• Justus Wöhlken: German politician of the Social Democratic Party, elected as the mayor of Uelzen in 2015.
• Max Wöhlken: German jazz drummer and renowned session musician.
• Leon Wöhlken: German film director, producer, and screenwriter. His award-winning movie, “Only Gently” (only Vorsichtig), showcases his talent for story telling and film production.
• Caspar Wöhlken: German physiologist and renown expert on metabolism. He was the director at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Cologne.
• Justus Hermann Wöhlken: former German gymnast, who won several medals in the 1891 German gymnastics competition.
• Matilda Wöhlken: early 19th century German theologian, who upon graduation in 1894, was one of the first female scholars.
• Andre Wöhlken: Italian-German painter, sculptor and illustrator who has been exhibiting artwork and designing sets for modern theatre since the 1980s.

Other surnames

WöhlkeWöhlkens