Surname Wohlkopf - Meaning and Origin
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Wohlkopf: What does the surname Wohlkopf mean?
The surname Wohlkopf is a German surname meaning “good head” or “wise head” in English. It is a combination of two words: “wohl”, which translates to good and “kopf” meaning head. This is likely due to its use as a surname to describe someone who is wise and intelligent, a good head of the family. It could also be an occupational name for someone who cuts or styles hair, since the literal translation of “kopf” is “head”.
The Wohlkopf surname is fairly uncommon and is believed to have originated from the Rhineland of Germany, which is located in the southwestern German states. It is common for surnames of this type to refer to someone’s geographical origin or could even refer to an ancestral occupation.
For those who carry the Wohlkopf surname today, it serves as a reminder of their roots and ancestry. It’s also an encouragement to strive and be wise, intelligent, and successful, so that they can live up to the expectations that come with the name.
Order DNA origin analysisWohlkopf: Where does the name Wohlkopf come from?
The surname Wohlkopf is still commonly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, countries in which the name originates from. The name is derived from the German words "wohl," meaning "well," and "kopf," meaning "head." It is believed that the name was originally a nickname for someone with an intelligent mind, or who used their head well.
In some cases, the name is spelled as "Wollekopf," which possibly originated from a person who worked in the wool industry. Today, this version of the name is more common in Austria.
In the US, the name is rarely seen. There are only a handful of Wohlkopf families in the country, most of which trace their ancestry back to the Palatine immigrants. The German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania during the 1700s were among the first to use this surname in the United States. Since then, the name has spread to other states, although it remains uncommon.
Today, a quick search of online phone directories will turn up a handful of Wohlkopf families in Germany and Austria, plus a few in the United States. However, the name is still very rare outside of these countries, and chances are it will remain that way.
Variations of the surname Wohlkopf
The surname Wohlkopf is an occupational surname of German origin, deriving from the Middle High German word ‘wolkepf’ or ‘wolkeb’, which mean ‘one who makes a cask’. The surname is unique to Germany, although variants may exist throughout Europe.
Popular variants of the surname Wohlkopf include ‘Wellkopf’, ‘Wohlkepf’, ‘Woolkepf’, ‘Woolkopf’, ‘Wulkepf’, ‘Woykepf’ and ‘Wolkepf’.
There are also several surnames which may have derived from a similar origin: ‘Wulkenbegh’, ‘Wulkenbuch’, ‘Welkenbach’, ‘Welkepf’, ‘Wollkepf’ and ‘Wolkenberg’.
In terms of spelling variants, the surname Wohlkopf is usually spelt in the same way, but can alternatively take the form of ‘Wohlekopf’, ‘Wohldekopf’ and ‘Wohldopf’.
Other spellings such as ‘Wihlekopf’, ‘Wihldekopf’ and ‘Wihldopf’ also exist.
Finally, there are also variations of spelling and pronunciation that may be encountered, such as ‘Walkebuh’, ‘Wellekepf’, ‘Wehlekopf’, and ‘Wohlkeb’.
Regardless of the specific spelling and variant used, the underlying meaning of the surname Wohlkopf remains the same: ‘one who makes a cask’.
Famous people with the name Wohlkopf
- Djibril Wohlkopf: French journalist and translator.
- Jens Wohlkopf: German soccer player.
- Gunther Wohlkopf: German engineer and inventor.
- Lauren Wohlkopf: American Olympian wrestler.
- Dan Wohlkopf: American businessman and entrepreneur.
- Agnes Wohlkopf: Austrian artist and sculptor.
- Madeline Wohlkopf: American author and freestyle kayaker.
- Helga Wohlkopf: Austrian painter, illustrator, author and professor.
- Johann Wohlkopf: German composer and music educator.
- Mascha Wohlkopf: Dutch film producer.