Surname Wohlleb - Meaning and Origin
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Wohlleb: What does the surname Wohlleb mean?
The last name Wohlleb is a German name that translates to “the pleasant one” or “the good one” in English. It may have originally been derived from the old German words “Wohl” which means “good” and “leb” meaning “to live” or “to have life”. Some sources have stated that the name may have also originated from the Middle High German word “Wahel”, which translates to “good” or “peerless”.
The name first appeared in records in the 1300s and was most heavily concentrated in the Silesian region of Prussia, which is now part of Poland. In the 1600s, the name was brought to the United States of America by some of the earliest German immigrants and found popularity primarily in the Mid-Atlantic states, although it has spread since then to many other parts of the country.
The surname Wohlleb can be found in many variations now, with diminutives such as Wohlleben, Woelbl, and Wöhlb. It is also suggested that the occasional spelling variants may originate from dialects of German, when the name moved into different areas and was mispronounced.
Through the centuries, this surname has been an umbrella for a variety of people with different backgrounds. It has been shared by members of the middle classes, noble families, and farmers alike, all of whom shared a common ancestor. The name may have not only connected these individuals, but also become a symbol of trip down memory lane for many people.
Order DNA origin analysisWohlleb: Where does the name Wohlleb come from?
The last name Wohlleb is most commonly found in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. It is especially common in Austria, as Austria is the ancestral home of the Wohlleb family. The Wohlleb family can trace its roots in Austria back to the late 18th century.
In the United States, Wohlleb, or variants of it such as Wohlleben, is now most often associated with German and Swiss-German immigrants who settled in the Midwest and New York in the 1800s. The Wohllebs who immigrated to the U.S. often worked in farming or in industry, and the descendants of these families are still found living in the same areas today.
In addition, the surname Wohlleb can also be found in South Africa, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. In these countries, the surname was adopted by individuals who had originally immigrated from Germany and Austria, but also had distant family ties to other European countries.
Overall, the last name Wohlleb is commonly found in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. It has also spread to other countries around the world due to immigration, with slight variations in spelling depending on the country of origin.
Variations of the surname Wohlleb
The surname Wohlleb is of German origin and can have various alternate spellings or related surnames. Variations of the name Wohlleb include Wollapple, Wollabaugh, Wollabel, Wohleb, Woelleb, Woellleb, Woleb, and Wollabeck. The surname can also be alternatively spelled as Walleb, Wollab, Wollabe, Wallabe, Wallabeck, and Wallob.
The Wohlleb surname originated as a Habitational name, derived from the names of various places around Germany. It is likely that the surname developed from the Middle High German word “wolle” which means “well” or “spring”. This suggests that those bearing the Wohlleb surname had likely resided near a spring or other body of water.
Other possible spellings and related surnames of the Wohlleb surname include Woolapple, Woltabaugh, Wollobel, Woolabel, Walaib, Wollleib, Wolob, and Wolloback. These surnames likely developed from the same root name.
The Wohlleb surname is an ancient name and it is believed to have been first used in Germany by people residing in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. It is a very common surname and is still found in many German territories, as well as in Austria, Switzerland, and among other German-speaking populations across the world.
Famous people with the name Wohlleb
- Jack Wohlleb: former professional baseball player in the MLB
- Pat Wohlleb: retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice
- Russell Wohlleb: American infectious disease doctor and public health official
- Martha Wohlleb: American politician and former member of the Maryland House of Delegates
- Bob Wohlleb: former CEO of the condom maker Trojan
- Max Wohlleb: American architect and founder of the Max Wohlleb Architectural firm
- Hans Wohlleb: former German football player
- Chris Wohlleb: German handball player
- Stephen Wohlleb: former president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- Jesus Wohlleb: Spanish musical producer