Surname Wohlleber - Meaning and Origin
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Wohlleber: What does the surname Wohlleber mean?
The last name Wohlleber is of German origin and is derived from the Old High German words 'wol' and 'leba'. The first portion of the name Wohlleber means “well or good,” and the latter half of the name means “living.” Put together, this last name translates to “well living” or “lively living.”
Given the literal interpretation of the word, it is possible that the Wohlleber name was given to describe a person who is highly active, energetic, and engaged in life. It's possible that an individual bearing this name may have come from a family that are hard workers, ambitious, resilient, and determined.
It is possible that the last name is regional, as it was most commonly found in the regions of Baden-Wurttemberg and Bavaria in Germany. As an area historically known for its wealth and power, one can assume that the people of this region were not only hard working, but successful in their endeavors.
The Wohlleber name can also trace its roots to the medieval period in Germany, as it was first used as a family name during this time. This may imply that the family has been long established in the region they hail from, and have built up a reputation of success and hard work over the centuries.
Overall, the last name Wohlleber is deeply linked to its German origin. The literal translation suggests a lively, hardworking, and successful family history, while regional ties and historical records make it clear that the Wohlleber family are long-standing in the region of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
Order DNA origin analysisWohlleber: Where does the name Wohlleber come from?
The last name Wohlleber is a German surname, and is still common throughout many parts of Germany today. Records indicate that the earliest instance of the name dates back to 1240 in Prussia, where it was used by the aristocratic Wohlleber family. Wohlleber has traditionally been a somewhat uncommon last name around the world, but is still found in various areas of the United States, like Pennsylvania, where German settlers first began immigrating in the 1700s.
The highest concentration of people with the last name Wohlleber is still likely to be found in Germany, though. People named Wohlleber live throughout Germany, from the north to the south, and from east to west. Records indicate that the most instances of the name are found in the state of Bavaria. It is most common in larger cities there, such as Munich and Nuremburg.
Wohlleber is also quite common in the neighbouring nations of Switzerland and Austria. In Austria, it is more commonly found in the western part of the country, while in Switzerland it is found mainly in the German-speaking regions. In recent years, the German diaspora has spread prestigious German surnames like Wohlleber to countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Brazil, among many others.
In almost all of these countries, instances of the last name are quite low compared to Germany and other Western European nations. Almost all Wohllebers in 2020 can therefore trace their ancestry to the earliest instances of the name in 1240s Prussia.
Variations of the surname Wohlleber
The surname Wohlleber is a German surname derived from the Middle High German words "wolleber" or "wollever," which mean "one who is brave or courageous in battle" or "one who knows how to conduct a fight." Variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin include Woeleber, Wollerber, Wollerber, Woehleber, Wuhleber, Wohlleber, Wollleber, and Wooleber. Other West Germanic spellings and surnames could include Walleber, Wallerber, Welleber, Wellever, Woellever, Wallever, Wallever, Wollerber, Wellerber, Wellrber, Wellerbeer, Weillerbeer, Wellerbeer, Weilerbee. East Germanic spellings and surnames could include Woliber, Woliver, Wullebr, Wuliber, Wolifer, Wolefer, and Wulifar. The Ukrainian spelling for the surname is Uoliber, while the Belarussian variant is Uolivier.
It is also possible for name variations and spellings to have occurred within certain regional areas in Germany. For example, surnames ending in "-beer" may have originated in southwestern Germany and Bavaria, while names ending in "-fer" and "-ver" may have come from southwestern and central Germany. Furthermore, the German name "-leber" was sometimes spelled as "-lebher" or "-lebhar" in areas around the upper Rhine valley. Whatever the case, name variations, spellings, and alternative surnames of the same origin as Wohlleber can vary widely depending on the geographic area.
Famous people with the name Wohlleber
- James Wohlleber, professional American football player
- Rusty Wohlleber, former professional baseball player
- Jessica Wohlleber, Brazilian journalist and presenter
- Richard Wohlleber, United States Army Major General
- Pete Wohlleber, former professional American football player
- Bill Wohlleber, professional American football player
- Karl Wohlleber, German diplomat
- Matt Wohlleber, disk jockey and musician
- B.J. Wohlleber, sculptor and installation artist
- Michael Wohlleber, composer, music producer, sound designer and sound artist