Surname Wohlmuth - Meaning and Origin
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Wohlmuth: What does the surname Wohlmuth mean?
The surname Wohlmuth is of German origin and is derived from a personal name made up of two elements. The first element is “wohl” which means “well” or “thrive”, and the second element is “muth” which means “courage”. Combined it means “thriving courage”, “boldness” or “strength”.
The surname first emerged in Eastern Germany during the Middle Ages. It can be found in various records throughout Germany from the Middle Ages until modern days. It is quite rare today and is mainly kept alive in the Black Forest region, Hamburg, Bavaria and parts of Austria.
Wohlmuth is believed to refer to a particular character trait, that of being courageous and strong. It may be a name people gave to their children in order to give them strength and encouragement in difficult times. It may also be a nickname given to someone who was particularly brave or virtuous.
In its most basic form, the surname Wohlmuth is presumably a reference to a special type of courage that still exists in people today—although it’s not always as obvious as it once was. It is a reminder of the importance of making brave choices and of having the strength and patience to see them through.
Order DNA origin analysisWohlmuth: Where does the name Wohlmuth come from?
The last name Wohlmuth is most common today in Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is a relatively uncommon name, but there are a small number of individuals with the name across the world, with fewer than 5,000 recorded in the United States.
It is a German last name, derived from the given name "Wohlfahrt", which means "good fortune". The name Wohlmuth is likely to have originated in Bavaria, a state in southeast Germany, as it is more common in that region of the country than elsewhere. It is thought that the name was created in the late 18th century, and has largely stayed in the same areas ever since.
The Wohlmuth family originated in Germany many centuries ago. Records show that there were members of this family in Germany since at least the 14th century. During the 19th century, the family moved to the United States and some family members now live in the United States. Historical records also indicate that members of the family travelled to, and settled in, the Netherlands, France, and South Africa.
Although the name is uncommon, there are still many individuals with the last name Wohlmuth living today. They can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, and other locations around the world.
Variations of the surname Wohlmuth
The surname Wohlmuth is derived from the German word ‘Wohlmutter’, which means ‘well mother’. This name can be found in many variants and spellings, including Wohlmut, Wohlmauth, Wigleuter, Wöhlmutter, Wiehlmuth, and Wohlemuth. These variants are often used by descendants of early German emigrants who Amerianized their surname when immigrating to the U.S.
One variant of the surname, Wiehlmuth, is fairly widely distributed throughout the U.S., while Wohlmuth is more common in Pennsylvania and New York. Other variants, such as Wohlemuth, have not become as widespread in the United States, though they are still considered to be surnames of German origin.
It is also possible to find ancient variants of the surname such as Wigleuter, which was popular in the 16th century, and Wöhlmutter, which is a somewhat more modern variant originating from the early 19th century. Though these variants are common in Germany, they are not found as often in the United States.
In some cases, different spellings of the same surname have developed due to mistakes or misinterpretations by immigration officers, record-keepers, or officials. Other times, variants or alternate spellings simply developed as a convenience or due to a combination of different languages or accents. Regardless of the origin of the various variants, many people of German heritage proudly carry the name Wohlmuth, or one of its many different spellings.
Famous people with the name Wohlmuth
- Peter Wohlmuth: Austrian historian and professor of the University of Graz and the University of Vienna.
- Ryan Wohlmuth: Australian-born American geophysicist and engineer, currently working for Tecton Energy.
- Bethlehem Wohlmuth: Mozambican singer and songwriter.
- Karen Wohlmuth: American photographer focusing on conceptual work.
- Uli Wohlmuth: German bass player of various bands such as Lava and the Late Misses.
- Thomas Wohlmuth: Austrian percussionist, formerly in the punk band Krank.
- Jakob Wohlmuth: Austrian poet, author, and manager of the Intercultural Poetry Prize.
- Chris Wohlmuth: Austrian filmmaker, actor, and comedian.
- Méral Wohlmuth: French cross-country skier who competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Steve Wohlmuth: American soccer player who most recently played for Major League Soccer club the Houston Dynamo.