Surname Wolfanger - Meaning and Origin

Wolfanger: What does the surname Wolfanger mean?

The last name Wolfanger is believed to be of German origin, first appearing in records in the 16th century. It originates from the medieval German, “wolf-anger”, meaning a ‘meadow by a forest’. It likely originally described a pastoral landscape, where the inhabitants touched and interacted with their natural environment, as evidenced by the original meaning.

The term ‘anger’ was used to refer to a meadow and fields. During this period, people often marked their estate to designate their ownership, typically through the erection of a fence. Today, many people bearing this name continue to live in the same area as their ancestors.

Like many common German surnames, Wolfanger is a patronym name, created from the surname of one’s ancestor, typically the father or paternal grandfather. This is believed to be the reason why so many variations of this name exist, from Wolfang to Wolfenberger.

Many modern-day families still bear the Wolfanger surname. Since the 16th century, the Wolfanger name has traveled from Germany, to Austria, to the United States, and other countries. In each of these places, the Wolfanger family members have left their mark on their local communities, from those that served in the military to those that continue to serve their communities in various ways.

Wolfanger: Where does the name Wolfanger come from?

The last name Wolfanger is most commonly found in the German-speaking areas of Central Europe. It is also found occasionally in other areas of Europe, including the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and Russia. The name is derived from two words, “wolf” and “anger” which were often used as a form of local names. The name is based on a Germanic word that means in general, “one who dwells in or near a wood near a river.”

It is likely that the first Wolfangers were people who worked in the timber industry and lived in or near the forests of early Germanic Europe. Today, the name Wolfanger is still found on many German birth certificates and can be found in the records of many ancestral families who lived in Central Europe during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Wolfanger name is also scattered across the United States, especially in states with large populations of German-speaking immigrants. In addition, many Canadians of German ancestry can trace their roots back to the Wolfangers. The name has been passed down from generation to generation, becoming a reminder of the Germanic roots of many North Americans.

Variations of the surname Wolfanger

Wolfanger is a surname of German origin which means a wolf’s strength. Variants of this surname include Wolfanger, Wolfinger, Wolffanger, Wulfinger, Wolfenberger and Wolfangerin. Spellings of Wolfanger include Wolfang, Wolfangar, Wolfangera, Wolfeanger, Wolfangerr and Wolfeanger. Additionally, surnames of the same origin include Wolfson, Wolffson, Wolfs, Wolfsont and Wolfensberger.

Wolfanger can be traced back to Germany in the Middle Ages. It first appears in the records with Eber Wolfanger von Schwanebach in 1261. It steadily became popular among the German population over the following centuries.

It has been suggested that the surname has an occupational etymology. It is likely to have derived from the Old German word “wolfihang” which means “shepherd of wolves”. Therefore, those bearing the surname may have had occupations involving the care and controlling of wolves. Alternatively, some believe it has a locational origin since “wolf” in German can mean forest. It is possible those with the surname were natives of a place associated with forests.

Throughout the centuries, the surname Wolfanger has been found scattered throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It has also reached many other countries including the United States, Canada and Australia. It continues to be used by many today.

Famous people with the name Wolfanger

• Axel Wolfanger (Singer-songwriter from Sweden)
• Thomas Wolfanger (Professional soccer player from Germany)
• Vincent Wolfanger (Member of the British Parliament)
• Jessica Wolfanger (Actress, known for the TV series 'Strangers'.
• Alfred Wolfanger (Renowned International Kite-Surfer).
• Victoria Wolfanger (Fashion designer from Belgium).
• Robert Wolfanger (Famous artist).
• Renata Wolfanger (Author and poet from Austria).
• Anne Wolfanger (Musician, well-known for composing the soundtrack for the popular movie 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople'.
• Artur Wolfanger (Political activist from Germany).

Other surnames

Wolfangel