Surname Wolfeil - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wolfeil: What does the surname Wolfeil mean?
The last name Wolfeil is derived from the Middle High German word “wollau”, which means “wolf” and the adoption of the suffix “-eil”, which is a diminutive form. Therefore, it can be interpreted as “little wolf”.
Wolfeil has an interesting etymology behind it and is thought to have been rooted in the south-western region of Germany, including the city of Stuttgart. It is believed to be derived from the Germanic tribe the Welsch, who had a complex relationship with the Franks.
The surname Wolfeil is thought to have been adopted in many forms in various areas of Germany. It may be reconstructed in different variations as Wullafel, Wollofel, Woelhof, Woelhel, Wullhel and Wolhöl.
The first records of the surname has been found from documents in Bavaria, Germany back in 1258. According to these documents, a man named "Wolf", with the last name Wolfeil was mentioned explicitly.
In the United States, it is thought that the first settlers with the the name Wolfeil, arrived in the 17th century. The descendants of these settlers are now scattered throughout the country, mainly in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey.
Wolfeil is today a fairly uncommon name, but it still carries a rich history and culture. Its etymology as “little wolf” is fitting for its germanic ancestry, and its multiple variations demonstrate its resilience. The name is now only found in small pockets across the United States, but it still carries with it an interesting story.
Order DNA origin analysisWolfeil: Where does the name Wolfeil come from?
The last name Wolfeil is believed to have German origins, and is most common today in the United States and Canada.
Wolfeil as a surname has not been popular in Germany for centuries, and it is more often heard in the U.S. and Canada than in other countries. It is perhaps most common in the northern United States and in certain parts of Canada. For instance, Wolfeil is a fairly common surname in some of the states of Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York, as well as in certain areas of Canada, such as British Columbia and Ontario.
It is also very possible to find individuals with the Wolfeil surname living in other parts of the world, including Australia, Brazil, and various European countries. In the United States and Canada, the last name is usually spelled Wolfeil, but variations such as Wulfeil, Wulfil, and Wolfel can also be found.
To summarize, the last name Wolfeil is believed to have roots in Germany, but is most common in the United States and Canada today. Variations of its spelling can be found in other parts of the world, including Australia, Brazil, and various European countries.
Variations of the surname Wolfeil
Wolfeil is a German surname of Jewish origin dating back to the 18th century. It is derived from the German word "wolf," meaning wolf, and "eil," meaning lucky, fortunate or prosperous. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include: Wolffel, Wolfil, Wolfiel, Wolfeil, Wolfgl, Wolfele, Wolfeele, Wolfell, Woolfele, Wolffel, Wolfele, Wolffen, Wolffin, Wolffing, Wolffinger, Wolfeeling, Wolvell, Wolfeley, Wolfelli, Wolflei, Wolfelen, Wolfellen, Wolfeler, Wolfeller, Wolfey, Wolfley, Wolfeyl, Wulfeil, Wolfele, Wolfelle and Wolfle.
Wolfeil is a traditionally Ashkenazic surname, referring to Jews of Central or Eastern European descent. It is found in many places around the world where Jewish people settled, primarily in Western Europe, North America, South America and Israel. Throughout history, its variations have been adapted to different languages and dialects to account for local pronunciation and spelling differences.
Wolfeil is a rare and uncommon surname. Furthermore, its variants are incredibly sparse – only a handful of records exist for each spelling. Modern day bearers of the surname can trace their ancestry back to its place of origin, as it has remained largely unaltered in meaning and spelling for centuries.
Famous people with the name Wolfeil
- Brooke Wolfeil: American artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur, known for her bright and punchy illustrations and colorful lifestyle brand.
- Alexandra Wolfeil: American actress, best known for her roles as Laura in the 2017 film, "Clinical"
- Kevin Wolfeil: American singer-songwriter and guitarist, best known for his hit single, "Love Again"
- Beth Wolfeil: American Olympic swimmer, competing in the 2012 Olympics in London and winning a gold medal in the 4x200 freestyle relay.
- Stefan Wolfeil: German sprinter, winning a four gold medals at the European championships in Amsterdam (2008).
- Michael Wolfeil: British novelist, best known for his book, "The Wolves of Winter".
- Sophie Wolfeil: French figure skater, competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang and winning a bronze medal in the team event.
- Steffan Wolfeil: Swedish alpine skier, competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and taking home the silver medal in the giant slalom.
- Chris Wolfeil: Canadian Judoka, taking home the bronze medal in the under 73kg weight class in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
- Unto Wolfeil: Finnish basketball player, playing in the Finnish Liga ABA and averaging 10.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.