Surname Wolffs - Meaning and Origin
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Wolffs: What does the surname Wolffs mean?
The last name Wolffs is of German origin and has multiple meanings. One interpretation suggests that it is derived from the given name Wolf, which references a person's "animal-like nature and strength." The name Wolf itself also suggests either "someone with a wolf-like temperament," such as a fierce warrior or hunter, or someone who lives in a wolf den.
The name Wolffs may also derive from a place with a similar name. This could be a settlement near an animal den, such as Wölferdingen in the German Palatinate region. Moreover, the name is thought by some to mean "blacksmith," referencing the strong and hardworking nature of the workers of this profession.
Notably, the surname of Wolffs is often seen in Jewish families due to its shared Hebraic origins with "Wolfson," meaning son of a wolf. Alternately, the name Wolffs is also seen with variations including Wolf, Wolfe, Wolffe and Wulf. It is estimated that the Wolffs family name is held by around 235,000 people, originating in countries including the United States, England, and Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisWolffs: Where does the name Wolffs come from?
The name Wolffs is a German and Jewish surname that has been around since at least the 17th century. It has since spread throughout Europe and even to North America.
The name is quite common in Germany today, especially in the areas around Berlin and Leipzig. The early ancestral home of the Wolffs was the city of Brandenburg, a province of Prussia near Berlin. Many German-Americans with the last name can trace their ancestry back to this area.
Throughout Europe, there are large numbers of people with the surname Wolffs living in Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and France. North America is also home to many people with this name, primarily United States and Canada.
The most recent figures from the US census in 2017 showed an estimated 27,967 households with the name Wolffs in the United States, making it the 287th most popular surname in the nation. In Canada, the name Wolffs is more popular, coming in at 181st in the 2017 census.
The surname Wolffs, in all its variations, is an intriguing one that has spread worldwide and left its mark on many branches of Europe. It is a name that people have been proud to bear for generations, and likely will continue to do so for many generations to come.
Variations of the surname Wolffs
The surname Wolffs has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most commonly seen ones include Wolf, Wulf, Wölff, Wölfl, Wolphe, Wolfez, Wolffenz, Wolfers, Wölffer and Wolfitz. Other less common variants include Wolferst, Wolt, Wolted, Wöltjen, Wolve, Wolvers, Wolfrath, Wolfrum, Woelfel, Wolfes and Wolfersheim.
Wolff is derived from a Germanic personal name, composed of the elements “wulf” meaning “wolf” and “friþu” meaning “peace”. The name was popular among medieval German nobles, churches, and monasteries, and records of people bearing the name date back as far as 945 AD. It’s also possible that variants of the name come from a toponymic source - a name derived from a place of origin.
There are many different spellings of the name depending on which European language it’s being written in (Wolffe is a common spelling in English, but would be written Wölffe in German). Some minor changes may also happen as the name moves across various countries and language borders. Regardless of how it’s written, though, all of these variants, spellings, and surnames are ultimately of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Wolffs
- Kristina Wolff: German singer and songwriter.
- Tanita Wolff: German reality TV star and fashion designer.
- John Wolff: American electrical engineer, credited with inventing the electronic spreadsheet in 1979.
- Lisa Wolff: American professional golfer.
- Christopher Wolff: American Actor, comedian and writer.
- Philipp Wolff: German footballer, currently playing for Schalke 04.
- Charles Wolff: American jazz and blues pianist and composer.
- Dolores Wolff: German jazz singer.
- Maxype Wolff: Brazilian internet entrepreneur.
- Richard Wolff: American economic analyst, author and professor.