Surname Wolfs - Meaning and Origin
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Wolfs: What does the surname Wolfs mean?
The last name Wolfs is believed to be of Germanic or Dutch origin. The name is derived from the Middle High German word “wulf,” which means wolf. In some cases, the name may also come from the Proto-Germanic word “wulfaz,” which is related to the Norse word “ulfr,” meaning “wolf.”
The English and German versions of the last name Wolfs have a rich history and differ slightly in their usage. In English, the name is spelled in the singular form 'wolf.' In German, the surname is spelled as 'wolfs' in the plural form.
Historically, the last name signifies the individual's ancestry and is used to distinguish between members of two or more families who share the same first name. It may also indicate that the person is from a family of wolf-like features and may signify fierce strength and courage.
Today, the last name Wolfs is common in many countries and can be found all over the world. It is likely that many who have the last name trace their ancestry back to Germany, Holland, Belgium, and Austria.
In modern times, individuals with the last name Wolfs are seen as strong, determined, and passionate people. They have a reputation for strong opinions and are often viewed as independent and courageous individuals. No matter where they live, they always stand out for their strength and loyalty.
Order DNA origin analysisWolfs: Where does the name Wolfs come from?
The last name Wolfs is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium today. It is also occasionally seen in Austria, Switzerland, and France. It might also be found among German diasporic communities, especially in the United States and Canada. The name is derived from the colours commonly associated with wolves.
The name Wolfs started off as an occupational surname for people who did jobs connected to wolves. For example, a person who hunted, bred, trained, or tamed wolves could have gone by the name Wolfs. Even today there may still be people in rural parts of Europe with the name who work with these animals.
Wolfs is also seen in some Jewish communities. In Hungarian, the name is Vidor while in Yiddish it is Wolfs. Many Jews adopted this last name while living in Eastern Europe and carried it with them when they immigrated to other parts of the world.
Due to Wolfs’ widespread presence in Europe, it is not uncommon to see people from various countries with the name. While many still live in Europe, many have emigrated to North America, Australia, and other parts of the world as well. Therefore, it is likely for one to come across the last name Wolfs from a variety of different countries and cultures.
Variations of the surname Wolfs
The surname Wolfs is derived from the German name "Wolff," which is derived from the German word for "wolf." It is found in many countries throughout Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Spain. This surname can be found with various spellings, including Wolf, Wolfes, Wolfse, Wolff, Woulfs, Wulf, Wolfe, Wulff, and Woulfe. In addition to these spellings, some people may have included prefixes to the name, such as de Wolf and van Wolf.
The use of suffixes is also seen with this surname, which can add to the range of variants. These suffixes can include -s, -se, -sen, -t, and -z. For example, one may find Wolfs, Wolfse, Wolfsen, Wolft, and Wolfz. Other surnames with similar origins, such as Wölfl, Wolffinger, and Wolfshon, may be found in some areas as well.
In some cases, the surname Wolfs may have been Anglicized to something else, such as the name Wolfe. This could be a result of immigration to the United States. It is also possible that the name Wolfs was confused with similar-sounding names, such as Walsh or Wolanski.
Regardless of how one spell it, the surname Wolfs has connections with the wolf and may even have derived from an early nickname for someone who was as strong and wild as a wolf.
Famous people with the name Wolfs
- Jason Wolfs: American business executive and chairman, president and chief executive officer of Warner Music Group, and a member of the Recording Academy.
- Louis Wolf: American civil libertarian, Watergate figure, and political activist.
- Thorsten Wolfs: German professional footballer.
- Modesta Wolf: German opera singer and actress.
- Rolf Wolfs: Dutch artistic gymnast.
- Scott Wolfs: American television and film actor.
- Rachel Wolfs: Philanthropist and businesswoman.
- Mirjam Wolfs: Dutch Paralympic swimmer.
- Mark Wolfs: Canadian post-punk musician.
- Dennis Wolfs: German professional bodybuilder and actor.
- Valerie Wolfs: American long distance runner.
- Benjamin Wolfs: Czech former competitive swimmer.
- Oma Wolfs: Dutch visual artist and dramatist.
- Stu Wolfs: New Zealand singer-songwriter.
- Lance Wolfs: American author, historian and lecturer.