Surname Wolfskehl - Meaning and Origin

Wolfskehl: What does the surname Wolfskehl mean?

The last name Wolfskehl is an old German surname, believed to have originated in the 14th century. It is a combination of two words, "wolf" and "kehl," which together mean "wolf's throat," likely referring to the sound of a wolf's howl.

The name Wolfskehl can be found in family records from Germany, Austria, and other countries that share cultural ties with Germany. It is also common in the United States, due to many German immigrants moving to the US in the 1800s.

It is thought that the original Wolfskehls were a family of semi-noble standing, since the family crest borne in many of the earliest records is that of a wolf. This crest suggests a proud and noble heritage, likely symbolizing strength, fearlessness, and loyalty.

These characteristics can still be seen in modern Wolfskehls, who are often seen as leaders, independent, and loyal to their families. It is fitting, then, that such an esteemed and noble name should come to represent the families of today who still bear it.

Wolfskehl: Where does the name Wolfskehl come from?

The last name Wolfskehl is mainly found in Germany today. Wolfskehl is of German origin and is associated with the German language, culture, and people of the region.

It is believed to come from the old German word "Wolf", meaning wolf, and "skerhil", meaning woodlouse or hedgehog. This suggests that the original bearer of this name may have had associations with a wolf-like creature, such as a shield bearing a wolf's head.

The most common locations where this name is found include Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, the largest state in Germany. The name can also be found in other parts of Germany, including Baden-Wurttemberg and Hesse. In Austria, it is mainly located in the southwestern region of Tirol.

In the USA, one of the first bearers of this name was Friedrich Wolfskehl, who immigrated to Baltimore in the1850s. This suggests that many Wolfskehl individuals living in the United States may be descendants of Friedrich Wolfskehl or of other Germans who immigrated to the country during the mid-1800s.

The name is still fairly popular in Germany where, according to a search of the German telephone directory, there are over 2,500 people with this surname.

Variations of the surname Wolfskehl

The surname Wolfskehl is derived from two distinct words “Wolf” and “Kehl”. Wolf is a Germanic element meaning “wolf” (in some cases, however, it is an abbreviated form of the given name Wolfgang). Kehl is a German term for “throat” or “gullet”.

The surname Wolfskehl has several spellings and variations in different languages. Variants with the same origin are: Wolffskehl, Wolffskiehl, Wolffsköhl, Wolfsköhl, Wolfskehle, Woflskehle and Wolffskehle.

Surnames of the same origin but with different spellings include: Wolffs, Woelfs, Wulfs, Wols, Wulfa, Woelff, Wolfa, Wifer, Wölfl, Völf and Völff.

In English, the surname Wolfskehl is sometimes spelled "Wolfskill", however, this is not a common spelling.

Since Wolfskehl is a German surname, it is sometimes Anglicized as "Wolfe" or Wolf. “Woelf” is also an alternate spelling which is especially common in the United States and Canada.

The surname Wolfskehl is not extremely common, but can still be found throughout Germany, Europe, and the United States. It is worth noting that some of the variant surnames of Wolfskehl may also appear in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Wolfskehl

• Karl Wolfskehl (1869-1948): German poet and translator.
• Cynthia Wolfskehl (born 1915): American physician and professor.
• Hermann Wolfskehl (born 1891): German lawyer and politician.
• Wally Wolfskehl (born 1919): American baseball player in minor leagues.
• Gottfried Wolfskehl (1915-2000): German poet, author, and educator.
• Dr. Andor Wolfskehl von Rechberg (1935-2011): Austrian politician and businessman.
• Franz Wolfskehl (1892-1941): Hungarian architect and designer.
• Henry Wolfskehl (1880-1937): German-American artist and illustrator.
• Kurt Wolfskehl (1925-2015): German Anglicist.
• Hubert Wolfskehl (born 1944): German descendent of Karl Wolfskehl, responsible for Karl Wolfskehl Foundation.
• Friederike Wolfskehl (1860-1947), German actress.
• Charles W. Wolfskehl (1893-1962) American businessman and mechanical engineer.

Other surnames

Wa'ilWaagWaageWaagemannsWaagemeesterWaagenerWaagmannWaagmeesterWaagnerWaalkensWaalkesWaaserWaasmaierWaasmeierWaasnerWaatsackWabbalsWabbelWabbelsWabelsWaberWäberWacaserWacasterWachaufWachenschwanzWachmannWachmeisterWachob