Surname Wolgschaft - Meaning and Origin
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Wolgschaft: What does the surname Wolgschaft mean?
The last name Wolgschaft is of Germanic origin and is derived from the old words “wulf”, which means “wolf”, and “schaffte”, which means “service” or “duty”. Combined, the name translates literally to “wolf service” or “wolf duty”. The traditional meaning of the last name Wolgschaft was to denote a person who was particularly brave or chivalrous, which is supported by its origin as a reference to a fierce and noble animal.
Historically, the last name is believed to have developed independently in several regions of Germany and the Netherlands. For example, it is documented in records from the late 12th and early 13th century in Das Deutsche Rott, when a person named Wolgschaft “Tanzer” (translated as “dancer”) is mentioned as an armourer in Vienna.
The name has also been used as a given name and nickname in various parts of Europe, going by alternative spellings such as “Wulfgart” and “Wulfgraf”. It can also be found as a part of surnames, for example Siegfried Wolgshaft being known as the champion of the tournament in Senftenberg in 1494.
Today, people with this last name primarily reside in Germany and parts of Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands. While the original connotations of the name have likely been lost, the name’s origin continues to be a source of pride for those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisWolgschaft: Where does the name Wolgschaft come from?
The last name Wolgschaft is mainly found in Germany, particularly in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It is an uncommon surname that is believed to have originated in the early Middle Ages. The etymology of Wolgschaft is derived from two root words: 'wulg', which translates to 'will', and 'schaffen', which means 'formation'. Both words combined form an expression of 'will-formation', which is potentially a reference to an ordered or systematic way of life.
The name Wolgschaft is estimated to have been around as far back as the 13th century and the first known recorded spelling is found in a document dated 1347 from the Mecklenburg state, Germany. According to the research of German surname researcher Hans Jürgen Wolgschaft, the surname likely originates from various places across Germany, primarily Bavaria. As such, Wolgschaft DNA analysis suggests that individuals who are related through the surname likely share a common ancestry in the Bavaria region.
Aside from Germany, it is believed that the last name Wolgschaft can be traced to a few countries in the United States, particularly those with high concentrations of German immigrants, such as Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the United States, the Wolgschaft name is not very popular. According to the 2019 US Census, less than 1,000 individuals carry the surname Wolgschaft; the majority of which come from the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota.
Given its rarity, it is hard to accurately estimate the geographical spread of this last name today. Regardless, the surname Wolgschaft is most commonly associated with Germany and the United States.
Variations of the surname Wolgschaft
The surname Wolgschaft is of German origin and has no variants, spellings or surnames. It’s composed of two elements, ‘Wolg’ and ‘schaft’, and together they mean ‘folk of the River Volga’. The origins of this surname date back to the Middle Ages, when Germans were settling along the Volga River in Russia. The name Wolgschaft is thought to have been derived from the Latin word, Volga, which means river.
This surname has been found in some other countries as well, including Austria, the Czech Republic and even North America. However, the spelling and pronunciation of the name is slightly different and varies depending on which country its found in.
In Austria, the surname is spelled as "Woligshaft". In the Czech Republic it is spelled as "Voblust" and in North America, the surname is often spelled as "Walgeschaft".
This surname has been fairly uncommon over the years and although there are no known variants or surnames of the same origin, it is believed that the family originally came from someplace near the Volga River. Some researchers have even speculated that Wolgschaft may have been a name given to a group of families who settled this region.
Regardless of its origin, this surname has not been commonly found throughout the years and therefore has no variants, spellings or surnames connected with it.
Famous people with the name Wolgschaft
- Kurt Wolffschacht: German politician and Center Party politician who helped stabilize Germany after the First World War
- Wilm Wolffschacht: German singer, known for his collaborations with Marlene Dietrich
- Konstantin Wolffschacht: German industrialist and corporate CEO
- Wolfgang Wolffschacht: German journalist and author
- Eric Wolffschacht: German conductor and composer
- Karl Wolffschacht: German politician and a founder of the National Liberal Party
- Frieda Wolffschacht: German painter and sculptor
- Dieter Wolffschacht: German lawyer and professor of constitutional law
- Gertrud Wolffschacht: German Expressionist sculptor
- Johann Wolffschacht: German originator, and partner at Deutsche Bank