Surname Wölker - Meaning and Origin
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Wölker: What does the surname Wölker mean?
The last name Wölker is a German occupational surname, derived from the Middle Low German "wölkere", meaning "fuller of cloth," or the cloth-maker. The fulling cloth was done in a process which involved the pressing and felting of the cloth to make it thicker and softer.
Wölker is a very old German name, first appearing in records dating back to the 16th century. It is most common in the northeastern part of the country, such as in Saxony, Brandenburg, and Berlin. The Wölker last name was also found in the south in Bavaria and Thuringia.
There are numerous other place-specific variations to Wölker around Germany. Examples of these include Wölk in Saxony or Wölkerling and Wölkner in Bavaria. In some parts of the country, the name has been simplified to Wölke or Wilke.
The Wölker family can also be found in other parts of Europe, especially areas that have traditionally been part of the German-speaking world. Examples include the town of Wölkau in Poland and the Hungarian surname Wellke.
In America, the Wölker surname appears in records dating back to the early 19th century, with many families having emigrated from Germany and other parts of Europe. The Wölker family most likely settled in the Mid-Atlantic states, Midwestern states, and many other parts of the country.
To this day, the Wölker family is widely found throughout Germany and other parts of Europe, and more recently, in the United States. It’s a name that carries with it a proud tradition and is one that has been around for hundreds of years.
Order DNA origin analysisWölker: Where does the name Wölker come from?
The last name Wölker is predominantly found in Germany and Austria with slight variations in spelling (such as Wölker and Wolker). In Germany, Wölker is concentrated in the regions of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hessen. In Austria, Wölker is more prominent in the southern part of the country, including the Vienna area.
In terms of other countries, the name Wölker is most commonly found in Switzerland, Benelux, France, the United States and Canada. Switzerland has the highest concentration of Wölker outside of Germany and Austria, primarily found in the cantons of Zurich and Geneva. The Benelux countries, particularly Belgium, are home to a substantial number of people with the name Wölker. Wölker is also found in large numbers in France, especially in the regions of Alsace and Lorraine.
Owing to the emigration of Germans and Austrians, the name Wölker has become quite common in the United States and Canada. In the U.S., it is most notably found in the Midwestern states, such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. In Canada, Wölker is found in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, particularly in the city of Toronto.
Overall, while the name Wölker has German and Austrian roots, its true reach encompasses all of Europe and North America.
Variations of the surname Wölker
The surname Wölker is derived from the German surname "Volker," which is derived from a perceived Germanic personal name formed from the words "folca" and "heri," meaning "people" and "army" respectively. The variants of Wölker include Walcher, Volcker, Wolcker, Wolker, Walkker, Walkher, Wallker, Wagler, Walch, Walcher, and Volkert.
The spelling variations for Wölker encompass several distinct regional dialects and subgroups. In Germany, the surname is found in its original spelling as Wölker, as well as Walch, Walcher, Wagler, Volkert, and Volcker. In Austria, the spelling variation "Wölker" is often seen, as well as Walkher, Walch, Wallker, and Wolker. In Switzerland, the surname is commonly seen spelled as Wölker, Volker, Walkher, and Wolcker.
Other surnames that are considered to be of similar origin, or have derived from the Wölker surname, include Volkert, Volka, Volchen, Volchem, Walkhäuser, Volckmar, Volckerth, Volkerth, Walck, Walcker, Walkhoff, Wolkert, Wolkers, Wolkersdorf, and Wolkenberg.
Famous people with the name Wölker
- Erik Wölker: Contemporary German Expressionist artist with works in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Museum Ludwig in Germany.
- Johannes Wölker: 15th century German sculptor and carver.
- Wilhelm Wölker: German botanist and entomologist who did extensive field work in various countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
- Ursula Wölker: German couple skater who regularly competed in both ladies and pair skating competitions from 1952 to 1955.
- Alina Wölker: Miss Germany 2018 and Miss Universe Germany 2018.
- Bruno Wölker: German actor and television presenter.
- Christoph Wölker: German actor, director, and screenwriter.
- Britta Wölker: German sound engineer and sound artist whose work has been used in films, television shows, commercials, and music festivals.
- Nils Wölker: German music producer and songwriter.
- Stefan Wölker: German lawyer and politician currently serving as a Member of Parliament for the Christian Democratic Union.