Surname Wollherr - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wollherr: What does the surname Wollherr mean?
The last name Wollherr is of German origin. It is composed of two elements, which indicate the type of person the name originated from. The first element, “Wolle”, is derived from the German word “Wolle”, meaning wool or fabric. This most likely indicates that the original bearer of the name Wollherr worked in the textile industry. The second element, “Herr”, is derived from the German word for master or lord and likely indicates that the original bearer of the name was a well-to-do landowner or merchant.
The surname Wollherr was common throughout Central Europe in the Middle Ages. During this time, wool was a major industry in Germany and its surrounding regions, and many of those who worked in the industry were prosperous merchants and landowners. The last name Wollherr was likely adopted by one of these wealthy individuals as a testament to their occupation and financial status.
Today, the last name Wollherr is still found in Germany and other countries in Central Europe. Those who bear this last name can trace their ancestry back to a prosperous ancestor who worked in the wool textile industry.
Order DNA origin analysisWollherr: Where does the name Wollherr come from?
The last name Wollherr is most commonly found today in Germany. It is spread throughout various regions of the country, but it is most concentrated in the central states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. According to surname statistics, the Wollherr surname is the 831st most common German surname. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, France, and the United States.
The earliest known records of the Wollherr surname date back to the 1500s in Bavaria. Since then, hundreds of people with this surname have contributed to the history of Germany in politics, science, and the arts. Prominent historical figures with the Wollherr surname include the physicist Johann Wilhelm Friedrich Wollherr, the doctor and philosopher Johann Wollherr, and the painter Georg Wollherr.
Today, the Wollherr surname is most often found in rural farming areas in the center of Germany. Although the family originated in Bavaria, the Wollherr surname is no longer confined to that region, so there are many Wollherrs living throughout the country. In addition, many Wollherrs have left Germany and established new homes abroad in places like the United States, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere in Europe.
Variations of the surname Wollherr
The surname Wollherr is an old German occupational name, referring either to a sheep herder or to a wool dyer. It is also an alternate spelling of Wöllherr, which is a more common spelling of the same name. The variants for Wollherr include Wöllherr, Woehlherr, Welherr, Wolherr, Woellherr, Wohlerr, Wallharr, Wahlherr, Velherr, Wellherr, Velher, and Wallharrer.
In addition to other surnames of the same origin, other variants of the name Wollherr are Wohler, Woeller, Wueller, Waller, Weler, Waler, Willer, and Woller. Wohlers and Wohlers are also variants of this name found primarily in Germany, while Woellers and Waellers are associated with Switzerland. Wollers is also a more modern spelling of the name.
The usage of these different spellings is largely regional, with some spelling variations favored in certain locations. For instance, while Wohlherr is more often seen in the state of Hesse, Woellherr is more common in Bavaria. Moreover, a French variant of the name, Walles, has also been recorded.
In some cases, the spelling of the surname may have also been changed or adapted after having been adopted by immigrants in other countries. Thus, some of the same surnames could represent different origins, such as the Dutch variant of Wollherr, Wolharrers, or the English variant of Woolrera.
Overall, given its German origin, Wollherr is a relatively old and established surname and therefore has many different spellings and variants.
Famous people with the name Wollherr
- Catharina von Wollherr: Catharina was a German composer of the early Baroque era and a close friend of Johann Sebastian Bach.
- Richard von Wollherr: Richard was a German tradesman and a member of the renowned von Wollherr family, mainly known for their influence in the 16th century.
- Henry Wollherr: Henry was a German theologian and author, often described as the father of German Reformed Protestantism.
- Charlotte von Wollherr: Charlotte was a German painter, mainly producing religious artwork.
- Philipp Wollherr von Koenigsmark: Philipp was a German statesman and field marshal in the 16th century, serving under Emperor Rudolf II.
- King Louis von Wollherr: King Louis was a German holy Roman Emperor and ruler of the Franconian Empire in the 16th century.
- Cristina von Wollherr-Romani: Cristina was a German actress and singer, who achieved fame throughout Europe specially during the Baroque era.
- Rudolph von Wollherr: Rudolph was a German scientist and biologist, who contributed to the exploration of the North Sea.
- Wilhelm von Wollherr: Wilhelm was a German mathematician and astronomer, who wrote several glossy textbooks on celestial navigation.
- Hanne Wollherr: Hanne was a German writer, novelist and journalist.