Surname Wollin - Meaning and Origin

Wollin: What does the surname Wollin mean?

The last name Wollin originates from Germany. Although its spelling has changed over the centuries - typically from "Woll" and "Wollan" - the name is considered a variation of the Old Germanic word "walah," meaning "foreigner." The name became an official family name in the 13th and 14th centuries and is German-speaking regions such as Prussia, Silesia, Hesse, Baden, and Pomerania.

The origin of the name symbolise the occupations of many of its early bearers, who tended to be migratory wood millers and traffickers in timber and lumbar. The German and Swedish forms of the name, Wollin and Wallin respectively, were also particularly common among maritime personnel and merchants, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries; those bearing the name often sailed and traded around the Baltic Sea.

Today, the surname Wollin is commonly found across Germany, as well as Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. In the United States, there are several branches of the Wollin family originating from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, with the highest concentrations of people bearing the name found in Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

Overall, the surname Wollin reflects the drive and determination of those first bearers of the name in the Middle Ages, who left their mark on the history of Germany and the wider world.

Wollin: Where does the name Wollin come from?

The last name Wollin is most common today in parts of Europe, particularly in northern Germany. Specifically, the last name Wollin is most often found in the German states of Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, as well as in the Swedish county of Västra Götaland.

The surname Wollin is generally thought to be German in origin and is derived from a small town called Wollin, which is located near the city of Greifswald in northeastern Germany. In fact, this small town is considered to be the ancestral home of the entire Wollin family.

In addition to Germany and Sweden, the last name Wollin is also found in various other countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The name is also thought to have a significant presence in parts of Latin America, particularly in Brazil, Venezuela, and Argentina.

In total, it is estimated that over the course of the 20th century, the Wollin family name has spread to over 25 countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Wollin

The surname Wollin has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the surname are Wollen, Wolle and Wallen. Other variants include Woring, Wollensack, Wollerscheid and Wollinck.

The variant Wollen is believed to have originated in the Netherlands, derived from the Patronymic name which means son of Wold or Wol. Wollen was also used as a term to mean a brown-haired or reddish-haired person.

The spelling Wolle came from Germany and is derived from the German word ‘wolle’ which means wool. In German, the surname means ‘one who worked with wool’.

The Wallen variant is an English spelling of Wollen and has the same origin. The Wallen surname has been found mainly in England and Scotland.

The Woring variant originated in Germany and is derived from the German word ‘wor’ which means wildlife. The theory is that it was used by a person who worked in the hunting or trapping of animals.

The Wollensack variant is a variant of Wollen and it is derived from the German word ‘wollensack’ which means wool sack. It is believed to have been used by a person who worked in the wool trade.

The Wollerscheid and Wollinck variants are both German surnames and derived from the German word ‘woll’ meaning wool.

In summary, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wollin include Wollen, Wolle, Wallen, Woring, Wollensack, Wollerscheid and Wollinck.

Famous people with the name Wollin

• Stella Wollin: Swedish fashion designer, creative director and brand ambassador.
• Mike Wollin: MLB pitcher, played for the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals.
• Christopher Wollin: American actor and writer, known for roles in films such as Going Berserk and How to Make Love to a Woman.
• Anneli Wollin: Swedish actress, best known for her starring role in the television series Rederiet.
• Lena Wollin: Swedish Olympic equestrian, won bronze medal in team dressage at 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
• Roland Wollin: German-born American chemical engineer, professor, and author of multiple award-winning books on applied mathematics.
• Emma Wollin: Swedish singer-songwriter, won the "New Artist of the Year" award at the 2020 Swedish Music Awards.
• Frey Wollin: Swedish comedian and film maker, co-creator and host of the late night talk show Nattlivet.
• Bridget Wollin: British model, former Miss UK, represented the UK in the Miss World pageant in 2003.
• Eric Wollin: Canadian writer and illustrator, creator of the syndicated comic strip "Ziggy Mice".

Other surnames

Wolliston