Surname Wöllner - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wöllner: What does the surname Wöllner mean?
The last name Wöllner is a German surname, derived from the words "wohl" and "ner", meaning well spring or source of water. The name was first recorded in the 13th Century in the area of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany. In those days the name was recorded as Wöllenre, and it was a common name in the region.
The last name can be interpreted in two ways. The first refers to the historical context of its origin, suggesting it means someone who lives near a well. In other words, it implies that the owner of the surname was from a poor or rural area as wells were usually found in such places. The second interpretation is that it implies the owner of the surname was of good character as the word 'wohl' can also mean "prosperous". In that case, it would refer to a respected family that was doing well.
Over time, the surname underwent a number of variations, such as Wöllnere, Wöllnerin, Wöllnere, and Wöllnermann. The Wöllner spelling has become the most common today.
It is not known how the original Wöllner family inherited the surname, although it is likely that a member of the family, who wanted to distinguish himself from others with the same surname, chose the name Wöllner as a variation.
Today there are many people around the world with the name Wöllner, and it is a powerful and respectable name that will continue to be passed down for many generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisWöllner: Where does the name Wöllner come from?
The last name Wöllner is most commonly found in Germany and other German-speaking nations, particularly in the region of Northern and Central Europe. This surname is associated with the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, with Wöllner-named villages found in the nearby states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Thuringia.
The Wöllner surname is particularly popular when looking at German telephone directories, as well as social and civil security records. In fact, records show that the last name influx in the early 1900s in German-speaking countries was mainly attributed to the influx of Jews escaping from Eastern Europe.
The Wöllner surname can also be found in nearby countries like Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Scandanavia. It is also relatively common among first nations in the United States, mainly concentrated in the Midwest and Appalachia.
Despite the strength of the Wöllner surname in Germany, records indicate that there are still fewer Wöllner families compared to other surnames. This lower percentage could unfortunately be attributed to displaced persons succumbing to the horrors of World War II. Today, the last name Wöllner provides a sense of connection to a shared history and provides a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of a vibrant culture.
Variations of the surname Wöllner
The surname Wöllner has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants are Wollner, Wollener, Wollne, Wöllnere, and Wollenauer. Other rarer spellings include Woln, Wollenberg, Wöllene, and Wöllling.
The surname Wöllner is likely derived from Germanic personal names which were built from the elements “wol(l)” meaning “renowned” and “ner” meaning “hearted” or “courageous.” Therefore, the name could have originally meant “renowned and courageous heart.”
Variants of the surname are popular in Germany and the Czech Republic. In Germany, spellings such as Wollner and Wöllner are more frequent, while in Czech Republic, Wöllenauer and Wöllnere are the most common variations.
The surname is also found in the United States, Canada, and other countries where immigrants from these countries have settled. In the United States, the name is most often spelled as Wöllner, Wollner, or Wollener.
The regularization of spelling and surnames during the Industrial Revolution and modernization of Europe have led to various regional variations. However, in many places, original spellings such as Wöllner, Wollner, and Wöllnere are still seen today.
Famous people with the name Wöllner
- Veit Wöllner: German entrepreneur and owner of Wöllner GmbH Co. KG, the world’s first supplier of rhythmic gymnastics equipment.
- Christiane Wöllner: German actress, best known for her role in the television series Verbotene Liebe.
- August Wöllner: German painter and graphic artist, known for his portraits and fantastical scenes.
- Anke Wöllner: German politician, representing the CDU, who served as a member of the Bundestag from 2005 to 2013.
- Christine Wöllner: German Olympic sprinter and gold medalist at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
- Wilhelm Wöllner: German baritone, known for his roles in operas such as The Magic Flute and Tannhäuser.
- Günther Wöllner: German writer, best known for his novel Cockfighting, which won him the Eichendorff Literature Prize in 1950.
- Herta Wöllner: Austrian journalist and anti-Nazi activist, who wrote several books on the German Resistance.
- Alexander Wöllner: German actor, known for his role in the film Die Blechtrommel.
- Claire Wöllner: German journalist, editor and author, who wrote several books on the history of East Germany.