Surname Wolperding - Meaning and Origin
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Wolperding: What does the surname Wolperding mean?
The last name Wolperding (or Wolperdinger in some regions) is a German surname with roots in the southern region of Germany near the Bavarian border. It is an occupational surname, derived from the Middle High German word "wolpert", meaning "a person who boxes or packs goods".
The surname Wolperding dates back to the 16th century when it was first recorded in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. The development of occupational surnames was a common occurrence during this era, as most people were illiterate and a surname was the only way to identify a person in court or other legal documents.
Since then, the name has been spread across Europe. It is still a very popular name in both Germany and Austria, where it is spelled "Wolperdinger". In other countries, such as the United States and Canada, the spelling has been Anglicized to "Wolperding".
In modern times, the significance of the name Wolperding has changed. It is not associated exclusively with a specific occupation, but rather with a sense of German-speaking heritage and family roots. In today's culture, the name represents a strong, proud and reliable family of Germanic descent.
Order DNA origin analysisWolperding: Where does the name Wolperding come from?
The last name Wolperding is most commonly found in Germany today. It is believed to have originated from a place called Wolperding that was located in the German state of Bavaria. The place is no longer in existence as it was destroyed during the Thirty Years War in the 1600s. The Wolperding family name could have been derived either from the ruined city, a person living close to it, or a place near it that had a similar name.
It is likely that some of the descendants of the Wolperdings spread out around the region of what is now modern Germany. Some may have even moved further afield, thus leading to Wolperding families living abroad. Notable members of the Wolperding family include Horst Wolperding, a German politician and soldier who served in WWII, and Martin Wolperding, a German sculptor and painter.
The Wolperding surname can still be found in Germany and other countries today. In Germany, records show that the majority of the population with the last name Wolperding live in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. This is followed by Bavaria and Lower Saxony. The numbers are relatively small compared to other more common last names in Germany, but that shouldn't make the Wolperding surname any less important.
Variations of the surname Wolperding
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wolperding is Wolpert, Wolpping, and Wölpper. These surnames are all derived from the Middle High German word “wolper” which translates to “little hill,” making the surname literally mean “from the little hill.”
The different spellings and surnames were created as a result of the evolution of the language over time. For example, the spelling Wölpper is a result of German umlauting, which is the process of changing the vowels of a word to add emphasis. Moreover, other spelling variations developed due to different pronunciation among dialects across Germany.
In the United States, the spellings of both Wolpert and Wolperding are seen as not only having roots in the same origin, but also having the same meaning of “from the little hill.” This is because Wolpert and Wolperding were both common surnames in the early immigration of German-speaking peoples to the U.S.
The variant spelling Wolpping is also found in both Germany and the U.S. and is derived from the same origin as the other spellings.
The use of the three spellings and surnames can be seen in the 16th century church books of German regions such as Prussia, the Netherlands, and other parts of Europe. Wolpping was the most commonly used spelling at this time, followed by Wolpert and then Wolperding.
The surname Wolperding can be found in the past and present with spellings such as Wolpert, Wolpping, and Wölpper, all of which have the same origin and meaning of “from the little hill.” This is just one example of how language and surnames have evolved over time and are still recognizable today.
Famous people with the name Wolperding
- Richard Wolperding: Comedian and Actor
- Mark Wolperding: Businessman and Writer
- Curtis Wolperding: Professional Wrestler
- Eva Wolperding: Author
- John Wolperding: Football Player
- Julia Wolperding: Archaeologist
- Thomas Wolperding: Musician
- Carla Wolperding: Art Collector
- Paula Wolperding: Social Worker
- David Wolperding: Philosopher