Surname Wolpers - Meaning and Origin
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Wolpers: What does the surname Wolpers mean?
Wolpers is a German surname indicating origins from Westphalia (Westfalen) in Germany. It is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name “Wulfa,” and the suffix “-er”, which was given to those with the same or similar first name. It is believed that the Wolpers name signifies those with wolf-like characteristics.
The Wolpers first established themselves in the area of Westphalia in the 15th century, when closely related families began to coalesce around a particular area. As a result, several major branches branched out and populated various parts of Germany and beyond.
This family name is relatively rare, with the most frequent concentration of the Wolpers surname in the modern day being located in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Lower Saxony and Bavaria. Members of this family also settled in other countries such as the United States, Canada, England and Australia.
The Wolpers have made their mark in history, with prominent examples such as successful businesspeople, politicians, writers, scientists and athletes bearing the surname. Notable Wolpers include German entrepreneur Will Wolpers, Russian journalist and politician Anatoly Wolpers, and American celebrity chef, restaurateur and philanthropist Wolfgang Puck, who has the maiden name Wolpers.
Overall, the Wolpers surname has a rich and varied origins and can be found all over the world amongst individuals who trace their heritage back to Westphalia in Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisWolpers: Where does the name Wolpers come from?
The last name Wolpers is most commonly found in the Netherlands, especially in the north of the country. It is believed to be of Dutch origin, but there are some who trace the name back to Germanic roots. The surname has spread to other countries, such as England, Canada, and the United States.
In the Netherlands, the name Wolpers is particularly well-known in small communities within the provinces of Overijssel, Gelderland, Noord-Brabant, and Limburg. These are regions near the eastern and southern borders of the Netherlands. It is also quite common in the province of Friesland, and the cities of Groningen and Leeuwarden.
In the United States, the last name is most prevalent on the East Coast in states such as New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. It is also more common in the southern states of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia.
The name Wolpers is also found in Canada, mainly in Ontario and British Columbia. In the United Kingdom, the name is most commonly found in London, but it can also be found scattered across England, Scotland, and Wales.
It is estimated that there are currently around 15-20 thousand people around the world with the last name Wolpers. Many descendants of this family still live in Europe, including the Netherlands, Germany, France, England, and other countries.
Variations of the surname Wolpers
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wolpers are as follows: Woler, Wolpersen, Wollers, Wollersen, Wollpersen, Wolpers, Wolpersson, Wolpert, Wolperts, Wülpers, Wülpersen.
The surname Wolpers is of German, Dutch and Scandinavian origin and derived from the Middle German word ‘wulper’, which means ‘one who moves in a circle’. It is a habitational name, taking its origin from Wulpe or Wolpe, a place in the former Duchy of Saxony and today a part of the province of Lower Saxony.
The spelling of the name has changed over time with the most common spelling today being Wolpers. Other variants in the early times included Wolperts and Wollers. During the 17th century, the Swedish spelling of the surname became popular, with variants such as Wülpers.
In some instances, the surnames are also spelled with a double ‘p’, such as Wollpersen, or a double 's', such as Wolpersson, which can also be found in some areas.
The name Wolpers is still common in Germany and Scandinavia, but is also found around the world in countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, mostly among people of European-origin.
Famous people with the name Wolpers
- Rich Wolpers: Former professional ice hockey player
- Martin Wolpers: Actor, writer, composer
- Bill Wolpers: Motorsports journalist
- Wolfgang Wolpers: Computer scientist and AI researcher
- Jon Wolfers: Professional golfer
- Eva Wolpers: German author
- Isabell Wolpers: German journalist
- Bernhard Wolpers: Business entrepreneur
- Mike Wolpers: American singer-songwriter
- Johannes Wolpers: German modern pentathlete