Surname Wolske - Meaning and Origin
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Wolske: What does the surname Wolske mean?
The last name Wolske is of German origin, derived from the German words "wol" and "ske" meaning "Wolf" and "shed" respectively. It is believed that the name is derived from the profession or habitation of a person who kept wolves.
The earliest known reference to the name was in 1533, when a man named Johannes Wolske was recorded in Dresden, Germany. From this point onward, the name has been spread throughout Europe and North America. In the US alone, around 24,000 people currently bear the name.
The meaning of the name "Wolske" is usually associated with strength, courage and honor – qualities that were probably attributed to the wolf in Germanic culture and which are still associated with the name today. Wolfske is also thought to mean “bold, daring or strong one” which is also an apt description for the family who bears the name.
In addition to being a recognized surname, "Wolske" is also associated with the region of Silesia just southeast of Germany, as families from this area tend to carry the name. This region is part of the former Kingdom of Bohemia and was largely populated by German-speaking people. Some current members of the Wolske family have traced their ancestral origin to this part of Europe.
Overall, the last name Wolske is an apt symbol of strength, courage and honor, as well as an indication of an ancient family's geographical origin.
Order DNA origin analysisWolske: Where does the name Wolske come from?
According to Ancestry.com, the last name Wolske is most commonly found in the United States. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau found that the name is particularly common in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
In Wisconsin, Wolske can be found along the Fox River in the northeastern part of the state. Closely correlated with the counties of Outagamie, Brown, Winnebago, and Calumet, many Wolske families can be found in the small towns of Neenah, Appleton, and Menasha.
In Minnesota, the name can primarily be seen in the Twin Cities metro area and the southwestern parts of the state, in counties like Brown, Redwood, Pope, Swift, and Kandiyohi.
In Illinois, the name is most common in the northeastern part of the state, including the counties of Lake, Kankakee, McHenry, Kane, and McDonough. Towns like Schaumburg, Elgin, and Hoffman Estates are all host to many Wolske ancestors.
Wolske is also particularly common in Nebraska, where it is located in the southeastern part in the counties of Nemaha and Richardson. It is also common in South Dakota, in the counties of Brookings, Moody, and Minnehaha.
Overall, the last name Wolske is most commonly found in the Midwestern United States, particularly Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota. It is associated with the Fox River Valley in Wisconsin and has ancestry that can be traced to many counties throughout the Midwest.
Variations of the surname Wolske
The surname Wolske has many variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin. Variants include Wolsek, Wolsk, Wolskie, Wolsske, Woulske, Woulskie, Welsske, and Wellske.
Wolske is a German-derived surname, which can also be found in many other European countries. It is especially common in Central Europe and Eastern Europe. Wolske is derived from the Old German words "wol" and "rike" – these words mean "power" and "kingdom" or "empire" respectively.
In German, Wolske is spelled Wolsek. It is also spelled Wolsske in Polish, and Woulske in Dutch. In some cases, the surname may be spelled "Wolskie". This is particularly common in Poland.
In Scotland, the surname may be spelled Wellske. Wellske is a variant form of Wolske which likely originated in Scotland. According to records, the Wellske family was first noted in Renfrewshire, says the Historical Research Center.
Wolske can also be found in some areas of the United States, with families originating from Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands being the most common. Variants such as Wolsk, Wolskie, Welsske, and Wellske are also common in America.
Famous people with the name Wolske
- Colleen Wolske: A YouTuber well-known for her channel “Colleen Vlogs”.
- Jeff Wolske: An American comedian and actor.
- John Wolske: A former professional ice hockey player.
- Kate Wolske: An American interior designer.
- Nicole Wolske: A German-American visual artist and designer.
- Payton Wolske: A contemporary artist and art director from California.
- Rick Wolske: A former professional ice hockey player.
- Rob Wolske: An American author and entrepreneur.
- Ryan Wolske: A former American baseball player.
- Rick Wolske: An American actor, stand-up comedian, screenwriter, and internet personality.
- Michael Wolske: An American theologian and professor at Southern Methodist University.
- Erika Wolske: American choreographer and contemporary dancer.
- John Wolske: Award winning writer, director, and executive producer.
- Jürgen Wolske: A West German musician and producer.
- Caitlin Wolske: An American contemporary artist and author.
- Jan Wolske: German journalist, author, and television presenter.
- Martin Wolske: An American business executive.
- Joe Wolske: A professional wrestler currently signed to WWE’s NXT brand.