Surname Wölz - Meaning and Origin
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Wölz: What does the surname Wölz mean?
The surname Wölz is an occupational surname from Germany, meaning "fuller of cloth". It likely originated during the Middle Ages when cloth, like wool and linen, needed to be fulled, or thickened and cleansed, before it could be used to make fabric. This process would usually involve the use of water and soil, which was pounded or beaten to remove any dirt, grease or impurities before the cloth was rinsed clean. Once accomplished, the process would leave the cloth thicker, more durable, and stronger than it had been originally. A fuller was the person who carried out this task and shared the surname with those who employed him.
The "ö" in the surname is a character in German that makes an "er" sound and is pronounced more like "ur". Common locations for people with this surname include the German states of Bavaria, Hesse, and Baden-Wurttemberg, as well as Austria, Switzerland, and Alsace.
Over the centuries, Wölz has come to be a popular surname, with many variations such as Woelz, Wolz, Wulz, and its variants. While usually spelled Wölz, the surname can also be spelled Wolz or Wulz.
The coat of arms associated with the Wölz surname is a white shield with a green lion rampant on top. This symbolism represents the power of the family, and is derived from the “Landsknecht” – knighted German soldiers from the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisWölz: Where does the name Wölz come from?
The last name Wölz is most commonly found in Germany. Specifically, it is most common in the state of Baden-Württemberg, where about 600 people with the name live. This number is greater than other states in Germany. Beyond Germany, the name Wölz is found in other countries in Europe such as Austria, Switzerland, and Romania. In all these countries, the name Wölz is generally most prominent in rural areas, particularly in the area of the Black Forest in the state of Baden-Württemberg.
The name Wölz goes back centuries, first appearing in written records in the 14th century. At that time, families with the name Wölz were living near the village of Runz in the Black Forest. They almost certainly worked as farmers at this time and for many years in the centuries that followed. It wasn’t until much later, in the 19th century, that members of the Wölz family began to move to other regions, spreading the name and leading to the wider distribution of the name we see today.
It is also worth noting that the name Wölz has a number of variants in different countries. For instance, in Switzerland the name is often written as Wöhlz, while in Austria it is often written as Wölcz. Regardless of the spelling, all of these names are based on the same root.
Variations of the surname Wölz
The surname Wölz is a Germanic patronymic surname, derived from Völz, a diminutive variant of the name Volkstetten. It is a name customarily handed down from father to son, as patronymic surnames generally are. Variants of the surname Wölz include Volz, Wolz, Welz, Weltz, Weilz, Velz, Volze, and Wölzle.
The Wölz name is derived from the Old High German personal name, Volckmand, which is composed of the elements “volc” for people and “man” meaning man. This name was initially used to describe an individual who was respected in the community, since it literally meant “man of the people”. Eventually, the name was latinized and spelled Völz, Wölz, or Weltz.
Although the Wölz surname originated in Germany, it has spread throughout Europe. In France, for example, the surname is spelled Vals or Wals and has been used since the 1500s. In Switzerland, the spelling is Wolz and has been used since the 1800s. In Austria, the spelling is Weilz or Welz and was first recorded in the 16th century. In Hungary, a variant spelling of the name is Velz and was first seen in the 17th century.
The name Wölz has been synonymous with various professions, including shield makers, blacksmiths, and merchants. In some instances, the surname has been linked to multi-generation farming families in Germany and Austria, while in other cases it has been associated with numerous members of the medical profession in the United States and Canada.
Famous people with the name Wölz
- Harry Wölz (Austrian musician and actor)
- Wolfram Wölz (former professional footballer and current manager of German football club Borussia Mönchengladbach)
- Ludwig Wölz (Austrian biathlete)
- Jürgen Wölz (German footballer)
- August Wölz (18th-century Austrian artilleryman and Freemason)
- Helmut Wölz (former rally driver)
- Adolf Wölz (19th-century Austrian inventor and industrialist)
- Wilhelm Wölz (German World War I fighter ace)
- Willy Wölz (German composer and arranger for film and television)
- Josef Wölz (19th-century Austrian historian and professor)