Surname Woolfe - Meaning and Origin
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Woolfe: What does the surname Woolfe mean?
The last name Woolfe is of English origin, and is derived from an old English word meaning "wolf". It is believed to have been adopted as a surname by descendants of people who had a fierce reputation, or an affinity with wolves.
The earliest records of the name Woolfe identify it with a town in Norfolk, England, which suggests it may have originated in that area as well. Other records from later centuries include various spellings of the name, including Woolf, Wolfe, and Wulff, with the spelling Woolfe being one of the most common.
The Woolfe family is associated with many notable figures, such as Virginia Woolf, a modernist author who was part of the Bloomsbury Group; Arthur Woolfe, who was a member of the English Parliament in the 1600s; and composer Tobias Woolfe, who was a harpsichordist for King George II.
No matter how the name Woolfe is spelled, it can be seen as a sign of strength and courage, since it is derived from the old English word for wolf. Those with this last name may attribute certain qualities associated with wolves to themselves, such as ambition, loyalty, and intelligence.
Order DNA origin analysisWoolfe: Where does the name Woolfe come from?
The last name Woolfe is quite uncommon today, but is still found in many English speaking countries. The name is mostly associated with British ancestry and typically originates from England, Wales and Scotland.
The name can be traced back to the 13th century when many variations of the name were recorded as part of the Norman Invasion under William the Conqueror in 1066. While the spelling has changed over the years, the name's original derivation is believed to have come from the Old English words “wulf” and “hulle” meaning “wolf” and “hill”.
Woolfe remains a relatively uncommon surname and there is no specific geographical area where it is concentrated. However, records show that it is increasingly popular in England and Wales and has been since the late 19th century. Records also show that Woolfe is popular in the US and Canada, especially among those whose ancestors are of British descent.
Overall, the Woolfe surname is still found today, although it is quite rare. For those with British ancestry, it is possible to trace the name further back in time to its origins, which puts into perspective its long history and its prevalence today.
Variations of the surname Woolfe
The surname Woolfe is an ancient English and Irish surname of patronymic origin. It is derived from the personal name Wolf and can be spelled Woolf, Wolfe, Wolf, Woolfe, Wolfie, Woolfie, Wulf, Woulfe, Woulf, Ulfe, Wulfe, Wolfe, Woolvey, Woolvie, and Wulves. In Ireland, the surname is most commonly found in County Limerick and can be anglicized from the Gaelic “MacUalraig” or “MacMallraigh”.
The earliest documented spellings of the Woolfe surname includes forms of “Wulf” which appeared in records dated before 1100. The Records of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk list Wulf toffes in 1342. The Records of New College, Oxford (1391) list John Wulf, and he also appears in the records of the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk (1524).
In Ireland, the surname Woolfe is commonly associated with the Wolfe family of County Limerick. The Wolfes of Limerick trace their history to Richard de Wolfe, a Norman Sire who is recorded as being in Ireland at the end of the 11th century.
The Woolfe surname is also from two Hugorian Tribes from Germany, known as the Ulfen, and the Wulfings. The Ulfen were a tribe from the late Roman period who lived in an area that is now Germany and Denmark who were associated with the god Odin. The Wulfings were a tribe which combines the Ulfen and two other tribes who settled in the modern day state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northern Germany.
Today, the Woolfe surname is found in England, Ireland and Germany. It is also present in parts of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, where it is a result of immigration from Europe.
Famous people with the name Woolfe
- Rebecca Woolfe: British business and media executive
- Lewis Woolfe: American Marine Corps veteran and politician
- Virginia Woolfe: one of the most important modernist authors of the 20th century
- Lyall Woolfe: British businessman and Chair of the Institute of Directors
- Joanna Woolfe: British actress well-known for her role on the BBC soap opera East Enders
- Elliott Woolfe: British actor, writer, and social media creator
- Stephanie Woolfe: British actress, best known for her roles on the popular medical dramas Casualty and Holby City
- Chloe Woolf: English reality television personality
- Robert Woolfe: American political strategist and lobbyist
- Eric Woolfe: Canadian artist specialising in puppetry theatre and visual media