Surname Woolfork - Meaning and Origin

Woolfork: What does the surname Woolfork mean?

The last name Woolfork is of English origin. It is a habitational name derived from Wolferthorn, a place in Cheshire, England, near Audlem. It is believed that this location was so named due to wild wolves that populated the area in the past.

The name Woolfork originates from two Old English words, "wulf," which means wolf, and "furthorn," which means thorn-brake, or thicket. This is consistent with the location of its origin being full of wild wolves. As these wolves were treacherous, those who established themselves in the area were given the name Woolfork as a descriptor of their bravery.

The name Woolfork is typically seen as a strong-willed and hard-working surname, and it is suggested that it carries overtones of decency and strong character. Woolfork is a fairly rare surname; there are less than 200 occurrences of it in the United States, according to the US Census Bureau. Additionally, the surname Woolfork has several accepted spellings, including Woolfurth, Wulffurth, Woolfore, Woolford, Wulfert, Woulfert, and Woolverton.

Overall, the surname Woolfork is derived from a place that once housed wild wolves, and is seen as a description of the bravery and strength associated with the original settlers of the area.

Woolfork: Where does the name Woolfork come from?

The last name Woolfork is not particularly common in either the United States or the United Kingdom. However, it does appear throughout the southeastern part of the United States which includes areas from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This suggests that the origin of this name is likely from the British Isles, as many of these states were settled by British colonists.

The name is uncommon but still not rare. A search for "Woolfork" on Facebook returned over 33,000 people who share the last name, and a search on Ancestry.com returns over a thousand entries of people who have the name in the records.

Throughout the last two centuries, it appears that the name has not had a major migratory pattern and has stayed in the Southeast. In the early 20th century, the family name primarily comes from North Carolina and Virginia. In the 21st century, woolfork is common mainly in the rural areas of these states, primarily the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and rural parts of North Carolina and Georgia.

Overall, the Woolfork last name is primarily associated with the southeastern states of the United States, and there is evidence to suggest that the name may have originated in the British Isles. The name is not particularly common, but it is not rare either, especially in areas such as the Eastern Shore of Virginia and rural parts of North Carolina and Georgia.

Variations of the surname Woolfork

The Woolfork surname has a variety of variant spellings and surnames stemming from the same origin. These variants include Woolfork, Woolfur, Woolforke, Woolfert, Woolferk, Woolfark, Woolfarke, Woolfarkes, and Woolfurg.

The Woolfork surname originated in England. It is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is an occupational name for a man involved in the production of woollen cloth, derived from the Middle English terms ‘wulle’ (wool) and ‘forke’ (fork). In medieval times, a weaver would have used a fork-like tool to hold the bobbins in which the woollen threads were wound. The Woolfork surname would therefore describe a person who worked with wool.

In some cases, Woolfork may be a habitational surname, derived from any of the various places in England having ‘wool’ in their name, for example Wool in Hampshire, Wool in Wiltshire, Woolaigh in Cornwall, Woolall in Devon, and Woolaston in Gloucestershire.

The Woolfork family name is known to have been historically associated with Norfolk and could well be a corruption of Wolfork, a variant of which is found in a 1386 deed in Selden in Norfolk. Derivatives of Wolfork include Woolfurs, Woolferks, Woolfarks, and Woolfarges.

There is also evidence from the records of a ‘Water and William Woolferke’ in Warwickshire, England in the 15th century, and a William Woolforek of Notton in Yorkshire, England in 1691.

All of these variations and surnames can be traced back to the same origin of the Woolfork surname, commonly associated with the working of wool in medieval England.

Famous people with the name Woolfork

• Vashti Woolfork: American activist, organizer, and motivational speaker.
• Devin Woolfork: Major League Baseball infielder formerly with the Baltimore Orioles.
• Ashlei Woolfork: American television presenter and actress who appeared in My9-Theater, Let’s Dance, and Lemonade.
• Yaz Woolfork: Film Actress best known for her roles in The Butler, In the Mix, and Girlfriends.
• Pisano Woolfork: American author best known for his first novel, Once in Summerland.
• Madison Woolfork: Former track and field athlete who has competed in medleys and relays.
• Sterling Woolfork: American musician specializing in guitar, bass guitar, and trombone.
• Mareda Woolfork: American author and romance writer.
• Hatur Rossy Woolfork: American living artist who specializes in creative oil paintings and specializes abstract.
• Shania Woolfork: British television presenter and former model who hosted several television programs in the UK.

Other surnames

WoolfolkWoolford