Surname Wulfern - Meaning and Origin
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Wulfern: What does the surname Wulfern mean?
Wulfern is a Germanic surname derived from the personal name Wulf. It is believed to have originated on the east coast of the Baltic, and is found in parts of Northern Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark. The first recorded use of the name Wulfern is from the 10th century, when the first reference to the name was made in a document written in Low German.
The name Wulfern is derived from the Old High German word “wulf,” which was used to refer to any wolflike creature. It may also have been derived from the Proto-Germanic “wulfą,” meaning “wolf.”
The meaning of the name Wulfern is thought to be “wolf strength” or “wolf's power.” It carries a connotation of strength and protection. As a surname, it is thought to be associated with powerful or brave individuals.
Throughout German history, individuals with the surname Wulfern have been praised for their courage, strength, and ferocity. Whether this is an accurate representation of the original meaning is uncertain, but the name has been used positively to recognise bravery and courage. The name Wulfern may also have been used to elicit respect from those of the medieval period, as many believed that wolves were powerful symbols of strength.
In present day, the surname Wulfern is relatively uncommon. It symbolises strength and power, and evokes a sense of courage and bravery. This surname is likely to carry a similar connotation for those who carry it even today.
Order DNA origin analysisWulfern: Where does the name Wulfern come from?
The last name Wulfern is found predominantly in Germany today. Approximately 1 out of every 41,320 people in Germany are known to bear the last name Wulfern.
The Wulfern family first began in medieval Germany where records show that a man called Wolfram, who was from the family of Wirich, used the last name Wulfern as an altered form of his original name. His son Meinhard then adopted Wulfern as his permanent last name, and over time, other members of his family adopted it as well. By the early 1800s, the Wulfern family was scattered throughout Germany.
Today, many Wulfern descendants are still concentrated in Germany, particularly in the areas of Bavaria, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and Saxony. It is also possible to trace the Wulfern family to countries outside of Germany, particularly in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Wulfern family is still a strong presence in Germany today, with descendants bearing the last name now found in several German cities, including Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, Essen, and Dortmund.
Variations of the surname Wulfern
The surname Wulfern is an Anglicized version of the Germanic name Wulfer. It is derived from the Germanic elements wulf meaning ‘wolf’ and hari meaning ‘army’. Variants of the surname include Wolfer, Wolfen, Wolfern, Wulfer, Wulfern, and Woolfer. Anglicized forms of the surname include Wolfarm, Wolfram, Woolfenden, Woofendorf, Woolfert, and Wolfred.
Spellings of Wulfern include Wulfing, Wulferm, Wulfram, and Wulfrun. One form of the surname is Woelfer, an altered spelling of Wulfer which arose in Westphalia where the word ‘W’ was often replaced by ‘V’.
Surnames of similar origin include Wolfaard, Wauroff, Wolfersberger, Wolfgenauer, Wolfenbuttel, Wolfeld, Wolferth, Wolfger, Wolfmann, and Wolfram.
Variants of Wulfern and surnames that have the same origin can be found throughout Europe, with some of the earliest recorded bearers of the name originating from Hessen in Germany during the 16th century. The name is also common in Dutch, Scandinavian, and English-speaking countries such as the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
Today, the surname is found throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia. It remains a common surname in German-speaking countries and a popular choice among people of Germanic descent.
Famous people with the name Wulfern
- Dominic Wulfern: German gymnast, silver medalist in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Boris Wulfern: Austrian comic book artist.
- Sophie Wulfern: Dutch video game designer.
- Lisbeth Wulfern: Danish film actress.
- Heinz Wulfern: German physicist and professor.
- Frieda Wulfern: Austrian actress and television host.
- Paul Wulfern: English historian and writer.
- Jan Wulfern: Dutch music producer.
- Christian Wulfern: German composer.
- Maria Wulfern: Austrian actress and screenwriter.
- Helmut Wulfern: Austrian politician.
- Karoly Wulfern: German author and poet.
- Pieter Wulfern: Dutch tattoo artist.
- Dorothea Wulfern: American scientist.
- John Wulfern: American soccer player.