Surname Wulfes - Meaning and Origin
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Wulfes: What does the surname Wulfes mean?
The surname Wulfes is of German origin. It is a topographic or locational surname, which was given to a person who was a native or inhabitant of a place called Wulf or Wolf. This name referred to a specific area within a particular settlement or region. It is derived from the Old High German word ‘wulf’, which meant wolf or wolf-like creature.
The Wulfes surname can also be linked to an Old Norse word, ‘ulfr’ or ‘wulfr’, which meant wolf. This was a commonly used given name in the Middle Ages, as well as being found in place-names throughout Europe. In some cases, the surname distinguished branches of a family and enabled them to be differentiated by regional origin.
In modern times, the surname Wulfes is quite common and may refer to people of Germanic heritage, particularly in Germany or countries where Germanic people settled. Wulfes may also refer to individuals with historical ties to the region or people who were adopted and given the surname due to the origin of their adoptive parents. The Wulfes family is a long-standing one and is associated with numerous branches throughout the world.
Order DNA origin analysisWulfes: Where does the name Wulfes come from?
The last name Wulfes is primarily found in Germany today. Its variants, such as Wulff, Wolff, and Woolf, are also present in different European countries, particularly in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
First appearing in Bavaria during the Middle Ages, the Wulfes surname is derived from Germanic words such as wulf ('wolf') and wulfen ('wolves'), suggesting that the family was closely linked to the Germanic god Woden.
In Germany, Wulfes is a relatively common name. The majority of people with this last name live in Berlin, Hamburg, and Bavaria. According to a 2014 study by the German Institute for Population and Development, more than 23,000 Germans with the last name Wulfes were living in Germany.
Outside of Germany, the surname Wulfes is mostly found in the United States, where it is spelled Woolf or Wulff. The name has been used by various branches of the Woolf family in the United States, including those descended from German immigrants and those who have been in America since the 1700s. Particularly, the popular Jewish Woolf surname derived from the German Wulfes name and can be found in the United States, Israel, and other countries.
Overall, the last name Wulfes is predominantly found in Germany today, as well as in the United States. Its variants, such as Wolff and Woolf, are also present in different European countries and in the United States.
Variations of the surname Wulfes
The surname Wulfes is a German-origin name, hailing from the Old High German 'wulfa'. It is believed to have roots in a hunting term for a grey or wolf-coloured animal. Variants of this surname are found throughout Europe and beyond, often in various spellings.
In German, the name is usually spelled Wulfes, Wulfs, Wulff, Wulf, and Wulfe. In Dutch, and Flemish it is spelled Woulfe, Wouls, and Woulfs. In Scandinavian nations, it is often spelled Wulff. In England and the United States, the name is spelled Wulff, Wolf, Wolfe, Woolf, and Wuolff.
The names can also be derived from other sources. In some cases, the name can be derived from the pagan god, Wulthan, whose name translates to wolf. In some instances, the name may be derived from a middle French name Mouliveenn, which contains a root word meaning 'wolf'.
Other surnames related to Wulfe include Wulffs, Wulfen, Wulfens, Woelfel, Wolfel, Woolf, Woelffel, Wulfsberg, Wulffson, and Voulf. These are all derived from the same Old High German source.
In some cases, Wulfes can also be found as a first name, usually as a form of Wolf or Wolfes. While it is possible that this name has a genetic link to the surname, it is more likely that it derives from the Germanic nickname, describing a person who acts like a wolf.
Famous people with the name Wulfes
- Bud Wulfes: singer and songwriter best known for his songs "Forever Just Friends" and "None of That Stuff".
- Irina Wulfes: author of the novel "The House of Bones" and other works of non-fiction such as "Greek Dreamers".
- William Wulfes: Australian Army sniper and military historian known for his books on conflicts such as the Vietnam War.
- Lawrence Wulfes: singer and multi-instrumentalist in the alternative rock band, The Pigeon Detectives.
- Chris Wulfes: former professional tennis player from the United States.
- Guy Wulfes: French art historian and museum curator who specializes in modern art.
- Carl Wulfes: German Nazi information minister during World War II.
- Dieter Wulfes: German stage and sound engineer who has worked on a variety of different projects.
- Barbara Wulfes: Austrian actress and voice actor who is best known for her English dubbing work in films such as "Jurassic Park" and "Hocus Pocus".
- Klaus Wulfes: famous German painter who is known for his romantic landscape paintings.