Surname Wulff - Meaning and Origin
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read moreWulff: What does the surname Wulff mean?
The last name Wulff is a German patronymic surname, derived from the given names Wolfram and Wulf. It is thought to have originated from the northern regions of Germany and the Low Countries, and is still most common there. The name Wulff translates to mean either "wolf-fame" or "wolf-raven," and was likely given to individuals descended from a family of ancient warriors or strength. Wulffs originally made their living as hunters and farmers, and they were known for their courage and strength.
The Wulff surname can be found in various forms in German-speaking countries. These include Wulf, Wulfe, Wulff, Wolf, Wolfa, Wulffa, Woo, Woolf, Woole, and Wielfurt. In North America, the surname has been modified to Wolf, Woolf, Woelffel, Wolffe, and Wulffel.
The coat of arms for the Wulff family is a wide black shield with three gold swords, each pointing downwards to the right. The crest is a rampant lion. This, too, was likely chosen to symbolize strength and courage.
The modern Wulff surname is shared by many notable individuals. Johann Wulff was an 18th-century German statesman and leader of the Hannover-Göcheid and Braunschweig-Göcheid parties. Bruce Wulff is an American actor and film producer, and Conrad Wulff was a notable German-American educator.
Overall, the Wulff surname is a proud German patronymic, with its core meaning referring to strength, courage, and fame. Members of the Wulff family can be found in many parts of the world, and have achieved success in many fields.
Order DNA origin analysisWulff: Where does the name Wulff come from?
The Wulff surname is commonly found throughout Europe, particularly in Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. The meaning of the surname is unclear as it can refer to a kind of fish, wolf or even a kind of herb. It may have even been used as a nickname for someone's ancestor based on their physical characteristics.
In Germany, the Wulff surname is mainly found in the northern regions of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein as well as in the southern state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The frequency of the surname increases in the west of the country, particularly in Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne.
In Denmark, the Wulff surname is mainly found in the Danish island of Bornholm, located in the Baltic Sea to the east of the country. This makes sense as the name is derived from the Old Danish personal name Wulf. The surname is also fairly common in the rest of Denmark, particularly in the Capital Region and in the city of Aarhus.
In Sweden, the Wulff surname is mainly found in the country's southernmost county of Skåne and in the two northernmost counties of Norrbotten and Västerbotten. It is also found throughout central and northern Sweden.
Overall, the Wulff surname is most commonly found in Germany, Denmark and Sweden, particularly in the northern regions of these countries.
Variations of the surname Wulff
The surname Wulff is of German origin, and there are a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the surname Wulff are Wulf, Wolf, and Ulf.
The variants Wulf, Wolf, and Ulf are primarily borne by descendants of Germanic individuals who migrated to other parts of the world. These variants are derived from both first and last names; some of which have become commonly adopted surnames.
The spelling of Wulff also varies across cultures. For instance, in German, it can be spelled simply as "Wulff", while in Danish, it is spelled "Wulffs". "Wulf" is another common spelling of the surname, which often appears in English.
The surname Wulff can also be found in other forms, including: Wolfs, Wulfe, Ulfs, Ulfes, Wolfes, and Wolfens.
Other surnames derived from the same root include: Wolff, Wolfe, Wolffen, Wolfman, Wolfmann, Wolfers, Wulffen, Wulfers, Wulffson, Ulfson, Ulfers, Ullman, Ulfman, and Ullmann.
Researchers of German genealogy will be able to distinguish between families who may have the same surname Wulff but have different roots. These potential differences can be identified through records of vital events that indicate a family's place of origin and the names of their ancestors.
Famous people with the name Wulff
- Lindsay Wulff, US Air Force Academy graduate and former television newscaster;
- Eichi Wulff, award-winning illustrator and animator;
- Jenna Wulff, Professional racecar driver;
- John Wulff, Professional fisherman, former outdoorsman and TV show host;
- William Wulff, businessman and philanthropist;
- Jeanna Wulff, YouTuber and transgender advocate;
- Nico Wulff, German entrepreneur and CEO of Wulff Consulting;
- Lou Wulff, former Vice Chairman of Hewlett-Packard;
- Jené Wulff, author and folklorist and Presiding Officer of The Advisory Council on Traditional Music;
- Sem Wulff, Rhodes Scholar and public intellectual;
- Elke Wulff, chair of the Hamburg Research Network for Women’s History;
- Corny Wulff, international handball coach and Olympic gold medalist;
- Bob Wulff, professional wrestler;
- Rutger Wulff, Dutch photographer and wildlife conservationist;
- Inna Wulff, visual artist and co-founder of the International Women’s Art Collective.