Surname Wulfmeyer - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wulfmeyer: What does the surname Wulfmeyer mean?
The last name Wulfmeyer is a German surname derived from the middle high German word "wulf," meaning "wolf." The suffix "meyer" means "amongst the people." Thus, the name can roughly be translated to "among the wolves."
The first recorded instance of the name was in 1273 in the Zuylen Versdok records in Dresden, Germany. From that point, the name spread throughout the region and to areas of present day Austria, Czechia and Croatia.
Throughout the centuries, Wulfmeyer has become both a noble and a common surname. For example, in 1800, Maxmillian Wulfmeyer von Schnabelstein Himmelkrone was a German baron and diplomat. Other famous bearers of the name are banker Philipp Wulfmeyer, former F.C. Kaiserslautern President Richard Wulfmeyer, and the German occupied boxing champion, Max Wulfmeyer.
In the United States, the surname Wulfmeyer peaked in popularity in the 1880s, but is still seen today. The surname is most common in the states of California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Virginia.
The Wulfmeyer family motto is “Festina Lente”, which is Latin for “make haste slowly.” This proverb serves as a reminder that taking the time for careful planning rather than rushing and making mistakes will ultimately lead to success. It serves as a good reminder to never give up, even when things get tough.
Order DNA origin analysisWulfmeyer: Where does the name Wulfmeyer come from?
The last name Wulfmeyer is most commonly found today in the German-speaking countries of Europe. It is also commonly found in North America, particularly in the Midwest region of the United States.
Various records show that Wulfmeyer began as a patronymic name derived from the personal name of “Wolf,” which literally means “wolf” in German. An early incarnations of the name was “Wolffmeyere.” It was a popular name in both East Prussia and West Prussia in the eighteenth century.
The surname can be found mainly in the American states of Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and Ohio. Wulfmeyer is also prevalent in the German states of Saxony, Thuringia, and Bavaria.
Popular spellings of the Wulfmeyer name in Germany today include Wulfmeyer, Wolffmeire, Wolffmeyer, and Wolfmeier. In the United States, some of the most common spellings today are Wulfmeyer, Wolffmeire, Wolfmeier, and Wolfmeyer.
Overall, despite its Germanic roots, the Wulfmeyer name is becoming increasingly rare in Europe. In recent years, the last name has been adopted primarily by German-American immigrants and their descendants. This name likely won’t be around forever, but those who currently carry it can certainly be proud of its rich cultural background and history.
Variations of the surname Wulfmeyer
The most common spelling of the surname Wulfmeyer is Wolfmeyer and variants and surnames of the same origin include Wolfmeijer, Wolfmair, Wolfmaier, Wolfmaer, Wolfmayer, Woelfle, Woelflee, Woelflei, Woelfley, Woelfli, Wooffley, Wolf, Wolfe, Wolff, Woelfler, and Woelflare.
Wolfmeyer is a German surname derived from two elements which are the German word “wulf” meaning “wolf” and the suffix “meyer” meaning “superior” or “chief”. This surname likely originated as a name for someone in the position of village leader or chieftain, similar to an early mayor.
The word “wulf” was used as an ancient surname in Germany because it symbolized strength and courage, and it was also a pagan totem. As Christianity spread in the area, surnames based on the word were adapted to form the German name “Wolf”. This name was then combined with “meyer” and other suffixes to create other variants of the surname.
Variants and spellings of Wulfmeyer today are found throughout German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The surname is also found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and other parts of Europe.
The variants and surnames of Wulfmeyer today are mostly derived from the original meaning of the word, as a village leader or chief. They represent strength and courage which are still essential qualities to have in modern day leadership.
Famous people with the name Wulfmeyer
- Stephen Wulfmeyer: Steve Wulfmeyer is best known for his long-standing career as a Major League Baseball player. He played for the Seattle Mariners for six seasons before retiring in 2008.
- Ben Wulfmeyer: Ben Wulfmeyer is a professional mixed martial arts fighter, currently competing in the Bellator promotion. He holds a 10-4-1 record in his professional fights.
- Joe Wulfmeyer: Joe Wulfmeyer is a former college basketball coach, having most recently coached at the University of Valley Forge.
- Chris Wulfmeyer: Chris Wulfmeyer is an American folk singer-songwriter and frontman for the folk band "The Wulfmeyer Band."
- Richard Wulfmeyer: Richard Wulfmeyer is an American composer and music professor, having taught at Duke University for many years.
- Paul Wulfmeyer: Paul Wulfmeyer is an American rock musician and guitarist for the metal band "Ravenswood."
- Scott Wulfmeyer: Scott Wulfmeyer is an American producer and film/television director, having directed multiple documentaries and independent films.
- Reese Wulfmeyer: Reese Wulfmeyer is an American artist and sculptor, having exhibited her works in museums in the United States and Europe.