Surname Wulfram - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wulfram: What does the surname Wulfram mean?
The last name Wulfram is of Old German origin. It is derived from personal names which were popular in the Middle Ages and were made up of the elements “wulf” and “hramn”, meaning “wolf” and “raven” respectively.
In some cases, the name Wulfram may have also been derived from Old German words that mean “protection” and “raven” - wulfa + hramn, which would have been a reference to a powerful protector. It may even be that Wulfram was originally a nickname, given to a particularly brave and powerful warrior.
The surname Wulfram is found mainly in Germany and central Europe, and it is well known in some parts of Denmark. It is also seen in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania and New York, where it is believed to have been brought to America by German immigrants during the colonial period.
In modern times, the name Wulfram remains most closely associated with the protector and raven elements of its origin – qualities that are often admired in our society. It is sometimes viewed as a symbol of strength and courage, and has also become a popular choice of first name, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisWulfram: Where does the name Wulfram come from?
The last name Wulfram is of German origin and is most common in countries with a large Germanic population such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is also found in smaller numbers in other nearby countries such as Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and parts of Scandinavia. In the United States and Canada, the name Wulfram is less common. Records indicate that it was first brought to the US in the late 19th or early 20th century by immigrants from Germany but does not appear to have established a strong presence.
The accurate origin of the Wulfram surname is not known but various theories exist. One common belief is that it originated from a combination of “wolf” and “fraum”, which is an old German word for “girl” or “young woman”. This would suggest that the name was originally used to refer to someone as being particularly brave or effective at defending a girl or woman. Another possibility is that it is a combination of the German words for “wolf” and “hram” which translates to raven, suggesting a name related to the Norse god Odin who has two ravens as his personal advisors.
Either way, the surname Wulfram is not overly common in today’s world although it can be found in those countries with a significant German ancestry. There is also a small presence in the United States due to 19th-century German immigrants.
Variations of the surname Wulfram
Wulfram is a surname of German origin and is derived from the personal name Wulfram. Variants of this surname include Wulfrum, Wulferam, Wulpheram, Wolfrum, Wolfram, Wolframe, Wolpheram, Wolferam, Ulfram and Ulframm. Less common spellings include Wolffram and Wollfrumm.
These variants can often be confused with other surnames such as Wolframm, Wulferam, Wolfram, Wulferum, Wullfram, Wolframme, Wulferme, Ullfra, Ulfrum, Wolfran, Wolfrem and Wolferes.
The surname can also be Anglicized as Wolfrane, Wulfram, Wulframme, Wolefram, Wollfraym and Wolfrey. Surnames of similar origin include Ulfven, Ulffin, Wulfrick, Wulfrich, Wulfwick and Vulfran.
Wulfram is found in many European countries, including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia. In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin.
The name may have originally been given to a person who displayed a fierce wolf-like spirit or served in a wolf-related occupation. Other possible interpretations include it being derived as a shortened form of Wolframius, or a combination of two Old German elements, 'wulf' meaning wolf and 'hramn' meaning raven.
Famous people with the name Wulfram
- Asher Wulfram: Australian singer-songwriter
- Christine Wulfram: Artist, researcher and professor of modern French literature
- Erik Wulfram: Swedish biophysicist
- Ester Wulfram: Swedish artist, active mainly in the 1930s
- Friederich Wulfram: German lieutenant in the Great War
- Gudrun Wulfram: Austrian soprano
- Gustav Wulfram: German actor
- Hermann Wulfram: German politician
- Johannes Wulfram: German theologian
- Johannes Wulfram II: German Protestant religion teacher
- Leif Wulfram: Swedish footballer
- Magnus Wulfram: Swedish composer
- Otto Wulfram: German composer
- Robert Wulfram: Archangel
- Salomo Wulfram: German surgeon
- Ulrich Wulfram: German historian and reformation scholar
- Wilfried Wulfram: German television director
- Wolfgang Wulfram: German actor