Surname Wulfsen - Meaning and Origin
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Wulfsen: What does the surname Wulfsen mean?
The last name Wulfsen is of Germanic origin and is derived from the word “wolf”. The meaning of the name is believed to be “son of the wolf”. It is likely that it was originally created as a nickname for a fierce warrior or hunter. In some cases, the name may have been used to indicate someone who had wolf-like characteristics, such as being brave and courageous in battle.
The name Wulfsen first appears in record books during medieval Germany. It is found mostly in Northern Germany, with a few families having migrated southward to other parts of the country over the years.
It is also possible that the name was borrowed from another people in an area known as the Baltic provinces, which was once inhabited by people from Scandinavia and others from the north. The surname may have been brought into Germany by these people.
This surname is still found today in Germany, as well as in other countries across the world. People named Wulfsen tend to be independent, strong-willed and courageous. They are often seen as leaders and problem-solvers, but they are also known for their loyalty and love of family.
Order DNA origin analysisWulfsen: Where does the name Wulfsen come from?
The surname Wulfsen is of Germanic origin and is most commonly found throughout Germany and the Nordic countries, including Norway and Denmark. In Germany, it is the 24,076th most common surname. It is also a popular surname in the United States, where it is the 33,171st most common name.
The earliest known appearance of the Wulfsen surname is in the Popplewappen (also Popplewappenuerteil) which is a list of German surnames from 1500-1700. It has been found that the name is mostly concentrated to the area around Baden-Wurttemberg and lower Saxony.
The etymology of the surname Wulfsen is shrouded in mystery as its uncertain origin is often debated. It is thought to have derived from the Germanic personal names, Wulf or Wolf, which means "wolf". The Ravensburgische Lehnbuch has stated that its base form is Wulfsohn and as an example of the name, it was documented in 1594 by an entry in the books of the city of Bernstadt.
The name Wulfsen is also associated with immigrants to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, the Wulfsen surname can be found in varying parts of the world providing evidence that its popularity has grown from the 1500s to the present.
Variations of the surname Wulfsen
The variants, spellings, and surnames derived from Wulfsen vary among countries and languages. Most common versions of the surname are Wolveren, Wolven, Wulfvin, Wulfsen, and Wolfson.
In English speaking countries, the surname tends to take a more Anglicised form such as Wolf, Wolfson, and Wolfsen. In the Netherlands, the surname is spelled Wolverson, and in Germany it is often found as Wolffsen. In Scandinavia, versions of the name appearing as Wolvsen, Wolfvin, Wulffson, and Wolfsén are often encountered.
In addition to the more obvious spelling variations, variants of the surname are often found in documents such as Wolfler, Wulder, and Wulver. These may also vary between countries, for example, the Dutch and Scandinavian variants of the name Wolff are commonly found.
In Dutch and German records, the surname is often found with the prefix van den (of the) or von (from). This indicates the surname is from a particular place with the prefix being followed by Wolfsen, such as van den Wolfsen and von Wolfsen.
In some regions, the surname has been adopted as a given name. Examples are Wolffen, Wolvin, Wolveren, Wolffin, Wolven, and Wulf. These are usually from Dutch and Scandinavian origins.
In modern times, people bearing the surname may still use the original spelling or prefer a more contemporary spelling. This is especially prevalent in English-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Wulfsen
- Kathryn Wulfsen: folk and classical singer from Denmark.
- Jürgen Wulfsen: German classical actor and stage director.
- Matt Wulfsen: American theater and film actor.
- Jean Wulfsen: Australian actress and stage actor best known for her performances in the musicals “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Cats.”
- Rudolf Wulfsen: Danish architect, painter, and sculptor.
- Uwe Wulfsen: German footballer.
- Mike Wulfsen: Dutch film director and producer.
- Michael Wulfsen: Swedish-born ice hockey player.
- Ronnie Wulfsen: Dutch football manager.
- Hans-Joachim Wulfsen: German Olympic diver.
- Margarete Wulfsen: German soprano and ballet dancer.
- Manfred Wulfsen: German mountaineer and outdoorsman.
- Albrecht Wulfsen: German classical music composer.
- Friedrich Wulfsen: German music publisher.
- Leo Wulfsen: Dutch cellist known for his eclectic music style.
- Inge Wulfsen: Danish folk singer.
- Adele Wulfsen: Danish pop singer-songwriter.
- Henning Wulfsen: Norwegian rock singer.
- Dan Wulfsen: American jazz drummer and percussionist.
- William Wulfsen: British actor and comedian.