Surname Würffel - Meaning and Origin

Würffel: What does the surname Würffel mean?

The last name Würffel is of Germanic origin and has a long history. Meaning "holder of the metal dart," the name is derived from the Middle High German words wurf, which means "throw," and wurffele, meaning "short-handled dart."

The first recorded instance of the Würffel surname was Ulrich Wurffele in 1585. He was living in Göppingen in the region of Swabia, Germany. Swabia was historically known as a region heavily populated by people of Germanic and Alemannic descent.

Throughout the following centuries, the Würffel name spread to Austria, Switzerland, and the Germanic population of what is now Belgium and the Netherlands. It was mainly concentrated around the eastern Alpine region, Bavaria and Saxony. It then gradually spread to the rest of what are now the modern European countries.

In the United States, many of the Würffels emigrated from Europe during the 19th century, mainly coming from Germany, Austria, and Hungary. In modern times, Würffel is rarely used as a given name but remains common as a surname.

Würffel, however, typically conjures a sense of fortitude and a long family lineage for those who bear it. For centuries, the surname has been commonplace among people of Germanic descent and can be seen as a symbol of the strength of this heritage.

Würffel: Where does the name Würffel come from?

The last name Würffel is common throughout the German-speaking world, particularly in the areas of its origin in Europe. The earliest recorded mentions of the Würffel name date back to the beginning of the 13th century in the Northern Bavarian region of Germany. Today, it is most heavily concentrated around the city of Nürnberg in Bavaria. It is also found in the surrounding German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

According to research by the Verein für Familiengeschichte und Ahnenforschung Würffel, or the VFAW, the surname Würffel has been recorded in the German region of South Westphalia since the 1500s, primarily in the districts of Gelsenkirschen, Lippe and Bielefeld. It is also common in North Rhine Westphalia and the Alsace-Lorraine border area of France, and is mentioned as far back as the late 1500s.

In America, the name Würffel can be found in several states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan. It was likely brought to the United States by immigrants from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland in the late 19th century.

The surname Würffel remains relatively uncommon today across the world, but those who bear the name are largely concentrated in the areas of its origin in Germany; in Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein; and in states where German-speaking immigrants settled in Victorian times.

Variations of the surname Würffel

The surname Würffel has a few variants, spellings, and surnames stemming from the same origin.

Würffel is a Germanic surname usually meaning "well-wisher" or "one who has good luck". Variants of Würffel include Wurfel, Wuerfel,Wurfel, Wurffel, Wurf, Vurfel, Vuerfel, Vurffel, Vurf, Vuerfet, Vuerffel, Varfel, Varf, Vanurfel, and Vawarfel. A few other related surnames include Warfel, Ruffel, and Uerfel.

Würffel is an uncommon name, but it is found most frequently in the European countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest. In Germany, the name can be traced back as far as the 17th century.

In addition to the variants stemming from the same name, there are a few other related surnames. Warfel is a German name meaning "a shelter or place of safety"; Ruffel is a surname based on the old German word "ruffel" meaning "rod"; and Uerfel is a variant of Uerfel, and it is often used as an occupational name meaning "guard of the law".

Overall, Würffel is a unique surname with many variants, spellings, and surnames derived from the same origin. It is found most frequently in Europe and the United States, particularly in the Midwest.

Famous people with the name Würffel

• Danny Wuerffel: former American football quarterback who won the 1996 Heisman Trophy while playing for the University of Florida
• Dirk Wuerffel: former German footballer, who played for top German teams such as Borussia Dortmund and Kaiserslautern
• Ben Wuerffel: American football coach and former quarterback who has served in a variety of roles
• Stephanie Wuerffel: American figure skater and three-time U.S. National silver medalist
• Anna Wuerffel: German actress, known for her roles in films such as “Cloudy Sunday” and “Run Away”
• Wilhelm Wuerffel: German chess grandmaster and three-time world champion who won the Chess Olympiad in 1978
• Julia Wuerffel: American operatic soprano, who has performed with symphony orchestras
• Joseph Wuerffel: German modern pentathlete, who competed in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games
• Paul Wuerffel: German weightlifter, who held the world record for total weight lifted
• Max Wuerffel: German Olympic decathlete, who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympic Games

Other surnames

WürffellWürffels