Surname Volkertz - Meaning and Origin
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Volkertz: What does the surname Volkertz mean?
The last name Volkertz is a German surname. It likely originated from the Old Germanic elements "wald" (forest) and "hard" (hard, strong). Together, these elements form the word "vohard", which could be translated to mean "dweller in the forest" or "hard of the forest".
It is also possible that the name is derived from the German word "volkert", meaning "peasant". This would make the literal translation of the name "peasant of the forest".
Volkertz was popular as a surname in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in the German states of Lower Saxony and Westphalia. Historically, people with this surname were typically farmers, foresters, or laborers. They often worked in rural areas and lived in small villages in the forest.
Today, people with the surname Volkertz continue to live in Germany, as well as in other parts of the world. It is a rare name, but those who bear it can be proud to carry on a centuries-old legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisVolkertz: Where does the name Volkertz come from?
Volkertz is a surname that has origins in Germany and other parts of Europe, although precise origin is unknown. Today, the surname Volkertz is most common in Germany, particularly in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse. It is also common in Austria, the Netherlands, and Belgium, as well as other countries in Europe that have historically been home to German immigration.
In addition, there is a notable presence of Volkertz in the United States, particularly in states that have historically seen a high volume of German immigrants such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. It is also present in Canada, particularly in the province of Ontario, which has historically been a landing spot for many German immigrants.
Though lesser-known, there are even a few Volkertzs located as far away as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, where the surname has been brought by the descendants of German emigrants.
It is estimated that there are about 20,000 individuals with the last name Volkertz living in the world today, with the vast majority of them living in the countries mentioned above.
Variations of the surname Volkertz
Volkertz is an occupational surname of Germanic origin, derived from the word ‘Volker’ which means ‘Falconer’ or 'Falcon Keeper'. The surname is also thought to have been derived from 'Volk', which means ‘People’.
Variants of the surname Volkertz include Volkerz, Volkerts, and Volkers. Spellings of the surname can include Volkkertz, Volkerts, and Volkertz, with variants such as Vollkertz also appearing. Surnames of similar origin can include Volker, Falkner, Falconer, Volckerts, Volkers, and Volkersen.
Throughout Germany and Holland, the surname is rampant, with various other European countries having long records of use of the surname. Emigrants from Europe have spread the surname to the United States, New Zealand, Canada and elsewhere.
The surname Volkertz can be found in records dating back to at least the 1400s, when it is known to have been used by several notable people. One of the earliest documented bearers of Volkertz was Heinrich Volkertz, a resident of Nördlingen in Bavaria (now part of Germany), who was recorded in official documents from around 1490.
Family records of the name can be found in Bavaria, with the most commonly found variations in Germany being Volkertz, Vollkertz, and Folkerz. In the Netherlands, the form is usually Volkers. American records can be found with the variations Volkerts, Volkers and Falconer, while other Records of the name can be found in Switzerland, Poland, Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand.
The surname Volkertz is also found in Russia, Czechoslovakia and various other countries in Eastern Europe, although the spelling has changed over time to conform with different local dialects.
Famous people with the name Volkertz
- Johan Volkertz: A Swedish professional football player, currently playing for Jönköpings Södra IF.
- Karen Volkertz: A Danish former field hockey player, who was a member of the Women's National Team, that won the gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
- Detlef Volkertz: A retired German football professional who played as a defender from 1974 to 1989.
- Carl Volkertz: A former Swedish gymnast who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics.
- Semmy Volkertz: A Swedish singer and actor who started by playing in several musicals, and later had a successful solo career.
- Jürgen Volkertz: A retired German football player who played for several teams in the 70s and 80s, including FC Schalke 04 and Hamburger SV.
- Julius Volkertz: A Swedish pastor, writer and president of the college of Holländare in Eskilstuna, Sweden.
- Yvonne Volkertz: A former German swimmer who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Per Volkertz: A former Swedish alpine skier who competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics.
- Toni Volkertz: A French actor and theater director who is best known for his work in films directed by Jacques Rivette.