Surname Wöhlbrandt - Meaning and Origin

Wöhlbrandt: What does the surname Wöhlbrandt mean?

The surname Wöhlbrandt is of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the German words Wöhl, meaning "valley", and Brandt, meaning "fire" or "burning". Thus, the surname most likely indicates that an ancestor of the family was born or lived near a valley that was known for its fires or burning.

The surname could also indicate that the ancestor was a brazier or worked with metal and fire, or could even denote a person who was an expert in blacksmithing. Another possible origin is that the surname could be derived from the German word "Branntwein", meaning "brandy".

Whatever the paternal origin of the name, the surname Wöhlbrandt appears to have been around for centuries, with references to it being found in old documents and records of Germany, the Netherlands and the USA. It is still quite common throughout these countries. In German-speaking countries, it is usually spelled Wöhlbrand, and in Dutch-speaking countries, it can be spelled Wolbrandt or Wolbrand.

The surname Wöhlbrandt therefore likely has several possible origins, ranging from having been born near a burning valley, to working with metal and fire, or even being an expert in blacksmithing, to potentially having a connection to brandy. It is a surname that appears to have roots stretching back centuries and is still found in many parts of the world today.

Wöhlbrandt: Where does the name Wöhlbrandt come from?

The last name Wöhlbrandt is a German surname, although it is now found in other parts of the world due to migration. It is most commonly found in Germany, especially in the south-eastern region of the country. There is also a concentration of the name in the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland which likely comes from Germanic immigrants.

Immigrant communities have established small pockets of the name in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. In particular, the United States has a fair number of immigrants of German descent, many of whom may carry the Wöhlbrandt name.

Wherever the Wöhlbrandt name is found, it has similar characteristics. The name usually has its root in Germany, and it carries strong ties to religion, as its root is often associated with Christianity.

Though the name is fairly spread out, the largest concentration of Wöhlbrandts is still in Germany, as it is the birthplace of the family name. Germany has a long history of immigration and many Wöhlbrandts have followed this path, ultimately settling in new countries and far-reaching regions.

Variations of the surname Wöhlbrandt

The surname Wöhlbrandt has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It is typically a German surname, and the primary variants are Woehlbrandt, Woehlbrand, Wohlbrandt, Wohlbrand, Woelbrandt, Woelbrand, Wohlbrent, Wohlfant, Wohlfahrt, Wohlfart, Wohlffahrt, and Wohlfert. Other regional variants include Wöhlbrand (Austria), Woehlbrant (Swiss-German), Woelbrandink (Dutch), and Woehlbraendel (Baden-Wurtemberg, Germany).

The Wöhlbrandt surname is derived from two components, wohl, meaning ‘well’ or ‘fortunate’, and brandt, meaning ‘burning’, ‘flame’ or ‘fire’. As a result, it is often translated to mean ‘fortunate fire’ and is most likely related to forge work and metalworking. It is also possible that the surname originally belonged to a blacksmith and was derived from the German phrase, vor dem brand, meaning ‘in front of the blaze’.

The earliest record of the surname dates from the 13th century, when records show a Johannes Woehlbrandt of Goerlitz, Germany. In later years, the surname spread to Holland, where it was spelled Woelbrandt. It was also found in Austria and Switzerland, where it was spelled Wöhlbrand and Woehlbrandt. In the United States, the name is most often spelled Wohlbrandt.

Famous people with the name Wöhlbrandt

• Joachim Wöhlbrandt, German fortune teller and astrologer
• Michael Wöhlbrandt, German set designer and film director
• Günther Wöhlbrandt, German former professional footballer
• Hannelore Wöhlbrandt, German actress
• Friedel Wöhlbrandt, German writer and translator
• Ewert Wöhlbrandt, German contemporary painter
• Bernd Wöhlbrandt, German actor
• Martin Wöhlbrandt, German linguist
• Kristina Wöhlbrandt, German classical violinist
• Franziska Wöhlbrandt, German classical flutist

Other surnames

Wöhlbrand