Surname Wohler - Meaning and Origin
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Wohler: What does the surname Wohler mean?
The last name Wohler is a German surname which is derived from the Middle High German word “wolher,” meaning “woodland.” It could have originally been given to someone who lived in or near a wooded area, or may have been an occupational name for someone who worked in the logging or forestry industry.
Other theories suggest that the name could have been derived from a place or settlement called “Wohler” in Germany, and that people living there had the last name applied to them in order to distinguish between them and the other people in the area.
The name also may have originally been spelled differently, such as “Wohler,” “Wollher,” or “Wolier” at some point. It was common in Germany for surnames to be changed slightly over time, or spelled differently depending on the region.
Regardless of its original meaning or spelling, the last name Wohler is still found in many countries today. It is particularly common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
People who carry the name Wohler today may take pride in their ancestral history, or feel connected to the original meaning of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisWohler: Where does the name Wohler come from?
The last name Wohler is most commonly found in Germany. There are roughly 8,000 people with this surname living in Germany today. It is also common in Austria and the United Kingdom, with smaller populations living in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
The German prefix 'Wohler' is derived from Middle High German and simply means 'well'. As a result, the name likely originated from people giving their children names which signified something they did well, or were blessed by. This could have been anything from a physical activity to a particular skill to a job.
The distribution of Wohler in Germany total is focused on the North, with particularly high numbers in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia making up almost one-third of all Wohler's in Germany. There is also a significant concentration in the West, as well as in the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg.
The United Kingdom has a small population of Wohler's, the majority of which established themselves in England in the 19th century. In the United States, the name is becoming rare, although it does remain in small numbers in Pennsylvania and Nebraska.
In summary, the last name Wohler is still most commonly found today in Germany, Austria, and the United Kingdom, as well as in small numbers across parts of western Europe including Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. It is becoming increasingly rare in the United States.
Variations of the surname Wohler
The surname Wohler is of German origins. It is derived from the Middle High German "wol(e)re(r)", which is derived from the word "wolf". The Wohler surname is typically found in Germany and countries where the language is spoken, including Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
Different spellings and variants of the surname Wohler include: Woeler, Wolter, Woller, Woulters, Wolfers, Woellers and Wöhler.
In addition, there are other surnames with similar, but distinct, origins including Wolfer, Wolfers, Wolffers, Wolfing, Wolfram, Woolfes, Wulfs, Wulff, Wolfie, Wolfin, Wolfinger, Wolfensperger, Wolfe, Wolfenden.
The Wohler surname has been found throughout Germany since the 16th century, and has spread to other parts of Europe and the United States. It is believed to have derived from people who had a place or profession that was related to wolves. It could have been a wolf hunter, wolf veterinarian, or a person who imported or exported items related to wolves.
The surname Wohler can also be found in different dialects and languages. In English, it can be spelled as Wohler, Woeller or Woller. In French, it is Woehlert, Wohlert, and in Polish, it is Wohla or Wola and Wohlaar in Dutch.
Famous people with the name Wohler
- Stephen Wohler, professional skateboarder and skater shoe company owner
- Chris Wohler, professional stunt athlete
- Nataša Wohler, Slovenian professional snowboarder
- Mia Wohler, champion BMX bike rider
- Joe Wohler, lead guitarist and founding member of alternative rock band The Used
- Rolf Wohler, Swiss Olympic swimmer
- Daniel Wohler, former Austrian international footballer
- Andrew Wohler, German-born American federal judge and legal scholar
- Urs Wohler, Swiss ski-jumper and Olympic medal recipient
- Max Wohler, German scientist and physicist best known for his work in radio and television