Surname Wolff - Meaning and Origin
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The Journey of Personal Identity Exploration: IGENEA DNA Test Reveals Depths of Wolff Surname
Garnering a deeper sense of self through DNA testing, an examination of my Wolff heritage uncovers an enriching exploration into the past and the far-reaching impacts of discovery on personal identity.
G. Wolff
read moreWolff: What does the surname Wolff mean?
The surname Wolff is of German origin and is a variation of the surname Wolfe, which is a name given to someone with wolf-like qualities. In German, "wolf" translates to the phrase “wulf" and “f” was added to the end to create the surname Wolff.
The name is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages and was likely given to a fierce soldier or hunter who displayed courage and strength. Others suggest it was used to denote someone from the Wolf Clan, which traveled Europe during the Middle Ages.
In the German language, the name Wolff signifies bravery and intelligence, while its most prominent association is with strength and loyalty. Famous people with the surname Wolff include the actors Liev Schreiber and Rita Wolff, the philanthropists Louis Wolff and David Wolff, and the theologian Johann Caspar Wölf.
The name can also be seen as signifying “free spirit” as well as “hunter,” making it a strong and meaningful surname. In the United States, the total population of people with the surname Wolff is over 15,000, giving the name a strong presence. Today, the surname Wolff is one of the most common surnames in Europe which continues to be passed down through families.
Order DNA origin analysisWolff: Where does the name Wolff come from?
The surname Wolff is most commonly found in Germany and is derived from the Germanic name ‘Wolf’. It is a popular German-Jewish surname, although it can also be found in some other parts of Europe.
Wolff is the 15th most common surname in Germany, with approximately 232,700 people bearing the name as of 2020. It can also be found in places like Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, and Czech Republic.
In the United States, the surname is ranked 7792 on the list of most common surnames of the US population according to the 2000 census. Over 10,000 people living in the US share the surname and the number is on the rise every year. Wolff is most common in states like Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Ohio, and California.
In Latin America and Caribbean countries, the surname is also quite common, mainly in Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic.
The surname has become so widespread that it can be found in almost any part of the world today, from Europe to the Americas, Australia, and Asia.
Variations of the surname Wolff
The surname Wolff has its origins in German, Dutch, Jewish and Slavic cultures, tracing back to the Germanic personal name Wolf, which was derived from the Old High German word “wulf” meaning “wolf” or “the wolf.” Variants and spellings of the same origin for this surname include Wulf, Wolve, Wolvet, Wolvets, Wolffs, Wolfes, Wolffe, Wollfe, Wolffes, Woolf, Woolfe, Woolff and Wolf.
In addition to these variants, some distinct but closely related surname spellings include Wolffi, Wolffy, Wolfi, Wolffy, Wolfy, Wolfl, Wolfli, Wolfly, Wolft, Woolf, Woolfi, Wooft, Wolfe, Wolfs, Wolfsohn, Wolfheim, Wolfsohn, Wolfschmidt, Wolfensberger, Weinwolff, Weinwolffi, Weinwolffy and Wolfsohn.
In Germany, the surname Wolffs is particularly common in Bavaria, while Wolfsohn and Weinwolff are more commonly found in other regions of Germany. In Jewish culture, the surname Wolff is also often interchanged with Wolfsohn and Wolfschmidt. In Dutch cultures, the Wolfs surname is more common, interchanged with Woolf, Wolffs and Woolff.
Lastly, in Slavic cultures, the surnames Wolf, Wolff and Wolfen are also found, while the translation of “wulf” into “vuk” produces the surnames Wuk, Vuk and Vuković.
Famous people with the name Wolff
- Karl Wolff: Senior Officer in Nazi Germany
- Emma Wolff: British Actress
- Mary Lou Wolff: American Olympic Swimmer
- John Wolff: Former Australian Test Cricketer
- Spencer Wolff: American Professional Golfer
- Bill Wolff: Television Producer and Director
- Owen Wolff: Canadian Actor
- Hermann Wolff: German Painter
- Mark Wolff: American Musician and Producer
- Christopher Wolff: American Musician
- Hedwig Wolff: German Painter
- Alexandra Wolff: British Singer
- Merril M. Wolff: American Surgeon
- Alex Wolff: American Actor, Musician and Director
- Caroline Wolff: German Anthropologist
- Gordon Wolff: English Astronomer
- Jack Wolff: American Artist
- Kenneth Wolff: Australian Politician