Surname Dölfs - Meaning and Origin
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Dölfs: What does the surname Dölfs mean?
The surname Dölfs can be traced back to the 12th century in Norway. It is a Germanic name derived from the Old High German word “dolf” meaning “wolf” or “wolf-like”. It can also be interpreted as “valley-dweller”, referencing a person who lived in a valley or ravine.
The surname migrated with Norwegian and Danish immigrants to the United States in the 1800s. Families of the name in the United States are primarily concentrated in the Midwest and New England.
The given name most often associated with Dölfs is Bernt, which is a Germanic form of Burt or Burtius, meaning “bright”. It also has connections to Scandinavian folklore, as the given name Bernt Dölfs appears in the “Volsunga Saga”, where it is the name of one of the heroes of the tale.
Today, Dölfs’ are mainly found in Europe and the United States and the name is still most commonly associated with Norse and West Germanic roots. It is thought that the popularity of the name in the United States is due to its origins in Scandinavian folklore and its generic associations with wolves, power and strength. It is a unique surname that contains centuries of history and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisDölfs: Where does the name Dölfs come from?
The surname Dölfs is common in northern Germany and the Low Countries, especially in old traditionally German-speaking areas. It is mainly found in Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Hamburg in Germany, as well as in the Netherlands and Belgium. The name is also common in areas with historical German settlement such as Switzerland, Estonia and Latvia.
The name Dölfs is derived from the German word "dolff" which means "humpbacked wolf" and is of patronymic origin. It is believed to have been used as a nickname for a stubborn or strong-willed person which evolved into a surname. The earliest record of the name dates back to the 1500s in Germany.
In contemporary times, the Dölfs surname is found mainly in northern Germany and the Netherlands, particularly in Amsterdam and other places in the southern Netherlands. Motorcycle and auto racing fans may recognize the surname, as Dutch driver Bas Dölfs is currently competing in the 2016 European Rally Championship.
Overall, the Dölfs surname is most commonly found in northern Germany, the Low Countries and areas with historical German settlement.
Variations of the surname Dölfs
The surname Dölfs is derived from the German language and is believed to be of Old Germanic origin. It is thought to have originated from the Middle High German word ‘dölven’ which means ‘to be silent or to conceal’.
Variants of this surname include Dolffs, Dolff, Dollf, Doelffs, Doll, and Dolles. In some countries, such as the US and Canada, it may also be seen as Dolfs or Dolphs.
Alternative spellings derived from the same root include Dolf, Doolf, Daul, Dollves, Doolfes and Doelves.
In some cases, the surname can also take a variety of surnames related to the original form, such as Daulfs, Du’lfs and Delv.
In addition, other surnames of similar origin may be seen as Dallf, Dalves and Dellf. This means that many people with the same origin may find themselves with seemingly different surnames.
It is likely that many of these variants of Dölfs can be found all over the world, but is particularly widespread in countries with Germanic or Dutch heritage such as Germany, the Netherlands, and the US.
Overall, the surname Dölfs is fairly rare, though it is known to have been used in Germany as far back as the 13th century. With so many variants and spelling options, it is likely that many people with the same origin are actually related and simply unaware of this.
Famous people with the name Dölfs
- Helge Dölfs: German footballer who represented the East German national team, made 35 appearances, and scored four goals.
- Karl Alexander Dölfs: German freestyle skier who has competed in the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup since 2018, and was seeded 31st in slopestyle in 2019.
- Shina Bride Dölfs: Dutch model who has appeared in various fashion and beauty advertisements, and has been featured on the covers of magazines such as Rodeo and Marie Claire.
- Lauri Dölfs: Estonian performance artist who teaches contemporary performance, installation, and applied arts.
- Chris Dölfs: German television presenter, voice actor, and comedian who has been seen on shows such as "Switch Reloaded" and "Protokollmarie".
- Henry Dölfs: Canadian actor who has appeared on television series such as "The Listener", "Combat Hospital", and "Rex Haultain".
- Paul Dölfs: German historian and professor at the University of Göttingen, known for his publications on 19th and 20th century European history.
- Age Dölfs: Dutch-American sculptor who has exhibited across the globe, his work focusing on the fluid relationship between organic and industrial forms.
- Peter Dölfs: German stage and film actor who has appeared in numerous television and motion pictures, most recently in "Babylon Berlin" (2017).