Surname Volkner - Meaning and Origin
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Volkner: What does the surname Volkner mean?
Volkner is a German surname meaning 'people of the wolf'. In Old German, the root word 'valken' referred to a person who was strong and brave like a wolf. The wolf is a symbol of protection, intelligence, strength, and loyalty, making it a fitting symbol of the Volkner family.
Many of the original Volkner family members were most likely part of the medieval nobility, most likely bearing the title of 'von' before their surname. The Volkner surname was very common among the feudal lords of Germany, and it is estimated that over 200 castles were laid claim to by the Volkner family.
The Volkner surname continues to be highly popular among German citizens today, and is found all over the world in various forms such as 'Walker', 'Folker', 'Volker', 'Volkers' and more. The name is especially popular in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, reflecting the continuing emigration of the Volkner family from Germany.
The strong and brave characteristics of the wolf remain a consistent hallmark of the Volkner surname. With over hundreds of years of history behind it, the Volkner family continues to have a strong presence and be highly regarded in both society and popular culture.
Order DNA origin analysisVolkner: Where does the name Volkner come from?
The last name Volkner is most common in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Germany and Poland. It is a relatively rare name and has not spread very far beyond these two regions.
In Germany, the Volkner name is most widespread in the eastern states, specifically in the states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Thüringen, and Sachsen. In 2017, it was the 7,951st most common surname in Germany, making up 0.002% of all surnames.
In Poland, the name Volkner is most common in the western states. Specifically, more than 10% of the population with the last name Volkner live in the regions of Masovian, Greater Poland, and Lower Silesia. In 2017, it was the 38th most common surname in Poland, making up 0.017% of all surnames.
It is thought that the surname Volkner originated in Germany and was later carried over to Poland during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Outside of Germany and Poland, the last name Volkner is not very common and is mostly found in small pockets of Central and Eastern Europe. Additional research shows that the name can also be found in the United States, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand, but in all cases it is much rarer than its German and Polish counterparts.
Variations of the surname Volkner
The surname Volkner is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "volkere," meaning "people." It is mostly found in Germany and the German-speaking parts of Switzerland. Variants of the surname include: Folker, Folkerin, Falke, Falkere, Volcker, Volker, Volk, Wolke, Wolker, Völker, and Völkerin.
In Scotland, the surname is often spelled Falke. In the United States, it is frequently spelled Volkner or Volker. Variations of the name in other countries may include Fölke in Germany and Fölk in Austria.
One possible variant spelling of the surname is Volckers. This spelling is most commonly found in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Other surnames that may be derived from or related to the name Volkner include Falken, Falkner, Volknar, Volknerin, Volknar, Wolkere, and Volckner.
Variations in spelling of the surname have mostly occurred as people have moved from one place to another. This is especially true for America, where immigrants have pronounced the surname in several different ways. For instance, families originating from Germany may spell the surname Volkner while families from Holland might spell it Volcker.
No matter what the variant, all versions of the surname ultimately refer to the same concept—people. Families who bear this surname can thus be proud of their diverse cultural heritage and can trace their history back to the very beginnings of recorded history.
Famous people with the name Volkner
- Richard Volkner: former professional footballer and former assistant manager of German Bundesliga club 1. FC Union Berlin.
- Truett Volkner: Bassist and vocalist of the electric blues/r&b band Roomful of Blues.
- William E. Volkner: American NASA astronaut who flew on two Space Shuttle missions and commanded one.
- Pat Volkner: American chemist, geologist, and oceanographer who developed a method for using radar to map the ocean floor.
- Louis Volkner: founder and managing director of the renowned Volkner Performance vehicle afford-to-own company.
- Anna Volkner: Baroque composer from the late 17th century.
- Hermann Volkner: German politician who served as President of the Bavarian Parliament from 1920 to 1930.
- Jason Volkner: American ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League, most notably for the San Jose Sharks.
- Berthold Volkner: German architect and sculptor known for designing and sculpting industrial buildings during the 19th century.
- Rudolf Volkner: German botanist and physicist who researched the new science of plant physiology at the University of Leipzig in the late 19th century.