Surname Wolan - Meaning and Origin
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Wolan: What does the surname Wolan mean?
The last name Wolan is a surname of Polish origin, which is derived from the Slavonic word “wola”, meaning “desire” or “endearing will”. The Wolan surname indicates that the original bearer was likely someone who was very motivated, persistent, and perhaps even outspoken when it comes to their desires and goals.
The Wolan surname can be found all around the globe - however, it is most commonly found in Nordic-European countries, especially in Poland and Germany. It is most frequently seen as a Jewish surname, indicating that its original bearer was likely from a family of Jewish decent, and that it has been passed down through generations.
The Wolan surname is a noble name and it has a long and proud history. Historically, the Wolan family was quite prominent; their members were noted for their hard work, loyalty, and dedication to their families and communities. They served their countries and local communities in many different capacities, and this can still be seen among modern members of the Wolan family.
The modern-day Wolan family is a diverse group, consisting of professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, artists, and homeowners in various countries. As a proud and ancient family, the Wolans still carry the same drive and ambition that their ancestors did, as well as the same commitment to excellence in all of their endeavors.
Order DNA origin analysisWolan: Where does the name Wolan come from?
The last name Wolan is most common today in the United States, with the highest concentrations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.
In Pennsylvania, the highest concentration of Wolan families can be found in northeastern and south-central counties. In these areas, Wolan is the 839th most common surname. In Ohio, the surname Wolan is most common in the metropolitan areas of Cleveland and Akron. It's the 456th most common surname in the state.
In New York, the Wolan surname is most common in the western and southwest parts of the state. In the Bronx, Wolan is the 571st most common surname. Across the whole state, Wolan is the 992nd most common surname.
The Wolan surname is also comparatively common in other parts of the United States, especially in states with large immigrant populations. In California, for example, Wolan is the 3,767th most common surname.
In terms of international incidence, the Wolan surname is most common in the Netherlands, where it occupies rank 682 in terms of popularity. It is also relatively common in Austria, where it is the 1,372nd most common surname.
Overall, the surname Wolan is most common in the northeastern United States, with an additional concentration in southwestern parts of the country. It also has a strong presence in parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Wolan
The surname Wolan has a long history and can be found across many parts of the world. It likely originated in the old Slavic region, and has several regional spellings and variants.
In Poland, the Wolan surname is spelled “Wolan or Wolanowski,” while in Russia “Volin” or “Volinii” is often used. In Lithuania, the spellings “Volanas,” “Volancevicius,” and “Volanskas” all exist. Similarly, in the Czech Republic, the spellings “Vlan,” “Vlanek,” and “Volanski” can be found.
The surname is also found in other countries where Slavic cultures have migrated. In Sweden, for example, it is spelled “Vonolk,” and in Bulgaria it is spelled“Vulanov.” In Serbia, the surnames “Vujanovic,” “Vulanovic,” and “Vulanovich” are all variations of the Wolan name.
In many other countries, the surname is sometimes spelled with slight variation, such as “Woolan” in Australia, “Vuhan” in Hungary, and “Volanich” in the US. It is also sometimes combined with other names to form surnames such as “Volonivicius” in Lithuania, or “Volanec” in Ukraine.
As such, the Wolan surname carries a wide variety of regional spellings and surnames. While each may be unique, they all hint to a common and globally-spread Slavic heritage that has spanned centuries.
Famous people with the name Wolan
- Kenneth Wolan—an American scientist and professor of chemical physics.
- Christopher Wolan—an Australian actor, filmmaker, and producer.
- Dan Wolan—an American politician and former Michigan State Representative.
- Erik Wolan—an American professional hockey player.
- Brad Wolan—a former American football player.
- Christine Wolan—an American visual artist and professor of sculpture.
- Mary Wolan—an American opera singer.
- Serena Wolan—an American model and Miss USA contestant.
- Beth Wolan—an American musical artist and singer-songwriter.
- Zdenka Wolan—a former Czech movie actress.
- Matthew Wolan—an American poet, writer, and visual artist.
- Nicholas Wolan—an American professional tennis player.
- Gretchen Wolan—a former American sailor who was a member of the U.S. Olympic team.
- Konrad Wolan—a former German sculptor and medalist.
- Paul Wolan—a former Australian rowing athlete and Olympian.