Surname Wölflinger - Meaning and Origin

Wölflinger: What does the surname Wölflinger mean?

The surname Wölflinger is a German topographic name for someone who lived by a wolf’s den, derived from the Middle High German term “welf,” meaning “wolf,” and “linger,” meaning “place.” The family name is common in the western regions of Germany, Bavaria and Württemberg.

The name is believed to be of ancient origin, likely dating back to the Middle Ages. During the medieval period, being an inhabitant of a named wolf’s den was a symbol of strength and courage. This is probably why the Wolflinger family attended the royal court in Vienna in 1321, possibly as advisors. They continued to work at the court for many years, becoming highly respected and honored.

Today the Wölflinger name carries on in many European countries, as well as the United States and Canada. It is typically spelled Wolfinger, Wolfinger and Wolfanga, and other variations. Wolflinger is recognized as an honorable name representing a man of strength and courage.

In modern times, the Wolflinger name is a reminder of a long family legacy of courage and strength. Its bearers are proud of the name’s historical roots and the life of service that it represents.

Wölflinger: Where does the name Wölflinger come from?

The last name Wölflinger is a Germanic surname, which is most common in Germany and Austria today. The name dates back to the Middle Ages when it was used as an occupational name to denote someone connected with the keeping of wolves. The etymology of the name is comprised of two words, Wolf andlinger, with lingers meaning “a person or thing that lingers”.

In addition to Germany and Austria, the name Wölflinger can be found in Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The name is also particularly prevalent in the United States of America where it can be seen among the surnames of German immigrants who were folk who once lived in the areas of modern day Germany and Austria and who came to America during the 19th and 20th centuries to seek better lives.

In the US, the name is most prevalent in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and California. In terms of frequency, the last name is ranked at 43,253, which makes it among the around 10,000 most common surnames.

Furthermore, a search on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter reveals that the last name has a presence on those sites with people of various ethnicities and nationalities having adopted it, which likely reflects the wide dispersal of those with Germanic ancestry either through emigration from Europe or through intermarriage within other cultures. What is more, the numerous Wölflingers found in the US demonstrate the long history of Germanic migrants in the US and that their influence is still seen today.

Variations of the surname Wölflinger

The surname Wölflinger originates from German language and is believed to have derived from the word Wölfling which means ‘Little Wolf’. It is believed to be an occupational name given to someone who worked with and cared for wolves in medieval times.

Variants of the surname Wölflinger include Welflinger, Wölfing, Wolflinger, Wülfling, Wülflinger, Wolflin, and Wolfing.

In some parts of Germany, the surname Wölflinger was sometimes given in dialect forms such as Wolfli, Wölfli, Wolfli, Wöfli, Wisel, and Wifeling. These were all derived from the same root.

In some cases, the surnames were further compounded with the patronymic suffix “s”, which was common in Germany and other countries. Examples of these surnames include Wolflings, Wolfs, Wölfs, and Wifels.

In other cases, in Austria and some parts of Germany, the surname Wölflinger was further compounded with the common suffix of “er”, which turned the surname into Wolflinger.

Similarly, in a few cases the suffix “weld” was added, which gave rise to surnames such as Wölfweld and Wülfweld.

In some cases, the surname Wölflinger may have also been changed into Wölfel, which would have been derived from the word Wölfling. This is a common change which often took place when surnames were spelled phonetically.

Overall, there are many variants and derivatives of the surname Wölflinger which can be found in Germany and other parts of Europe depending on regional spelling customs and dialect forms.

Famous people with the name Wölflinger

• Anton Wölflinger was an Austrian botanist and crystallographer known for his studies of ice crystals.
• Lukas Wölflinger was an Austrian racewalker who won a bronze medal in the 50 km event at the 1995 World Championships in Athletics.
• Kurt Wölflinger was an Austrian Olympic skier who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics.
• Traude Wölflinger was an Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics.
• Florian Wölflinger is an Austrian ski jumper who won a bronze medal at the 2014 Junior World Ski Championships.
• Bob Wölflinger is a Swiss-born Austrian sprinter who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics.
• Brigitte Wölflinger-Leopold was an Austrian writer, known for her novel The Big Summer.
• Johann Wölflinger was an Austrian businessman who ran a successful textile factory during the first half of the 20th century.
• Josef Wölflinger was an Austrian psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who authored works on the psychology of mourning and the history of psychoanalysis.
• Margarethe Wölflinger was an Austrian pianist, conductor and composer of the late 19th century.

Other surnames

Wölfling