Surname Wölbert - Meaning and Origin
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Wölbert: What does the surname Wölbert mean?
The history of the German surname Wölbert is closely linked to the small town of Fulda, located in the state of Hesse. The surname Wölbert was first documented in this area in 1799. It is of German origin and the literal meaning of the name is "who reigns as an untitled nobleman".
In the Middle Ages, when only the aristocrats held noble titles, many people used the surname "Wölbert" even though they weren't noble by birth. This became especially prevalent during the Protestant Reformation when many non-nobles adopted the title because they considered themselves to be part of a new social class.
The surname "Wölbert" is still common in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and parts of the Netherlands. It is also becoming increasingly popular in the United States, as many of those with German roots have emigrated there.
The surname Wölbert is a great indicator that your ancestors were part of the upper social classes in a time when Germany was divided into many small principalities. It is a mark of quality and prestige, and may confirm someone's position of power and privilege.
Order DNA origin analysisWölbert: Where does the name Wölbert come from?
The last name Wölbert is found mainly in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and other German-speaking countries. It was first reported in the eastern regions of the Holy Roman Empire in the late 14th century, particularly in the area now known as Thuringia, located in the central part of the country. In the modern age, the name is most commonly found in southern Germany, particularly around the Bavarian area. Additionally, individual members of the Wölbert family can be found scattered throughout central and northern Europe.
Today, the surname is found in Germany most frequently, from the small villages in the valleys of the Black Forest, to the major cities of Berlin, Dresden, and Munich. Outside of Germany, the surname is moderately common in Switzerland, with smaller pockets of Wölberts spread throughout the country. In Austria, Wölbert is found mainly around Vienna, Salzburg, and some other larger cities.
Across the world, there are some members of the Wölbert family living in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other parts of North America. Additionally, there are some members of the Wölbert family living in Mexico, South America, and other parts of the world where German-speaking immigrants have made their homes. In total, there are estimated to be over 4,000 Wölbert’s living in the world today.
Variations of the surname Wölbert
The surname Wölbert can have several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Wolf is one of the most common Germanic derivatives of the surname Wölbert. Other common variations include Wolff, Wolfman, and Wolffman. The Dutch variant of the surname, Wolpert, is also quite popular.
In its original, German form, Wölbert can take on several spellings, depending on the spelling conventions of a given region. Some common variations include Wölffert, Wolffert, Wölfert, and Wulffert.
In the United States, many descendants of European immigrants altered their names to adapt them to the English language. As a result, some of the prevalent spellings of Wölbert in the US include Wolbert, Wolbirt, Wulbert, and Woolbert.
The surnames Wölbert and Wolbert are also affiliated with variations like Volpert, Vuolbert, and Vuolbirt in some regions. Other less common spellings include Wülbert, Wülffert, Wolbirt, and Wulpe.
Wölbert surnames can also be further divided into patronymic surnames. These are names that are based on the fathers' given name. For instance, a son born to a father named Wolf would be given the surname Wolfson, while a daughter with the same father would be given the surname Wolfdottir. The same holds true for variations of Wölbert, with a son taking the name Wolffson and a daughter taking the name Wolffdottir.
No matter what the spelling, many variations of the Wölbert surname have a common origin, sharing a rich history that dates back several centuries.
Famous people with the name Wölbert
- Julian Wölbert: Professional football player for VfL Osnabrück in the 3. Liga.
- Tobias Wölbert: Former professional table tennis player recognized for his involvement in the founding of the German Table Tennis Association.
- Emma Wölbert: German social media personality and actress who plays the role of Mary Watson in the German Netflix series, Reine Mädchenträume.
- Friedrich Wölbert: Composer and director of the noted Koelner Oratorien society, one of the leading oratorio societies of the late 19th century.
- Valerius Wölbert: German landscape painter in the Romantic tradition, a member of the Nazarene movement.
- Johann Friedrich Wölbert: Baroque composer, organist and pedagogue who worked in several German cities.
- Marianne Wölbert: German baroque composer and master of recorders and flutes.
- Henrike Wölbert: German attorney and professor at the University of Hamburg who specializes in labor law.
- Lina Wölbert-Franz: German female alpine skier who competed in the 1950s and 1960s.
- Max Wölbert: German-born American painter of landscapes and seascapes, mainly in watercolor.