Surname Vollandt - Meaning and Origin

Vollandt: What does the surname Vollandt mean?

The last name Vollandt is of German origin and is derived from a combination of two ancient German words, “voll” meaning “full” and “ant” meaning “man”. It is an occupational name for a professional merchant or trader and, as such, is an apt way to designate a person who bought and sold goods for a living. In some cases, the ancestor of the name may have been a craftsman or ox-driver employed by a professional trader on a full-time basis.

The spelling of the surname has varied considerably over the centuries. In the Old German period, the familly name was sometimes spelled Vollenant, Follant, Phollant, Vallant or Volantz and in some cases, derivatives of this were adopted as surnames.

Some families of the Vollandt surname can trace their ancestry back to the late medieval period in Old Bavaria. In the 13th century, records also show evidence that many families of the surname had established themselves in the Rhineland.

The Vollandts are closely associated with Bremen, where some of the earliest extant records of the name can be found. During the 1500s and 1600s, the Vollandt family was known as traders and shipowners, with ships trading to many different parts of the world.

Today, the surname Vollandt is still found in Germany, especially in the city of Bremen. It is also found in other countries, particularly in North and South America. Many families of the Vollandt surname have retained the traditional spelling and pronunciation.

Vollandt: Where does the name Vollandt come from?

The last name Vollandt is predominantly found in Germany today. Geographically speaking, the majority of people who bear the name are from the northwest part of the country, particularly North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. Smaller numbers of Vollandts can be found elsewhere in Germany, as well as other European countries with significant Germanic populations such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

The etymology of the name Vollandt is derived from the Old German personal name "Voland." This might mean either "ruler of the people" or "who speaks loudly or widely." Vollandt became prominent as a surname in the region during the Middle Ages. It was first recorded in the state of Schleswig-Holstein in the 16th century.

The Vollandt family was originally from the nobility in northern Germany and some members of the family rose to become powerful members of the ruling classes. Some family members branched out into the branches of commerce and industry such as banking.

Many of the Vollandts scattered across Europe during World War II, resulting in the surname becoming spread out among different nations. Today the name is still concentrated in its original homeland of Germany but it is present all over Europe, North America, Australia, and South America.

Variations of the surname Vollandt

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Vollandt include Vollant, Vollend, Vollent, Vollnit, Vollnite, Vollan, Volent, Vollen, Volant, Vollat, Vollut, Vollot, Vollutte, Vollantt, Vollentt, Vollatt, Vollatte, Vollutte, and Vollut.

The earliest recording of the term Vollandt can be traced back to 1445 in Germany with references to both the Vollend and Vollant surnames being recorded in Germany around the same time. Other variant spellings started to emerge soon after.

The surviving variations of the Vollandt surname are likely to be linked to the German language, as the form of the surname reflects a contraction of the German verb "vollen" which means “to fill.” This could imply that the bearers of this name were known for their resourcefulness and their ability to “fill” whatever needs they faced.

Possible variants of the surname arising out of phonetic spelling changes over time include Volan, Volant, Vollen, Vollend, Vollent, Vollant, Vollantt, Vollatt, Vollatte, Vollnit, Vollnite, Vollot, Vollut, Vollutte.

The origin and meaning of the Vollandt surname show the diversity and importance of understanding our family’s past. As the last names come in a variety of spellings, it is important to remember that regardless of which spelling we use, we can all trace our ancestry and be proud of it.

Famous people with the name Vollandt

• Guillaume Vollandt: French composer and principal horn of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Benjamin Vollandt: German professional football player.
• Kirsten Vollandt: Spanish former handball player who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Martin Vollandt: German visual artist and professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich.
• Rob Vollandt: American sports anchor and reporter for FOX Sports North.
• Valeriy Vollandt: Paralympic athlete from Ukraine who specializes in javelin and high jump.
• Dr. Erna Vollandt: German doctor, writer, and social activist.
• Joëlle Vollandt: French author, editor, and film critic.
• Leif Vollandt: Danish player on the World Cup-winning Danish soccer team in 1992.
• Bill Vollandt: Canadian ice hockey player who played in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Other surnames

Volland