Surname Wölleke - Meaning and Origin
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Wölleke: What does the surname Wölleke mean?
The last name Wölleke is of German origin and is related to the name Wolleke. The underlying source of the name is derived from the Old High German word "wolla" which means "wall." This likely refers to someone living or working near a wall. Over time, the name may have also been used to denote someone who was a skilled stone or brick mason as well as someone who lived or worked near a wall.
The surname Wölleke is believed to be related to a number of toponyms and is most commonly found in the eastern part of Germany and in the neighboring countries of Austria and Switzerland. It is also found in areas where German immigrants settled, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In Germany, the Wölleke name can be used as an occupational surname, signifying someone who was a mason or laborer responsible for the maintenance of walls. It can also refer to a family dwelling in close proximity to a wall or structure. In addition, in Germany the name Wölleke can be an indicator of noble or royal status.
The English form of the last name Wölleke is typically spelled as Welleke or Wilk. Variants of the surname include Wolke, Wulke, Wülke, and Wulk. The Wölleke name is relatively uncommon and can denote individuals and families of exceptional skills and or social standing.
Order DNA origin analysisWölleke: Where does the name Wölleke come from?
The last name Wölleke is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is an old Germanic name that is occasionally found in other countries with German-speaking populations.
The name originates from a German verb meaning “to plough” and may have been given to a ploughman. Alternatively, the surname is derived from an old personal name or a place name derived from the Middle High German word “willeke” which means “willow”. It is also a variation of the German place name “Wöllenkemper”, meaning “willow field”.
The surname Wölleke is quite rare today, but there is a concentration of Wöllekes living in Germany. According to the German census in 2019, there are approximately 500 people bearing the name Wölleke living in Germany today.
The surname can also be found in other countries with German-speaking populations. In Switzerland, the frequency of the name Wölleke is relatively small, but it is used by some Swiss people of German origin. The same can be said about Austria, where the name Wölleke is also widely used by Austrian-Germans.
In other countries outside the German-speaking world, the frequency of the surname Wölleke is much lower. However, the name can still be found in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, mostly among people with German heritage.
Variations of the surname Wölleke
The surname Wölleke is also spelled Woelke, Woelleke, Woellecke, Wöllicke, and Wöllike. These are all variants of the German surname, originating from the Middle Low German word “wellen”, meaning “hilly landscape”.
Wölleke is usually found in Lower Saxony, Germany, where it is found in the Kreis of Osnabrück and Emsland. In addition, it can be found in Pomerania, Silesia, and West Prussia.
Variants of the surname can be found in other parts of Europe, most notably the Netherlands, France, and the Scandinavian countries. Spelling variations of Wölleke include Woelleke, Woellecke, Woellicke, and Woellike. Other similar surnames, with slightly different spellings, include Wollek, Wollke, Wollick, and Wolligke, all of which are also forms of the same surname.
In the United States, Wölleke is a rare surname, with most families adopting the Americanization of their original surname. Common Americanized spellings include Wolek, Wolk, Wolleke, and Werleke. There may also be other regional variations of the same name, including Winkle, Weleck, Vandeleke, and Wegelke.
Despite the name having many variants, it is all ultimately of the same origin. Although the spelling of the surname might differ from region to region, it can be traced back to its origins in Germany, where it is still found in certain areas today.
Famous people with the name Wölleke
- Erik Wölleke: German footballer currently playing for SpVgg Unterhaching in the 3. Liga
- Piet Wölleke the Elder: Dutch painter, draftsman, printmaker, stained glass artist and furniture designer.
- Wolfgang Wölleke: German physicist and professor at the University of Freiburg.
- Piet Wölleke the Younger: Dutch painter, draftsman, watercolourist and stained glass artist, son of Piet Wölleke the Elder
- Ulf Wölleke: German football manager and former player
- Oluf Andres Wölleke: Norwegian Olympic sailor
- Christian Ulrich Wölleke: German-American Early modernist painter and printmaker
- Katherine Wölleke: American film producer
- Sonia Wölleke: German film producer and script executive
- Richard Wölleke: German television editor, producer and director from North Rhine-Westphalia.