Surname Wolfrath - Meaning and Origin

Wolfrath: What does the surname Wolfrath mean?

The last name Wolfrath is of German origin and it is believed to have derived from pre-medieval times. The literal translation of Wolfrath is believed to be ‘wolf den’, possibly referring to a place where wolves lived or a place known for having a thriving wolf population. The Wolfrath family is thought to have come from Thuringia, a region of East-Central Germany.

The surname is uncommon, however it is assumed that most people who carry the name Wolfrath today are descended from the original Wolfrath family of Thuringia. Other areas of Germany where the Wolfrath family name is prevalent are Hamburg and Westphalia.

Various spellings for the name have been found throughout Europe, including Wolfrad, Wolfruth and Wolfrud. It is possible that geographical divisions or dialects for the language spoken in those areas caused the variations in spelling.

Wolfrath is not a very common household name these days, however there are still a few people around the world who identify with it. Wolfrath is an interesting name that traces its roots back hundreds of years and is testament to the long history of Germany and its people.

Wolfrath: Where does the name Wolfrath come from?

Today, the last name Wolfrath is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast. It is also found in smaller concentrations in Canada, Germany, and other parts of Europe.

The Wolfrath family was part of a large wave of immigrants that originated from German-speaking regions in the mid- to late 19th century. Those with the Wolfrath surname have likely descended from a long line of skilled craftsmen, according to census data.

Based on recent census records, the states with the highest concentration of Wolfrath are Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, although nearby states such as Minnesota, Indiana, and Illinois also have smaller concentrations. Compared to the other states, Ohio and Pennsylvania have the highest concentrations of Wolfrath, with the former constituting 4.27 per 1,000 residents and the latter constituting 3.52 per 1,000 residents.

But the presence of Wolfraths is no longer limited to the United States. Due to the continued migration of people from all over the world, the last name Wolfrath can now be found in France, Germany, Canada, and even Australia.

As the centuries have passed since the original Germanic immigration, the Wolfraths have spanned the America and the world, making the last name Wolfrath one of the more commonly seen in the 21st century.

Variations of the surname Wolfrath

The surname Wolfrath has various spellings and iterations that are related in origin. As is common in many Germanic languages, the letter 'w' can be substituted with the letter 'v', so surnames such as Waldrath, Walrath, Valrath, Volfrath, and Woolfarth are all potential spellings of the same root.

In the United States, many of these surnames have been simplified even further, such as in the case of Woolfarth being shortened to Wulfarth or Woolfart.

When the root is translated into Dutch, the spelling changes to Wolffraat or Wolraat. When the root is translated into French, it takes on the spelling Valras or Valeras.

Other variants include Wolfe, Wolfarth, Wolford, Wolfert, Wolfhart, Wulffarth, Wulffert, Vollrath, Voorhees, Wollfarth and Wollfert.

All of these variants refer to a literal wolf’s den or home, as Wolfrath and its associated variants all derive from the Dutch or German words for ‘wolf’ and ‘home’ - ‘wolff’ and ‘rath’, respectively.

The surname Wolfrath is also found in various Jewish families and is associated with the Yiddish name Volovitch, which comes from the same root word as Wolfrath.

The various spellings and surnames that originate from the same source provide insight into how family names have changed and evolved over time, particularly when shifting from one language to another. They also provide evidence of the history of name migrations and of the relationships between languages.

Famous people with the name Wolfrath

• Michael Wolfrath: An American figure skater who achieved success during the 1980s. He was a United States National silver medalist in 1983 and competed in two World Championships.
• Werner Wolfrath: A German Brazilian businessman and industrialist born in 1719. He established one of the first commercial breweries in Brazil.
• Dr. Reiner Wolfrath: German historian of medieval and later European history. He is considered a leading specialist in the rise of towns and cities in medieval Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.
• Max Wolfrath: German-French businessman and industrialist who started a textile company in the 18th century and founded the Deutsche Industrie und Handelsbank.
• Holger Wolfrath: German entrepreneur and early proponent of eco-friendly automobiles. He founded his own car company in 1996 and has since produced several electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered cars.
• Paul Wolfrath: American film producer and director of numerous studio and independent films. He is best known for his comedies and cult classic horror films.
• Angela Wolfrath: German actor, director, and producer. She won several awards for her roles in feature films and television series.
• Eric Wolfrath: American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He has released multiple albums as a solo artist, as well as collaborating with other musicians to create unique projects.
• Jacob Wolfrath: British actor, director, and playwright. He has had roles in various movies and television shows, and is also known for his prolific theatre work.
• Anna Wolfrath: Swiss artist, art collector, and philanthropist. She developed a large collection of modern and contemporary art and has established various art foundations.

Other surnames

WolframWolframmWolfratWolfraum