Surname Wollemann - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wollemann: What does the surname Wollemann mean?
The last name Wollemann is German in origin and historically was used as a surname in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. The name indicates the family likely originated from one of these regions. Derived from the German words ‘wolle’ (wool) and ‘mann’ (man), the surname Wollemann originally indicated a person who was involved in the wool industry as a fibre producer, trader or processor. This could have included occupations such as rug braiders, cloth merchants, or clothiers.
Today, the name Wollemann is less commonly associated with occupations in the wool industry as the technological advances of modern times have enabled us to produce and clean wool in ways much more efficient than ever before. Instead, the Wollemann name is now more likely to be associated with individuals who have German heritage, or those who simply live in countries with German heritage.
The Wollemann name is quite rare, however significant increases in frequency have been seen since the 19th century when families began emigrating from Europe to mostly English-speaking countries such as the United States and Canada. This increase indicates the name is still finding its place into developing futures across the world.
Order DNA origin analysisWollemann: Where does the name Wollemann come from?
The last name Wollemann is most common in Germany today. Specifically it is found in the German region of Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as in the states of Saarland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Berlin, and Brandenburg. It is most commonly found near the southwestern area of Germany, in the area around the cities of Koblenz, Trier, Köln, Mainz, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. According to a popular genealogy website, the last name is also found in parts of Belgium, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the United States.
The name is derived from the German word 'Wolle' which means accumulated assets and indicates that the original family was wealthy. Since then, many descendants have taken on this last name as their own, resulting in its wide distribution today. It is primarily a German-origin surname, but there are also non-German individuals who have adopted the name.
The name has also been altered over time to create versions such as Wollman, Wollenen, Wollenman, and Wollerman. Over the years, its popularity has fluctuated, but is generally holding steady in its primary locations. Whether the original holders were landowners or financial elites, the last name Wollemann has successfully remained, and it is alive and well in Germany and elsewhere today.
Variations of the surname Wollemann
The Wollemann surname has a variety of possible variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. These variants range from dialectical to phonetic and include Woolman, Woolleman, Wulleman, Woolman, Wulmann, Wollman, Wollaemann, and Wullmann.
Some of these names have evolved through dialectal changes such as those that originated in Northern Germany. In this area, the name Woolman was most common, with the addition of the '-man' suffix, which could be interpreted as 'man of wool'. Others have undergone phonetic changes as the name was adopted in other countries. For instance, Wulleman was the variation chosen by immigrants to the United States with most frequency.
The origin of the name is thought to stem from the Middle High German woˀlman which referred to a vendor or distributer of wool. The surname was most common in central/northwest Germany, but can now more typically be found in the Rheinland, specifically in the area within Germany close to the Netherlands border.
The name can also be seen in other countries where people with the same roots have emigrated. A few examples include Wulleman in the Netherlands, Wullman, Wullaemann and Wullmann in France, Wollmann and Woolman in Denmark, and Wolleman in Australia.
No matter the variant, the Wollemann surname is derived from the same German roots and reflects an interest in trading wool, or a man with a trade in wool.
Famous people with the name Wollemann
- Jeffrey Wollemann (Professional soccer player)
- Holger Wollemann (Operatic Tenor)
- Michael Wollemann (Sculptor and Painter)
- Wolf Wollemann (Graphic Designer)
- Priscilla Wollemann (Fashion Model)
- Bernhard Wollemann (Danish Comedian)
- Tanja Wollemann (Federal Court of Justice Judge)
- Nico Wollemann (Photographer and Filmmaker)
- Johannes Wollemann (Professional Soccer Coach)
- Förster Wollemann (Chef of Düsseldorf Airport Police)