Surname Dewolf - Meaning and Origin

Dewolf: What does the surname Dewolf mean?

The name DeWolf is of ancient European origin and it has variations in different countries including France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, and England. The "de" in DeWolf is a French term that means "of" or "from", denoting noble lineage, while "Wolf" is often associated with symbolic meanings of courage, warrior, or power in many cultures. Therefore, the name DeWolf may stand for ‘of the wolf', representing someone strong or ferocious, or who came from a place that was associated with wolves. Another interpretation could be that it was an occupational nickname or identified the individual as the keeper of the wolves. It's worth noting that names were often given based on a person's characteristics or their place of origin in earlier times, providing a hint to their ancestry.

Dewolf: Where does the name Dewolf come from?

The surname DeWolf originates from France. It is derived from the Old French word "loup," meaning "wolf," a nickname for a fierce or powerful warrior. The prefix "de," in French, means "of," so the name originally meant "of the wolf." This name is also prevalent in England, where the Norman Conquest in the 11th century led to an influx of French names.

Today, the surname DeWolf is common in the United States, particularly in the Northeastern region. It is often associated with the DeWolf family of Bristol, Rhode Island, who were prominent slave traders in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Besides the United States, the DeWolf surname can also be found in Canada, and with reasonable prevalence in Belgium and the Netherlands, likely due to geographic proximity and historical ties with France. Variations of the surname, such as "DeWulf" or "DeWolf," can also be seen.

Variations of the surname Dewolf

The surname DeWolf is of Dutch and Belgian origin, derived from Old Norse elements "de" meaning "the" and "wolf" which translates to "wolf." This name would have been given to someone who was fierce and brave like a wolf.

Variants of the surname DeWolf can include De Wolfs, DeWolfes, and DeWolff. It could also be anglicized as Wolf, Wolfe, or Wulff. Even if there's a space and a small spelling variation, all of them carry the same meaning. They may have been altered due to regional accents or different interpretations of the original spelling, often influenced by the environment, region, or context the name was used in.

DeWolf is closely related to other European surnames that also portray the character or imagery of a wolf. These include the French Le Loup, Spanish de Lobo, and Italian Del Lupo. Each of these can potentially be variants of DeWolf depending on family migration and the subsequent changes to the name.

Moreover, the surname DeWolf may also be related to German wolf-based surnames such as Wolf, Wolfram, or Wolfgang, reflecting the shared Germanic linguistic and cultural history. However, the direct equivalence of these names would require more specific genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Dewolf

• Robert Gray DeWolf: He was an American Naval officer who served in World War I and II, and later became the president of Bath Iron Works Corp.
• Fanny DeWolf: She was a famous 19th-century American actress known for her roles in Shakespearean plays.
• John DeWolf IV: A prominent Canadian businessman, political figure in Nova Scotia, and a member of the prominent DeWolf family.
• J. DeWolf Addison: An American actor most known for his roles in horror films.
• Loek de Wolf: A famous Dutch footballer who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
• David DeWolf: Founder and CEO of 3Pillar Global, a product development services company.
• Madison DeWolf: A contemporary artist renown for his mural and printmaking.
• John Allen DeWolf: An engineer who played a key role in design and construction of Canada's first dry dock in the 1869.
• Jeffrey DeWolf: An American former ski jumper who competed in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
• Charles DeWolf: An American surgeon who was president of the New York Pathological Society and contributed greatly to the field of medicine.

Other surnames

DewolfeDewolff