Surname Folge - Meaning and Origin
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Folge: What does the surname Folge mean?
The last name Folge is an occupational surname of German origin, derived from the word ‘folgen’ which means ‘to follow’. This name was most likely given to an individual who was hired to follow someone important or a person in a position of power. It could have also referred to a ‘follower’ or ‘henchman’ to someone wealthy or of noble birth.
The other possible origin behind the Folge name is that it refers to the occupation of a ‘Pilgerfahrer’, a sort of pilgrim guide. Pilgrims would hire someone to travel with them to guide them to their place of pilgrimage, protect them on their journey and offer directions and advice.
Much can be inferred from the origins of last names like the Folge name. It can give us a hint into people’s occupations, cultures and life a lifetime ago. In the case of the Folge name, it is likely that it was given to someone who served the interests of a powerful person and provided useful service to many pilgrims. It is a reminder of life’s changing lifestyles and the traditions of many different cultures.
Order DNA origin analysisFolge: Where does the name Folge come from?
The last name Folge is most commonly found in Germany. It is believed to have originated in the southern German region of Palatinate, where it was mainly associated with the Pirmasens district. The surname Folge is an occupational name, originating during the Middle Ages. At that time, people often acquired last names based on their occupation within a particular community. The name Folge means “guard” in English, and is believed to be associated with the people who were in charge of watching over the members of a particular group or community. It could also be related to a specific type of guard who would go with travelers on long journeys.
More recently, the name Folge has seen a higher concentration of use in regions of Germany such as Lower Saxony, Thuringia, and Saxony-Anhalt. It is also one of the 10 most common surnames in Austria. In addition, there are some people of German descent who have the surname Folge in Brazil, thanks to the immigrants who went there in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Given the frequency of this surname in German-speaking countries, it is fair to assume that the last name Folge is still in use in many areas today. In fact, with the continuous modernization and globalization of our society, it may even start to become more widely spread throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Folge
Folge is a German and Scandinavian surname with several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Variants of the surname include Fölge, Följer, Follge, Follgeyer, Foller, Fœlge, Föelges, Folgueer, Folgueyer, Folger, Folgers, Folges, Follger, Follgers, Follges, Folggger, and Föllge.
Less common variations include Fölegge and Furnlegge.
Spellings of the surname include Fölge, Följe, Föllge, Följer, Fölger, Fölges, Folge, Fölegge, and Follge.
Surnames of the same origin include Flegler, Flege, Fleige, and Flegele.
Folge is a derived from the medieval German word 'fölge' meaning 'follower', which is also a descriptive nickname for someone who acts in the capacity of a follower. It likely evolved from a nickname given to a person with this characteristic, and over time, it became an identifier for the descendants of the bearer.
The surname is likely patronymic in origin and is derived from the given name 'Fölge' or 'Folge', a pet form of several given names including 'Folchard', 'Folmar', 'Folker', 'Folkerich', 'Folkerus', 'Folkmar', 'Folko', 'Folkrad', and 'Folkwin'.
The surname Folge is widespread throughout Europe, mainly in Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia, and Austria.
Although the name is most commonly found in German speaking countries, it has variations in other languages as well. For instance, the French surnames Foyge, Foige, and Foigeau evolved from Folge. Furthermore, it is suggested that in some cases, the name may have evolved into the surname 'Fogel' in Jewish culture.
Famous people with the name Folge
- Ada Lovelace Folge, a Swedish professional golfer
- Anna Folge, a German Olympic equestrian
- Bonnie Folge, an American actress
- Devon Folge, an American soccer player
- Gary Folge, an American Olympic alpine skier
- Harry R. Folge, an American airforce lieutenant
- Helmut Folge, a German Olympic speed skater
- Jan Folge, a German chess master
- John Folge, an American professional hockey player
- Joseph Folge, an American professional baseball player
- Katharine Folge, an American ballet choreographer
- Lawrence Folge, an Australian Olympic sailor
- Ray Folge, an American conductor and composer
- Roy A. Folge, an American politician
- Samara Folge, an American singer and actress