Surname Wolfarth - Meaning and Origin

Wolfarth: What does the surname Wolfarth mean?

The last name Wolfarth originates from the German, and is thought to have originated as an occupational name for someone who was a shepherd. Within the German language, the word ‘wolle’ means to take care of sheep, while ‘arth’ is an old German term meaning ‘master’ or ‘head of’. Together, the name translates to mean ‘shepherd master’; thus signifying someone who was in charge of and the primary caretaker of a flock of sheep.

The surname ‘Wolfarth’ is still commonly found in Germany today, and is also likely to be found in countries that are made up of German immigrants and descendants, such as the United States and other areas of Western Europe. It might also be found in areas of Eastern Europe due to the German migrations to many of those regions beginning in the 1600’s and 1700’s.

Throughout the years, the last name Wolfarth has been subject to many different spellings, such as Wolfard or Walfard. A variation of the spelling is still likely to exist today, depending on the area in which the name is found. In many cases, the original spelling has also been changed as people moved from one area to another; this alteration being driven by an individual’s lack of familiarity with the original spelling or by the region’s predominant language.

Wolfarth: Where does the name Wolfarth come from?

The last name Wolfarth is commonly found in areas of Europe with German heritage. It is especially popular in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking countries. There is also a notable presence of the last name in the United Kingdom and the United States.

In Germany, Wolfarth is the 32nd most common last name. Its popularity across German-speaking countries reflects the name's Germanic root. The original spelling was Wolfhart, composed of two distinct words: wolf and hart, which mean "wolf" and "hardy," respectively. This indicates that the original bearer of the name was brave and determined.

In the United Kingdom and United States, the last name Wolfarth is often Anglicized as Wolfard. Research indicates that Wolfard may have been one of the original last names brought over to America by Europeans. Wolfard is most commonly found in the state of Pennsylvania.

Although there are still people who carry the Wolfarth name in these countries, it is unclear whether the name has maintained its popularity throughout the years. Recent research suggests variations of the name, such as Wolfe and Wolfalot, are more common in the English-speaking world.

Overall, the name Wolfarth is most common in the German-speaking world, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In the United Kingdom and the United States, the name is often Anglicized to Wolfard. Variations of the name, such as Wolfe and Wolfalot, have known to be used in the English-speaking world as well.

Variations of the surname Wolfarth

The surname Wolfarth is a Germanic patronymic surname, derived from the given name Wolfgang, meaning ‘wolf of courage.’ It is believed to have originated in Bavaria, in the German-speaking region of Europe. There are a few different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Wolfarth.

The most popular variant of the surname is Wolfhard, which consists of two Germanic elements, ‘wolf’ and ‘hard’, meaning brave or strong. This variant originated in the southern German region of Bavaria.

Another variant is Wolffarth, consisting of separate elements ‘wolf’ and ‘harth,’ meaning ‘strong or brave.’ This is only slightly different than Wolfhard, but is still considered to be of the same origin.

The spelling Wolfarth is also popular, with a silent ‘h’ found in the middle of the surname, likely derived from a Bavarian orthography.

Other derivatives of this surname include Wolforth, Wolfrath, Wolfersdorf, Wolfer, and Wolferstorff. All of these are derived from the same origin and could be interchangeable with Wolfarth.

The surname has traveled to other countries such as the United States and Australia as immigrants brought the surname with them as they traveled. In the US, the surname is mostly found in the north central region of the country, where states like Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin have the highest concentration of this surname.

Overall, Wolfarth is a unique surname that has seen several evolutions over the centuries. From Braunau to Wolforth, Wolfersdorf to Wolferstorff, this surname has certainly evolved and now has a unique place in history.

Famous people with the name Wolfarth

• Mark Wolfarth — German artist, described by curators and fans as the “Father of Urban Pop Art”.
• Jacob Wolfarth — German-American master printer of the 19th century.
• William “Will” Wolfarth — American producer and actor known for directing the short film I’m Just an Ordinary Person.
• Theresa Wolfarth — German artist and author of the book The Art of Seeing.
• Andreas Wolfarth — German actor known for his roles in the soap opera GZSZ and the comedy film Visit the Zoo.
• Julia Wolfarth — German singer and songwriter whose music has been featured in a number of films and television shows.
• Herbert C. Wolfarth — German-American author known for his non-fiction works on American history.
• Janina Wolfarth — German actress best known for her role in the German crime drama Tatort.
• Marianne Wolfarth — German author known for her fiction works on topics such as family life and relationships.
• Arthur Wolfarth — German-American composer and conductor known for composing the first opera in the American colonies.

Other surnames

WolfardWolfart