Surname Wollbrandt - Meaning and Origin
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Wollbrandt: What does the surname Wollbrandt mean?
The last name Wollbrandt is a German name that derives from “waldbrand”, a word which means "forest fire" or “forest burn”. It is believed that the name was derived from the occupation of the people who originally bore the name. In the Middle Ages, this occupation was the setting of fires in order to clear lands for grazing cattle. These people were known as Wollbrandts or Waldbranders and were essential for developing the German lands.
Wollbrandts are still found in Germany today, although the name is no longer associated with setting forests on fire. The name is generally associated with a family of landowners or farmers from Saxony, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg.
The Wollbrand family in Germany can be traced back to before the 15th century and are of noble lineage with several branches established across Europe. There are also variations of the surname such as Wollbrandt, Wolbrette, Wolbein, Wagnerbrand, Willbrandt, Wollborn, Wolbeck and many more.
The name is still in use in the United States today and most families who bear this name are descended from Germans who migrated to the United States in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Wollbrandt name is associated with hardworking people who had the strength and courage to start new lives in a new land.
Order DNA origin analysisWollbrandt: Where does the name Wollbrandt come from?
The last name Wollbrandt is found mainly in German speaking countries today, particularly in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It is a relatively uncommon name, not appearing within the top 1000 family names in any country.
In Austria, it is found most commonly in the eastern part of the country near the German border, particularly in the states of Styria and Burgenland, where it is ranked as the 367th and 494th most common name respectively.
In Germany, it is found mostly in thestates of Bavaria and Saxony, where it is the 2434th and 3272nd most popular name.
Switzerland is also home to a significant number of Wollbrandts, particularly in the German-speaking cantons of St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, Thurgau, and Zurich, where it is the 3609th to 4261st most popular family name respectively.
In the Netherlands, meanwhile, the name is much rarer. It is the 5181st and 6136th most common name in the provinces of Zuid-Holland and Utrecht.
Due to its German roots, the Wollbrandt surname is not as common elsewhere in Europe and it is virtually unheard of outside of the continent. However, in recent years due to migration, Wollbrandts have settled in several English-speaking countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Variations of the surname Wollbrandt
The surname Wollbrandt has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including 'Woolbrandt,' 'Woolbrand,' 'Walbrandt,' 'Vollbrandt,' 'Woolbrant,' 'Wolbrand,' 'Wolbrant,' and 'Wolbrecht.' It is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word 'wolbrand,' which roughly translates to 'the keeper or manager of wool.' It was most likely used to describe an individual who was responsible for all aspects of the wool trade, including the raising of sheep, spinning, and weaving.
One variant of Wollbrandt is 'Woolbrandt.' This spelling is probably the most common, and is reminiscent of the origins of the surname, 'wolbrand.' It is most likely derived from the Anglo-Saxon 'wealbrand' which means 'a real or valuable keeper of wool.' This variant is commonly found in the United States, especially in the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Another variant of Wollbrandt is 'Walbrandt.' This spelling is less common, but can still be found in some parts of the United States and Europe. It is most likely derived from the Middle Dutch 'walbranden,' which translates to mean 'a fireman or someone who makes firewood.' This version of the name is popular in the German states of Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria.
The other variants of the surname include 'Vollbrandt,' 'Woolbrant,' 'Wolbrand,' 'Wolbrant,' and 'Wolbrecht.' These were all derived from the original 'wolbrand' and are quite common in some parts of Germany. 'Wolbrecht,' for example, comes from the Middle High German 'wolbrechten,' which translates to 'to be a manager of wool.' These are also popular surnames in Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
Overall, the surname Wollbrandt has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. A few of the more popular variants include 'Woolbrandt,' 'Walbrandt,' 'Vollbrandt.', 'Woolbrant,' 'Wolbrand,' 'Wolbrant,' and 'Wolbrecht.' All of these names are derived from the original 'wolbrand' and all are quite popular in some parts of Europe and the United States.
Famous people with the name Wollbrandt
- Maria Wollbrandt de Johnson: former director of the Euro-American Women’s Council and America-Mexico-Europe Foundation.
- Johannes Wollbrandt: German pastor and hymn writer.
- W. Richard Wollbrandt: founder of the W. Richard Wollbrandt Memorial Foundation.
- Paul Wollbrandt: designer and web developer.
- Bill Wollbrandt: commercial real estate broker.
- Harry Wollbrandt: former Secretary of the National Rifle Association.
- Robert Wollbrandt: German artist and sculptor.
- Max Wollbrandt: German physicist and professor at the University of Basel.
- Barbara Wollbrandt: German television and film actress.
- Ylva Wollbrandt: award-winning Swedish scientist, author, and public health researcher.
- Greta Wollbrandt: Austrian pianist and composer.
- Erik Wollbrandt: Swedish orchestral conductor.
- Lydia Wollbrandt: German scholar, writer, and translator.
- Helmut Wollbrandt: German journalist and political activist.
- Jörg Wollbrandt: German sculptor and painter.
- Hans Wollbrandt: Swedish philologist and professor.
- Harry Wollbrandt: former president of the Bank of International Settlements.
- Birgit Wollbrandt: German costume designer and fashion designer.
- Eva Wollbrandt: German actress and television host.
- Erik Wollbrandt: Swedish businessman and philanthropist.