Surname Wollenberger - Meaning and Origin

Wollenberger: What does the surname Wollenberger mean?

The last name Wollenberger is a German surname with origins in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Middle High German word "wollan", which means to "desire", as well as the word "berger", meaning "mountain". The literal translation of the surname is thus "desired mountain."

Historically, the name appears to be derived from a place-name derived in turn from Middle High German "wetten", which meant "hut". This would indicate that the original bearers of the surname were likely from a place called "Wettenberg".

Some theorise that this place-name could refer to the nearby Ebernbach Mountain, whose highest peak is known as the "Wettenberg". It is also possible that the original bearers were simply from a village or hamlet in the immediate area.

The name Wollenberger is most often found in Germany, but it is also present in the USA and other countries. It is likely that the original bearers of the name emigrated from their native region, either voluntarily or by force, as a result of religious or political turmoil.

Today, Wollenberger is a relatively rare name, but it is still in use by many families around the world who can claim descent from the original bearers of the surname.

Wollenberger: Where does the name Wollenberger come from?

The last name Wollenberger is quite common in certain areas of the United States. The most common region where the name might be found is in the northern, midwestern, and eastern states, especially those around New York and Pennsylvania. According to the U.S. Census in 2019, over 5,000 people had the last name Wollenberger.

In Pennsylvania particularly, there are several thousand people with the last name, and it is especially common in the counties of York, Adams, and Berks. West Virginia is also a prominent place where the last name Wollenberger is to be found. In 2019, over 400 people with the same last name were resident there.

Elsewhere in the United States, the last name is much less common, but there are generally still a few hundred individuals who have it. It can particularly be found amongst the Amish community who are known to have German origins, as well as in a few of the states in the south. Additionally, it is also common in some of the states near the Canadian border, such as Michigan and Indiana.

In short, while it is much more likely to find someone with the last name Wollenberger in certain regions, it is still not entirely uncommon across the whole of the United States.

Variations of the surname Wollenberger

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wollenberger include Wollenberg,Wollenbergers,Wollenbergen,Wöllenberg,Wöllenbergers,Wöllenbergen and Wöllenberger.

Wollenberger is a name related to wool and fabric and is derived from the Middle High German word “Wollingen,” meaning “made out of wool.” This was used to denote someone who worked in the wool industry, such as a weaver or spinner. It was a popular name in areas of Germany with a strong wool industry and is found most frequently in the states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, and Hesse.

The variant spellings of Wollenberger are common to the German language, many of which reflect the regional dialect of the area. In Bavarian, it is often spelled Wollenbergen, while in Lower German dialects it is often written as Wöllenberg. The addition of an “s” at the end denotes a patronymic, meaning “son of”. Hence, Wollenbergers would mean “son of Wollenberg”, and Wöllenbergers would mean “son of Wöllenberg”.

Today, Wollenberger is most commonly found in North America, particularly in the United States, where it is the 40,171st most common last name. Wollenberger is also quite popular in Germany, where it is the 1,553rd most common name.

Famous people with the name Wollenberger

• Franz Wollenberger: a professional ice hockey player and coach who spent most of his career playing in Germany.
• Kurt Wollenberger: a German scientist and professor of Organic Chemistry who was well-known for his works in Stereoselective Synthesis.
• Ernst Wollenberger: a German Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church who was elected as the Bishop of Limburg in the 1950s.
• Peter Wollenberger: a German-American painter and sculptor who is credited with creating several pieces of public art.
• Hank Wollenberger: a professional Minor League Baseball player who played in the USA during the 1950s.
• John Wollenberger: an American sculptor, painter and craftsman who was known for his metalwork sculpture.
• Robert Wollenberger: a German actor and filmmaker who headed the Munich film institute in the late 1980s.
• Anna Wollenberger: an Austrian politician who was a Member of Parliament from 1983-1986.
• Paul Wollenberger: a German World War I flying ace who was awarded with the Iron Cross for his service.
• Gustaf Wollenberger: a German sculptor and painter who was best known for his woodcut prints.

Other surnames

Wollenberg