Surname Völl - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Unveiling the Völl Legacy: A Personal Reconnection with Ancestry through the iGENEA DNA Test
The recent decision to take the iGENEA DNA test gave me an opportunity to uncover my lineage and the true origins of the Völl surname. The discovery of German connections, revealed through this test, has reshaped my views on my family's identity and spurred a newfound respect for the diversity and resilience that underpins our ancestry.
J. Völl
read moreVöll: What does the surname Völl mean?
The last name Völl is German in origin and may have several different meanings and variants. It is believed to be derived from either the German word Voell meaning “a former participle of the Old German word for ‘to cut’”, or from the surname Volle, which is most likely a diminutive of the personal name Volkin, a contraction of Folkin, meaning “people” or “folk”. Additionally, the surname Völl could also signify “free” or “liberated”, perhaps referring to a once-free landowner or master blacksmith, or to someone who is free-spirited or a nonconformist.
The German language is known for its complexity and ability to incorporate multiple word sounds, meanings and origins into a single surname. As such, without a clear origin or documented family history, it can be difficult to accurately trace the last name Völl. However, the many possible sources and meanings suggest that the name likely carries a unique and interesting history, and could be an interesting area of research for those who are curious to explore it further.
Order DNA origin analysisVöll: Where does the name Völl come from?
The surname Völl is most commonly found in Austria and Germany today. In Austria, it is one of the thirty most common surnames. There are also a few families by the name of Völl living in Switzerland, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
The origin of the name is from the German word "völlig," which means "completely." It is likely that the name was either adopted in the Middle Ages or taken as a surname during the high mobility of the population that occurred during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Völl family is known to have a long history in Odenwald, a region in the German state of Hessen. The oldest known ancestor of the Völl family is Johannes Völl, who was born in 1690. He worked as a miller and was first married to Maria Catharina Neuberth.
The Völl family traditionally included tradespeople, farmers, millers, and experienced tradespeople. Early Völl married into wealthy families such as the Scheidler family in Höpfingen and the Huber family in Katzelshagen.
Today, the most famous person with the Völl name is Theodor Völl, a German Olympic champion and country-man. He is best known for winning the 800m and 1500m at the 1896 Athens Summer Olympics. He is also remembered for competing in the first-ever Marathon in the Olympic Games that same year. In 1895, Theodor Völl also founded a rowing club SC Volt which is today known as SC Magdeburg.
Overall, the surname Völl is most commonly found in Austria and Germany, with a few families in Switzerland, Poland, and the Czech Republic. It is likely that the origin of the name derived from the German word for "completely." It is also believed that the earliest Völl ancestor was Johannes Völl who was born in 1690. Today, the most famous bearer of the name is Theodor Völl - a German Olympic champion and country-man.
Variations of the surname Völl
Völl is an uncommon German surname. It can have several variant spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Variants of the surname Völl include Vell, Vöhl, Voel, Foell, Foelll, Voell, Völle and Voel.
The surname Völl is derived from the Middle High German "völle," which was a nickname meaning "unprejudiced." It was likely used to describe someone who was objective or impartial.
The name Völl is also said to be derived from the German “völlen,” which means “desire.” This could have been used by someone wishing for something or someone particularly earnestly.
Also, the name Völl may have come from “völlig,” meaning “complete.” This could refer to a life that was fully or completely done.
The Völl surname is also related to the appearance of the surname Völker, originating from Middle High German "volker", meaning “people.” This could be the name of a tradesman or craftsman.
In various dialects within the German language, a variety of surnames derived from the name Völl exist. In the Austrian-Bavarian dialect, it will take on the form of Foell, Weissfels, Voellner, Voelz and Ueberhofer. In the Low German dialect, the surname can be seen as Volkenwinkel, Foetking and Foetling.
Overall, the surname Völl is a rare German name that has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. It can have several meanings, as the root word can take on different forms.
Famous people with the name Völl
- Maximilian Völl: Maximilian Völl is a German volleyball player who currently plays for the Berlin Volleys in the German Volleyball League (DVV).
- Robert Völl: Robert Völl is a German cross-country skier who competed in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, where he placed 91st in the men's individual event.
- Thomas Völl: Thomas Völl is a former German professional tennis player, having achieved a career-high singles ranking of 134 in 1999.
- Armin Völl: Armin Völl is a German golfer and former European Tour player, known for being the first German golfer to win a Tour event in 1988.
- Hermann Völl: Hermann Völl is a former German handball player and coach who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where he won a bronze medal with the German team.
- Max Völl: Max Völl is a former German rugby union player, having played for the Germany national team in the 2002 and 2003 Rugby World Cups and captaining the team in the 2003 tournament.
- Matthias Völl: Matthias Völl is a former German field hockey player and Olympic gold medalist, having competed in the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics.
- Wilma Völl: Wilma Völl is a German musician, composer, and conductor who has released several solo albums since her debut in 1994.
- Stefan Völl: Stefan Völl is a German author and poet who has published numerous books on subjects such as philosophy, psychology, and literature.
- Christoph Völl: Christoph Völl is a German painter, graphic artist, and sculptor whose works have been exhibited in various galleries and collections throughout Europe.