Surname Wörfel - Meaning and Origin
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Wörfel: What does the surname Wörfel mean?
The last name Wörfel is a German surname which has several different meanings depending on the geographical region where it is used. In its most literal translation, it can be rendered as "wheel", due to the circular shape of the German letter "o". Thus, it can be interpreted as a metaphor for movement and navigation.
In Switzerland and Germany, the name is said to be of locative origin, meaning that it was likely adopted as a reference to the place of origin of the person bearing the name. For example, a person called Wörfel may have originated from a place in which wheel-making was prevalent.
In terms of its heritage, the Wörfel name is most likely a Slavic (from countries such as Russia and Belarus) name. This is largely due to the fact that it is derived from the words "vverfil", which roughly translates to "wheel" in Old Slavic.
The Wörfel name has also been used in other countries to mean something different. For instance, in Austrian German, it is said to mean "to shoot an arrow" or "throw a dart". Thus, it could be interpreted metaphorically as a description of ambition and initiative, wherein one has "aimed high" in life.
Regardless of its geographical context, the Wörfel name generally carries positive connotations. It is a name that symbolizes staying power, movement, and ambition. It is a reminder to keep moving and always strive for bigger and better outcomes in life.
Order DNA origin analysisWörfel: Where does the name Wörfel come from?
The last name Wörfel is most common in Germany today. German census records indicate that it is one of the most common surnames in certain areas of the country. Research conducted by the Volksforschung Group (VGF) shows that Wörfel is among the top 25 surnames in the southwestern German states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also found among the top 100 surnames in Saxony-Anhalt and the eastern German state of Thuringia.
The origin of this surname is uncertain, but it may be derived from a German given name, possibly Wörfel, the Low German form of the personal name Warfrid. The meaning is "peace-strength," derived from the Germanic elements wer ‘protection, guard’ and frid ‘peace’.
In addition to being found in Germany, Wörfel is also common in the German-speaking countries of Austria and Switzerland. In Austria, records show that it is one of the top 100 surnames in the states of Burgenland and Styria, and in Switzerland, it is one of the top 150 surnames in the canton of Zürich.
Outside of German-speaking Europe, there are also people with the surname Wörfel in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. These people are most likely descended from German immigrants who arrived in these countries in the 1800s and early 1900s.
Variations of the surname Wörfel
The surname Wörfel is derived from the German word "würfel", which means "cube" or "die" in English. The variants for this surname are Worfel, Woerfel, Wurfel, Woerfling, Wurfling, Wurflin and Wurflung. It is also possible to find surnames which are simply spelled differently but sound the same when pronounced, such as Warfelt, Warfel, Warfell, Warffel, Werfelt, Worfle and Worffel.
The surname can also be found in its original spelling as Würfel and Würfling. The spellings with an umlaut "ü" are often seen in Germany, Austria and other German-speaking countries.
The different spellings of the surname can be mixed or swapped around to form alternative spellings and surnames, such as Wörffel, Wörfling, Wurffling, Werfle, Worflyng, Werflung and Wörflynn.
Surnames derived from the same origin as Wörfel can also be found, including two-part surnames such as Wörflein and Wurflein, as well as unusual forms such as Wurfelstein and Woerflingen.
Finally, variants of the surname may be found as Wörfle, Woerfler, Wurfler, Werfling and Wurfling, which all originate from the same source as the original surname Wörfel.
Famous people with the name Wörfel
- Franz Wörfel (1859-1929) German baritone opera singer and actor
- Bob Wörfel (1922-2011) American professional basketball player
- Brunhilde Wörfel (1899-1984) German film actress
- Franz Wörfel (1886-1983), Austrian football player
- Peter Wörfel (1902-1973), Slovakian bishop
- Max Wörfel (1898-1973) German aerospace engineer
- Fritz Wörfel (1899-1959) German film director
- Beate Wörfel (1937-2008), German actress
- Dagmar Wörfel (1926-2003) German cinematographer
- Andre Wörfel (born 1976) German figure skater