Surname Völlkel - Meaning and Origin
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Völlkel: What does the surname Völlkel mean?
The last name Völlkel has German origins and has been found in the Central and North Eastern regions of the country since Medieval times. The name is derived from the Old High German word "völlig" which translates to “entire,” “perfect,” or “thorough.” It is believed that the name was originally given to someone who was viewed as someone who was whole or complete in some sense.
Throughout the centuries, the surname has taken on a variety of spellings such as Vellkel, Volkel, Vollkam, Föllkel, and Völlke. It is thought to have also been used as a nickname for someone named “Volk” (which also means people or whole in Ancient German).
The name Völlkel is not very common and it is estimated that around 500 people in the world who bear this name today. Most of them probably have roots in Germany or countries where German is spoken.
In addition to its German origin, the surname Völlkel can also be found in some Jewish families. In Jewish families, the name is thought to have originally been given as a Christianized version of Volkmar or Volkenstein.
In essence, the last name Völlkel was likely given to someone who was considered to be “entire” or “whole” in some sense, and today it is widely used by both German and Jewish families.
Order DNA origin analysisVöllkel: Where does the name Völlkel come from?
The last name Völlkel is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in the southern and western parts of the country. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and within the broader German-speaking region.
The name is fairly rare in Germany, with fewer than 1,000 people having it today, according to a survey conducted by the Völlkel Society, an organization dedicated to researching and preserving the history of the name.
The origin of the name is thought to be associated with an old German word meaning "wolf," and it is common for people with the name to place a wolf-like symbol on family crests. Records as old as the mid-1400s exist in some areas, likely corresponding to the arrival of settlers bearing the name Völlkel. In the German census of 1871, the name was the 49th most common across all of Germany.
Though the name is not as commonly found in Germany as it once was, its legacy is still strong among those who still bear it today. Their shared roots and culture have united those with the name across centuries, and the traditions of their ancestors remain alive in the symbol of a wolf which still graces many family crests.
Variations of the surname Völlkel
The surname Völlkel can trace its origins back to a place called Völlklingen in West Germany. It is considered a toponymic surname, derived from the name of a place where a person or family once lived.
Variations of the surname Völlkel can include Völkel, Föllkel, Völlklinger, Völlklingen, Fölkel, Voelkel, Felkel, Voellkel, Fuöllkel, Voelkler, Volkels, Willkel, Villkel, Vellkel, Weillkel, Voelklin and Föllklingen.
There have been families of the lorded German nobility named Fölkel since the 12th and 13th centuries. It is believed that the original Völlkel family can trace their lineage back along this line.
The surname Völlkel is quite uncommon and can be found primarily in Germany and in German emigrant populations that inhabit countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries.
Some members of the Völlkel family may have adopted or been given surnames that have derivatives of Volk, Volke or Volken and its variants such as Volker, Vogel, Vögel, Vogt, Vogelsang, Voges and Voke etc. These variations may be adopted by succeeding generations or used in place of the original Völlkel surname.
As with all surnames, there may have been another person or family from a place other than Völlklingen who adopted the Völlkel surname at a later date. Therefore, it is not always possible to accurately trace the exact lineage and origin of the Völlkel surname.
Overall, the surname Völlkel is seldom seen, yet can trace its origin back to a specific place and is very unique in its own right.
Famous people with the name Völlkel
- Guido Völlkel: German ski mountaineer. He won several national and international championships in the 2000s.
- Patrik Völlkel: German football manager, actively working in the professional divisions of the Bundesliga and the 3rd division.
- Claudia Völlkel: Musical actress. She has had roles in several European stage productions and starred in a series of television movies.
- Kai Völlkel: Songwriter and keyboardist. He has co-written several chart-topping hits for German artists, including Kollegah and King Orgasmus.
- Elisabeth Völlkel: Former World Cup Alpine ski racer. She competed in several disciplines including slalom, giant slalom and super-G.
- Hans Völlkel: Dutch business executive and entrepreneur. He is the founder of the Nun Green Grocery chain and the innovative sustainability product company, Rethink Sustainability.
- Peter Völlkel: German footballer, who is active both as a player and a manager.
- Sven Völlkel: Former professional German volleyball player and current coach. He has had coaching stints in both Switzerland and the United States.
- Martina Völlkel: German actress, television presenter and producer. She has had several major roles on various German television series.
- Sebastian Völlkel: German mountain climber and explorer. He is best known for his expeditions to exotic places such as Tibet, the Caucasus and the Himalayas.