Surname Wirfler - Meaning and Origin
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Wirfler: What does the surname Wirfler mean?
Wirfler is a German name derived from the Old German word “welf,” meaning “one who lives off the land.” As such, it refers to someone who ekes out an existence by hunting and subsistence farming. The surname originated in Bavaria, Germany, probably as early as the late 13th century. The first known bearers of the name were Wirfler families living in the vicinity of Urach and Sindelfingen, in Bavaria’s Ostalb district.
The Wirfler surname was likely a status name. Such names indicated a particular place or a particular occupation in which the family specialized. In this case, it was likely linked to hunting and farm work, as evidenced by the word “welf”. The Wirfler family may have been particularly skilled at taking advantage of the forests and pastures in their area for hunting, fishing and/or farming.
Today, the Wirfler name still exists in Germany, although its prevalence is limited. It is also found in other countries, including countries with large German immigrant populations, such as the United States, Australia and South America. Regardless of the location, the Wirfler surname continues to be associated with industriousness, resourcefulness and an independent spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisWirfler: Where does the name Wirfler come from?
The last name Wirfler is most commonly found in Germany with locations in both the modern day and historical regions. It is also encountered in contemporary parts of Austria and Switzerland. Records indicate that the Wirfler family name has been around for centuries, dating back to medieval times.
In modern times, the last name can be found in locations scattered across Germany and Austria such as Hamburg, Bavaria, Mittelland, Sachsen-Anhalt, Berlin, Schleswig-Holstein, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Baden-Württemberg, and Hessen. It is also found in smaller numbers in other countries such as France, the United States, and Canada.
The surname Wirfler is thought to come from the Middle High German word “wirflein”, which means “a small turn or curl” and was used to refer to someone who lived in a place where there were many curves or turns. It is still unclear where exactly the name originated from but it is widely assumed to have come from an ancestor’s name.
Because Wirfler is a relatively uncommon name, it is quite possible that those who carry it may share the same ancestor. Despite this, many Wirflers across the world have for generations managed to connect and share their history with one another, through family reunions, social media, and other forms of communication.
Variations of the surname Wirfler
The surname Wirfler is a German family name believed to have derived from the Old High German words, 'wirbelen' meaning 'whirl'. It is also thought that the name could be derived from a diminutive of a personal (first) name such as Wirft or Wirfel. Variants of this name include Wirflein, Wirfelin, Wirflin, and Wirflen.
The surname may have been spelled differently depending on region and time period. Early spelling variants include Wirfflinger, Wurfflinger, Wirflinger, Wurflinger, Wirfling, Wirfelin, Wirflin, Wirflen, Wirflein, Wirfletten, Wirfletterer, Wirft, and Wirff.
The surnames Wirfel, Wirtschorke, and Wirtzer are thought to be related surnames of the same origin as Wirfler. This could mean they are alternate spellings of one another or even just different interpretations of the same surname.
The Wirfel surname is thought to originate from the German personal (first) name Wiraston, a derivation of the Old High German words, 'uir', meaning 'true' and 'stan', meaning 'stone'. Meanwhile, the Wirtschorke and Wirtzer surnames may be derived from the Middle High German word, 'wirschorken', meaning 'to twist' or 'to weave into a basket'.
The Wirfler surname can also be found in England, France, Denmark, Canada, and the United States. While the surname isn't widely present in these countries, it is still found among family trees in these countries.
Famous people with the name Wirfler
- Carl Wirfler (1865–1926), classical composer from Austria
- Bruce Wirfel (1930–2000), American sculptor and author
- Michael Wirfel (born 1945), German swimmer
- Robert Wirfs-Brock (born 1945), American computer scientist
- Eamonn Wirfel (born 1968), Irish hurler
- Niko Wirfel (born 1978), German ice hockey player
- Westley Wirfel (born 1981), American actor
- Matt Wirfel (born 1981), American basketball player
- Christian Wirfölzl (born 1984), Austrian footballer
- Paul Wirfel (born 1985), German footballer
- Soleil Wirfel (born 1998), American model and actress
- Charlotte Wirfel (born 2004), American equestrian