The surname Vollrath has German origins. It is a compound name derived from "Volf" (wolf) and "Rat" (counsel), meaning "Counselor Wolf". This name was often given to individuals who were considered wise or shrewd, much like the characteristics of a wolf. The name Vollrath can also be found in Dutch and Scandinavian regions due to historical migrations and colonization.
The surname Vollrath is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "Vollrat," which translates to 'full-counsel' or 'wise counselor.' It is composed of two elements: 'voll,' meaning full, and 'rat,' meaning counsel or advice. This surname would have been given to a wise or prudent person who was respected for his counsel within their community. The name Vollrath first appeared in records from the medieval era, primarily in regions such as Bavaria, Swabia, and Westphalia. It is one of many Germanic surnames that were initially occupational or descriptive in nature, serving to identify individuals by their professions, personal characteristics, or places of origin. Over time, these surnames have been passed down through generations, continuing to be a common name within the German-speaking world and its diaspora.
The last name Vollrath is predominantly found in Central and Northern Europe, particularly in Germany and neighboring countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Poland. A significant number of individuals with this surname reside in the states of Thuringia, Bavaria, Saxony-Anhalt, and North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. The name is also present in smaller numbers in other parts of Europe, including Scandinavia, France, and the United Kingdom. Beyond Europe, some individuals with the Vollrath surname can be found in North America, particularly in the United States, where it is concentrated in areas with a high German-American population, such as Texas, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. The distribution of this surname reflects historical migration patterns from Europe to other parts of the world, primarily during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The surname Vollrath possesses multiple variants and spellings due to phonetic and regional differences over time. Some common variations include Vollarth, Volrath, and Wollrath, which stem from slight alterations in pronunciation or spelling conventions within different regions or families. Other possible spellings might be Volrathe, Wolrath, Volraad, Vohlrath, Wohlrath, and Vhollrath, among others, reflecting the diverse ways this surname has been recorded historically. The origins of the name are Germanic, derived from the elements "wolf" (meaning wolf) and "rad" (counsel or advice), symbolizing a wise and powerful figure in ancient times.
Prominent individuals sharing the surname Vollrath include:
1. David Vollrath - A British marine biologist and Professor of Zoology at the University of Oxford, known for his research on fish behavior and evolution.
2. Michael Vollrath - An American artist whose works encompass painting, drawing, and printmaking. His art explores themes of mythology, history, and personal narrative.
3. Lothar Vollrath - A German mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of differential geometry. He is best known for his work on the study of surfaces and their curvatures.
4. Dagmar Vollrath - A British scientist specializing in virology, particularly focusing on the replication of viruses and developing antiviral drugs. She has worked extensively with HIV and influenza viruses.
5. Martin J. Vollrath - A German biophysicist who was one of the pioneers in the development of optical tweezers, a technique used to manipulate and study biological molecules at the nanoscale level.
The surname Vollrath has German origins and is derived from the Middle High German words 'vol' meaning 'strong' or 'powerful' and 'rat' meaning 'counsel.' The first recorded instance of the name dates back to the 13th century in regions such as Thuringia and Saxony. Throughout history, several notable figures bearing the Vollrath surname have emerged, including Georg Vollrath (1549-1616), a German astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of cartography. Additionally, Andreas Vollrath (1810-1872), a prominent architect from Germany, is renowned for his work on Gothic Revival architecture. Today, the Vollrath surname is prevalent not only in Germany but also in countries where German immigrants settled, such as the United States and Canada. Genealogical research can be traced through various online platforms and archives, offering a wealth of information to those seeking to delve deeper into their family history with the Vollrath name.
Chargement de la carte...
Enter the surname you are looking for below:
surnames > voladri
The last name "Voladri" is of Italian origin. It is believed to be derived from the word "volare," which means "to fly" in Italian.
surnames > volante
The last name Volante is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "volante," which means "flying" or "swift." It may have originally been used as a nickname for someo...
surnames > volapu
The surname "Volapu" has an Italian origin. It is derived from the Latin word "volare," meaning "to fly." It likely originated as a nickname for someone who was a fast runner or ha...
surnames > volare
The surname "Volare" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Italian word "volare," meaning "to fly." This surname may have originated as a nickname for someone who was known ...
surnames > volcke
The surname Volcke is of Dutch origin. It is derived from the personal name Volker, which means "people's guard" or "guardian of the people." The surname Volcke likely originated a...
surnames > volcov
The surname Volcov is of Russian origin. It is derived from the personal name Volodimir, which means "ruler of the world" in Old Russian. This name was commonly used in the medieva...
surnames > volcy
The last name "Volcy" is believed to have Haitian origins. It is derived from the French name "Voltaire," which is a common surname in Haiti due to the influence of French coloniza...
surnames > volfin
The last name "Volfin" is of Jewish Ashkenazic origin. It is derived from the Yiddish word for "wolf," which is "volf" or "volfin." The name likely originated as a nickname for som...
surnames > volga
The last name "Volga" is of Russian origin. It is a toponymic surname derived from the River Volga, the longest river in Europe. It is likely that individuals with this surname hav...
surnames > volkmer
The surname "Volkmer" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'volc' meaning 'people' and 'meri' meaning 'merchant'. In its original form, it was used t...
surnames > volla
The last name Volla is of Italian origin. It is derived from the word "volla," which means "shovel" or "spade" in Italian. This last name may have originated as an occupational sur...
surnames > vollanky
The surname Vollanky is of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German personal name "Fulco," meaning "people" or "folk," and the suffix "-ing," indicating descent or ass...
surnames > volli
The last name "Volli" is of Finnish origin, deriving from the word "virta," which means "stream" or "river." It is a common surname in Finland and is often found in individuals wit...
surnames > volo
The surname Volo is of Italian origin. It is derived from a place name or a topographic name for someone who lived near a volley or clearing in the forest, or it could be an occupa...
surnames > volodarska
The last name Volodarska is of Polish origin. It is derived from the word "Volodar," which means "ruler" or "master" in Polish. The suffix "-ska" added to the end of the name sugge...