Find out how popular the last name Wolfer is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Wolfer.

Wolfer, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Wolfer surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wolfer in America

Wolfer is the 19441st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wolfer surname appeared 1,390 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Wolfer.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wolfer to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Wolfer

The surname Wolfer has its origins in the German-speaking regions of Europe, notably from the medieval period. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "wolf," meaning wolf, combined with the suffix "-er," which typically denotes an agent or someone associated with a particular activity or place. Therefore, the name Wolfer can be interpreted to mean "one who is like a wolf" or "wolf-like," and could have been used as a nickname for someone who exhibited characteristics associated with wolves, such as bravery, fierceness, or cunning.

Wolfer is found in historical records dating back to the 13th century in Germany. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in documents from the region of Baden-Württemberg, around the year 1250. The name during this time would have been written in various old spellings, such as Wolfher, Wolffer, or Wolpher, reflecting the phonetic variations of the region.

In the year 1280, a Hans Wolfer is listed as a landowner in the Swabian region. The name continued to appear in various legal and property documents throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, indicating that bearers of this surname were often people of some standing in their communities. Another notable example from the 1430s is Konrad Wolfer, a member of a local council in Nuremberg, showcasing the name's association with civic responsibilities.

During the 16th century, the surname had spread beyond Germany's borders. Johann Wolfer, born in 1527, was a notable figure in the Hungarian military and served as a commander during the Ottoman-Hungarian wars. His bravery in battle was well-documented in multiple chronicles of that time.

Another distinguished individual with the surname is Georg Wolfer, a 17th-century artist born in 1642 in Zurich, Switzerland. His intricate wood carvings and sculptures gained recognition across Europe, contributing significantly to Swiss art heritage. His works are preserved in several European museums.

The surname also appears in literary records. In 1721, Heinrich Wolfer, an influential writer from Vienna, published a series of philosophical essays that garnered attention in intellectual circles of the time. His writings on enlightenment and ethics were highly regarded and translated into several languages.

Finally, an important figure in economic history is Ludwig Wolfer, born in 1799 in Frankfurt. He was a prominent banker and financier who played a key role in the establishment of several financial institutions in the early 19th century. His contributions to banking practices in Germany left a lasting legacy on the financial systems of the region.

Throughout history, the surname Wolfer has been associated with a variety of fields, from military and civic leadership to artistic and intellectual pursuits. The name's etymology and historical references reflect its bearers' diverse roles and contributions across different regions and centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wolfer

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Wolfer.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wolfer was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Wolfer has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Wolfer was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Wolfer, please contact us.

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