Woolfe (surname)

Woolfe is an English surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is a variant of the surname "Wolfe" or "Wolf," which itself derives from the Old English word "wulf," meaning "wolf."

The surname can be either topographic or a nickname. As a topographic name, it would denote someone who lived near a place frequented by wolves or in a place named after a wolf. As a nickname, it may have been given to someone thought to resemble a wolf in some way, either in terms of their physical appearance or their characteristics (e.g., cunning, ferocity).

The spelling "Woolfe" is less common than "Wolfe," but is a recognized variant. Notable people with the surname "Woolfe" are relatively rare, with instances typically being related to those with the more common "Wolfe" spelling. The difference in spelling is often attributed to regional variations and scribal practices over time.