Show ContentsFolse History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Folse appears to be of patronymic origin, that is, a surname derived from the first name of the father or other ancestor of the eponymous bearer. It is based on the Germanic personal name Volz, which was very popular in former times, and simply means "son or descendant of Volz or Folz." Its etymology may be traced to the German word "volk," meaning "people," or "folk." Like many of the old Germanic personal names, its exact significance as a name is unclear; however, it was often used as an element in a compound name such as Vol(k)mar, or Vollbert.

Early Origins of the Folse family

The surname Folse was first found in the regions of the Rhineland-Palatinate and also further south to the area near Wurttemberg, where the ancestors of those bearing the name Folse contributed to the feudal society of the early Middle Ages. Early records of the surname are found in the city of Worms, where one Johann filius quandam Volzonis was a citizen in 1316 (Urkunden zur hessischen Landes, Orts, Familiengeschichte, II-601). A record of one Wernherus Voltzo can be found earlier still, in 1226 (Wurttembergisches Urkundenbuch, III-188).

Early History of the Folse family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Folse research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1620 is included under the topic Early Folse History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Folse Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Folz, Foltz, Volz, Voll, Volk, Volsch, Fols and many more.

Early Notables of the Folse family

More information is included under the topic Early Folse Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Folse Ranking

In the United States, the name Folse is the 3,900th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. [1]

Migration of the Folse family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Melchior Foltz, who arrived at the port of New York in 1709 with his wife Margaretha and their 3 children, Johan Volk, who arrived in New York in 1709 with his wife and child, Hans Jurg Volk, who went to Pennsylvania in 1755.


Contemporary Notables of the name Folse (post 1700) +

  • Louis H. Folse (1893-1973), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Louisiana State House of Representatives, 1928-40; Member of Louisiana State Senate 9th District, 1940-50 [2]


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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