An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Welf

by Friedrich Kluge

Welf, m., ‘whelp, cub,’ from the equiv. MidHG. and OHG. wëlf (earlier hwëlf, m. and n.); corresponding to OIc. hvelpr, AS. hwëlp (E. whelp). This Teut. word hwelpo-, which was used at an early period, espec. of ‘cubs,’ has no cognates in the non-Teut. languages. Wolf is not allied.