Surname Auweiler - Meaning and Origin
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Auweiler: What does the surname Auweiler mean?
The last name Auweiler is of Germanic origin, most likely derived from the Middle High German word “ouwe” or “ouwelere”. In early medieval German, these terms could denote a person who kept horses, potentially a horse breeder, farrier, or stableman. It is probable that the first Auweilers were workers in charge of taking care of horses for their local lord or patron.
The name evolved into a regional surname but acquired several other alternative spellings, such as Aweller, Aweller, Oweller, Owiller, Awellor and Owehler. During the early modern period, the Auweiler surname spread all over Germany, mostly settling in Bremen, Bavaria, and Hesse.
The last name Auweiler still holds some of its early medieval significance today. Although the literal meaning of the name no longer holds, Auweilers are said to have the same quiet strength and patience as great equestrians, having a keen sense of responsibility and steadfastness that comes from looking after large, powerful animals. Moreover, it is said that Auweilers have a charisma and leadership that draws people to them, similar to how horses will instinctively follow a knowledgeable handler.
Order DNA origin analysisAuweiler: Where does the name Auweiler come from?
The last name Auweiler is most commonly found in the Rhineland region of Germany today. This region is located in the western part of the country, and is defined as the former French-German border. Amberg and Düsseldorf are among the largest cities in Rhineland, where people with this last name can still be found in high numbers.
Outside of Germany, Auweiler is present in many other countries across the world including Canada, Australia, the United States, and numerous European countries. This is largely due to the multiple German diasporas that have taken place throughout the 20th Century.
In the United States, there are forty-nine people listed as having the last name Auweiler. The most populated state being California with seven people. It is not clear how many of these individuals are descendants of a German-speaking ancestor.
The population of people with the surname Auweiler outside of Germany is much smaller, but still present. In Canada, there is one person with this name, and in Australia, there are five.
Overall, the last name Auweiler is more prominent in the Rhineland region of Germany than any other place in the world. This is largely due to its geographic location and large population of German-speaking individuals. However, it is also found in other countries to smaller degrees, and has been passed down to new generations of Auweilers all over the world.
Variations of the surname Auweiler
Auweiler is a German surname with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variation spellings are: Auweler, Oeweler, Oweler, Oeweiler, Oweler, Aueler, Oueler, Oulir, Oewer, Oweiler, Owele, Oueler, and Oeuler.
The surname Auweiler can frequently be found in southwestern Germany, specifically in the Rhine-Palatinate. It has its origin in the Middle High German word “weler” (valley). In other words, individuals with this surname originally lived in or around a valley. The spelling may be a variation of the more commonly found "Awiller" or "Ahwiller" surname which originates from the same geographical region.
There are several alternate spellings and surnames related to Auweiler. Öhler means “upper valley” with German origins and an ancestor of the Auweiler name. A classic example is Auhiller or Auhiller, which is a German dialectal variant of the Auweiler name. Other surnames of the same origin are Wolfle, Ohlmeier, Aueler, Ohlemann, and Ohs. Additionally, some variations of the surname are found in the Netherlands, such as Ovileer, Aovilliers, Auviler, Auvelaer, and Avellaer.
A few notable bearers of the name Auweiler, or a related spelling, include Wilhelm Friedrich Oweiler, the former director of the Royal Prussian Academy of Arts; and Louis William Oweiler, a noted explorer of the American West.
Famous people with the name Auweiler
- Johannes Auweiler: a German theologian and professor of faith and mission at the University of Münster.
- Eric Auweiler: American cinematographer and his work includes films such as Camp Slaughter and The Book of Life.
- Axel Auweiler: a German entrepreneur and the current chief executive of Kuehne + Nagel, a multinational logistics company.
- Markus Auweiler: a German professor at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Cologne.
- Volker Auweiler: a German business executive and the former president of the Munich Re international insurance group.
- Elke Auweiler: a German television presenter and the former face of Germany's main youth television show.
- Georg Auweiler: a German World War II Resistance Fighter and author of memoirs about his wartime experiences.
- Hermann Auweiler: a German industrialist and tycoon in the 19th century.
- Gerhard Auweiler: a German politician and member of the CDU political party representing North Rhine-Westphalia.
- Michael Auweiler: a German politician and the current mayor of the city of Marburg in Hesse.