Surname Dethlof - Meaning and Origin
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Dethlof: What does the surname Dethlof mean?
The last name Dethlof is of German origin and is a variant of the name Detlef. The name Detlef is composed of two Germanic elements - ‘diet’ which means people and ‘lef’ which means beloved. Combined, the name translates to mean “beloved of the people”.
Throughout its history, the spelling of the surname has undergone several transformations, sometimes due to errors in transcription or due to the evolution of the language. For instance, early versions of the name once included ‘Dethelof’ and ‘Detlewof’. The current spelling of ‘Dethlof’ is the most widespread variant among German-speaking populations.
The name is particularly common in the North German region and is believed to have originated in the 9th century. Since then, it has spread throughout the German-speaking world, and is particularly common in the United States and Canada.
Despite its commonality, the meaning of the name remains obscure, and most modern occurrences point to its meaning being derived from its ancient origins in the 9th century. It is likely that any modern derivations of the name’s meaning are merely guesses at its ancient intent.
Order DNA origin analysisDethlof: Where does the name Dethlof come from?
The last name Dethlof is most commonly found in Germany and Austria today. It is a localized name that likely stems from the German word “Dethloff,” which means “clearing of the forest” or “forest opening.” It is believed that the surname was derived from the name of a village or estate where a family had settled and which over time became associated with the family. The variations of the name that are most common today include Dethloff, Dettelof, and Dethlef.
Despite its Germanic roots, there are more people today who bear the surname who live in the United States than Germany. The majority of Americans with the name either came to the US from Germany or have German ancestry and are descendants of those who settled in the US in the 1800s.
In Germany and Austria, you will find people with the last name concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of Germany, including Berlin and Saxony. There is also a substantial population with the name in Austria, especially in the former Austrian region of Bohemia in the south of the country.
It is likely that the surname is becoming more rare as time goes by, due to the name’s localized nature, as well as changes in how families decide to keep their surname.
Variations of the surname Dethlof
The surname Dethlof is of German origin and can be spelled in a variety of ways. It can be written as Detloff, Detlhof, Dethloff, Dethlohf, and Detlohf. It is also occasionally seen spelled as Detloffe, Detlhoffe, Dethloffe, Dethlohffe, and Detlohffe. The surname Takloff is also derived from the same root as the name Dethlof, and is formed by changing the second letter of the first syllable to a T.
The name is quite rare in the United States, however, it has been suggested that the surname is derived from the Germanic male given name Detlef. The last name itself could also mean either "people of God" or a derivative of "the house of the leader". In parts of Germany, the name Dethlof and its variants are commonly found.
In addition to the origin from Detlef, the surname may have originated as a patronymic surname, derived from the personal name of the father or ancestor of the bearer of the surname. Patronymic surnames indicate the father's name was originally referenced as the means of identification. In this case, the origin would most likely have derived from the root word Detlof or Detlofe, which would indicate the father's name was Detloff or Detloffe.
The surname may have derived from other Germanic names, such as Ditmar, Dittmar or Dietrich, which sound similar. In certain regions, the surname may be derived from Dutch, Czech, Danish, or Swedish forms of the name. Altogether, these variants may point to a plethora of origins and possible spellings of the surname Dethlof.
Famous people with the name Dethlof
- Lars Dethloff: Owner and CEO of real estate developer, XCEL Corporation.
- Søren Dethloff: Danish actor who has a recurring role on the television drama series Borgen.
- Emily Dethloff: American fashion model who has been featured in Vogue, W Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and other fashion publications.
- William Dethloff: German-American film, television, and stage actor who is best known for his roles in Witchcraft and The Equalizer.
- Hans Dethloff: German-born actor and director who has appeared in numerous feature films, television programs, and stage productions in both Europe and the United States.
- Christopher Dethloff: English-born writer and musician who wrote novels, short stories, librettos, lyrics, and a musical, as well as numerous articles.
- Virginia Dethloff: American singer/songwriter who has released multiple EP's and singles.
- Freya Dethloff: British-Australian choreographer and dancer who is a former Principal Dancer with the Australian Ballet.
- Lotte Dethloff: German artist who is best known for her abstract paintings and limited edition sculptures.
- Andre Dethloff: American technology entrepreneur and investor who was one of the early pioneers in developing the modern-day internet.