Surname Dettlev - Meaning and Origin
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Dettlev: What does the surname Dettlev mean?
The last name Dettlev originates from northern Germany, and has been documented as far back as the 1500s in the county of Prignitz. It is an occupational name derived from the German words "Dett" (Deed) and "Löwe" (Lion), which roughly translates to the English phrase "Lion of Deeds". The name likely derives from a time when families had a symbol or emblem of animals associated with their ancestral homes.
The Dettlev family were farmers who prized hard work and commitment to their craft. They were known for their willingness to persevere through difficult times, exemplifying courage and strength of character. Farming was their livelihood, and they sought to create a prosperous home for their families through their dedication and diligence.
In the early 1800s, some members of the Dettlev family moved away from their native Prignitz and settled in the province of Pomerania. Here, they maintained their commitment to farming, planting and harvesting crops to make a living for their families.
The surviving family members today continue to embody the hardworking ideals of their ancestors, and proudly carry their name with honour. The Dettlevs of the present are a testament to the determination and tenacity of those who came before them, whose loyal commitment to their craft amidst times of adversity allowed them to create a bright, stable future.
Order DNA origin analysisDettlev: Where does the name Dettlev come from?
The last name Dettlev is commonly found today in the German-speaking countries of Europe. It is a rarer surname, with few occurrences outside of regions where German is the primary language.
The Dettlev surname is thought to have originated in Germany or one of the countries with German-speaking populations, such as Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. In Germany, the name is found predominantly in the German states of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein, as well as in the former East German states of Berlin and Brandenburg.
In Austria, the name is most common in the Austrian states of Vienna and Lower Austria, where it is also found in smaller numbers in Upper and southern Austria. The same applies to Switzerland, with the highest concentrations in the German-speaking regions of Basel-Stadt and Zurich.
Although not as widely distributed, there are also records of the name being found in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. It is also possible that the Dettlev surname is found in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where emigrants from German-speaking parts of Europe have settled in the past centuries.
Variations of the surname Dettlev
The surname Dettlev can be spelled in numerous ways and has a variety of variants that come from different languages, backgrounds and countries. Variants of the surname Dettlev include Detlev, Dettli, Dettloff, Detloff, Detlef, Detlof, Detlaff, Detleff, Detleffs, Deitleff, and Dettälöf.
The surname Dettlev is of Germanic origin, and can be found mainly in northern and central Europe. It is derived from the name Theodulf (Old High German for ‘people’s wolf’), which became Thidlef and ultimately Dettlev.
Dettlev is most commonly found in Germany, Denmark and Finland. In Britain, the Dettlev variant of the surname is particularly common in Hertfordshire. There it takes the form Detliff or Detloff, often written as Dettloff in census and other official records.
The variants Detlev, Dettli and Dettloff are found mainly in Germany, while Detloff and Detlaff are mainly found in Denmark. Detlef, Detlof and the various spellings of Detleff are common in Finland. The surname has also spread to other parts of the world, especially America, where immigrants from Europe brought the surname with them as they settled in new lands.
Overall, Dettlev is a surname of Germanic origin, which exists in many forms and under different spellings in many countries across the world.
Famous people with the name Dettlev
- Paul Dettloff: American sculptor and painter
- Tommi Dettling: Swiss footballer
- Wilbur Dettling: American basketball player
- Wolf Dettling: German Olympic gold medalist
- Arnold Dettloff: German-Canadian ice hockey player
- Hugo Dettloff: Austrian-Jewish composer
- Rüdiger Dettling: Swiss journalist
- Heinrich Dettling: Swiss houses builder
- Otto Dettling: German personality of chess
- Gerhard Dettling: Swiss film actor