Surname Feuerlein - Meaning and Origin

Feuerlein: What does the surname Feuerlein mean?

The last name Feuerlein is generally believed to be of German and Austrian origins. It roughly translates to “little fire” or “fire flame,” originating from the German word “feuer,” meaning fire. It is thought to have first been used as an occupational surname by those whose job or skill involved working with fire in some capacity, such as a blacksmith or a furnace worker.

Given that the surname is German, it is likely that it originated in Germany or Austria, and then spread to other European countries throughout the centuries, likely with those who emigrated elsewhere. Examples of this include Germany’s former provinces of Silesia, which is now part of Poland, and the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, which covered parts of Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Italy.

Overall, the surname Feuerlein is thought to refer to someone who worked with fire. This could have been anything from a blacksmith to a furnace worker. The name has a long history, with records of the surname as far back as the 1500s in Austria and Germany. It has likely spread with those who emigrated to other parts of Europe as well.

Feuerlein: Where does the name Feuerlein come from?

Feuerlein is a German and Austrian surname common today primarily in the countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is one of many common German surnames which can be found in certain areas. Feuerlein is derived from the German word for ‘small fire’ and is derived from an old German personal name. This suggests the original bearer likely made a living by foraging for wood and other combustibles while their surname became adopted as an identifier.

Feuerlein is a fairly rare name in the United States however it is found across parts of the midwest, particularly in the states of North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. This suggests the original bearers of the name may have emigrated to the country in the 19th century, during the period of mass German immigration into the region. Census records from the same period suggest further emigrants from Austria and Switzerland settled across parts of the country at the same time, bringing the surname with them.

Today Feuerlein is primarily found in the three countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland but can still be found in the United States in certain Midwestern states.

Variations of the surname Feuerlein

Feuerlein is a German surname. Variations and different spellings include Feurlein, Feurle, Feuerle, Foerlein, Feyerle, Feyerlein, Feyerlen, and Feurlen. It can also appear with double "e"s between the letters "ur", such as Feuerleine or Feurelein as well as double "l"s, as in Foerleinn or Foerleinne.

The surname appears to be derived from the German term for fire, which is Feuer. It likely began as a nick-name for someone with a fiery temper, or someone who made their living through a profession linked to fire (such as an overseer of a blacksmith business).

Variants of the surname Feuerlein are found around the world. In the United States, people with Feuerlein ancestry have settled mainly in places with strong German populations, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio or Indiana. The surname is also common in Austria, Switzerland, and other parts of Germany.

The surname Feuerlein has been Anglicized in many cases to the variation "Firely". Other surnames of the same origin include Fehl, Fehls, Erl, Erley, Erlich, Feller, Fensle, and Ferling.

Famous people with the name Feuerlein

• Shania Feuerlein, Model and Instagram Influencer from Germany
• Alex Feuerlein, German Professional Badminton Player
• Vanessa Feuerlein, German Paralympic Track and Field Athlete
• Sebastien Feuerlein, Austrian Photographer and Digital Artist
• Nico Feuerlein, German Fifteen-time National Champion Gymnast
• Jessie Feuerlein, Americana Singer-Songwriter
• Friedrich Feuerlein, German Painter from the 1830s
• James Feuerlein, American College Football Quarterback for the University of Utah
• Kirsten Feuerlein, Austrian Academy Award Nominated Film and Theater Director
• Eric Feuerlein, American Entrepreneur and Real Estate Investor
• Robert Feuerlein, German Olympic Weightlifter and Sawmill Worker
• Matala Feuerlein, Finnish Folk Musician and Singer-Songwriter
• Jacob Feuerlein, Amateur Artist and Luthier from the 18th Century
• José Feuerlein, Argentinian Film Director
• Ryan Feuerlein, American Professional Basketball Coach

Other surnames

Feuerle