Surname Handler - Meaning and Origin

A Journey into Heritage: Discovering the Handler Identity through iGENEA DNA Testing

As a Handler, I took the iGENEA DNA test with the goal of understanding better the significance of my surname in my personal identity. The results have offered fresh insights that have deepened my sense of belonging. My understanding of what identifies me as a Handler has broadened, provoking me to explore and appreciate my heritage in new ways.

V. Handler

Handler: What does the surname Handler mean?

The surname Handler is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin and is occupational in nature. It was typically given to individuals who made or sold handles for tools or utensils. The name could also possibly refer to someone in charge of animals i.e., a handler. It is derived from the Middle High German word "handelære", which means trader or merchant, emphasizing the professional aspect of the name. Like many other surnames, the passing down of this name was likely associated with the job or trade that a person or their family was known for in their community. Thus, the last name Handler provides a historical glimpse into the employment or role of the family or individual in society. So, the surname Handler is a strong example of how surnames often reflect the professional or social status of individuals when they were first initiated.

Handler: Where does the name Handler come from?

The surname Handler is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "handelāre," meaning a trader or a merchant. Therefore, the surname originally referred to someone who was a trader or someone involved in trading goods. It was largely given to those who had such an occupation and may have been used to specify a trader dealing with particular types of goods.

Today, the surname Handler is quite common in various parts of the world due to migration and the spread of cultures. In Germany, it is still relatively common due to its origin. In the United States, it's also prevalent due, in part, to German immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It's also familiar because of notable individuals with the surname, such as the American comedian, actress, and writer Chelsea Handler. Nevertheless, the distribution of the surname may vary within different regions of these countries.

Variations of the surname Handler

The surname Handler originated from Germany and Austria, primarily used as an occupational name for a potter or a handler of pots. The name is derived from the Middle High German term "hantlære," meaning a potter.

Variations of this surname include Handl, Handlir, Haendler, Haandler, Handeler, Handeler, Handeler, Handlare, and Handlär. These variations particularly emerged as surname spelling was often not standardized until the recent centuries, and names were often recorded as they sounded to scribes and clerks.

Apart from these, different spellings of the surname could also be found in different regions and countries due to phonetic translations and Anglicization, such as Haendler in English-speaking countries, Handlar in Scandinavian countries, and Handleur in French-speaking countries.

Some families with the surname Handler might have also changed their surnames over time due to migration, cultural assimilation or other reasons such as Hoffmann to Handler due to the profession of the first person in the family who bore the surname. Thus, it's possible that the surname Handler could be connected to other surnames of same or similar occupations. However, the connections would need to be confirmed by genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Handler

• Daniel Handler: An American writer and musician, best known for his children’s series "A Series of Unfortunate Events" under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket.
• Evan Handler: An American actor known for playing Charlie Runkle in the TV series "Californication" and Harry Goldenblatt in "Sex and the City".
• Chelsea Handler: An American comedian, actress, writer, television host, and producer. She hosted the talk show "Chelsea Lately".
• Melissa Handler: An American creative director and photographer based in New York City.
• Barbara Handler: Daughter of Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie dolls, she is also known for Barbie dolls being named after her.
• Ruth Handler: An American businesswoman and inventor, she is most well known as the creator of the Barbie doll.
• Elliot Handler: An American inventor and businessman, who co-founded Mattel Inc., a multinational toy manufacturing company, with his wife Ruth Handler. He's also known for creating the Hot Wheels die-cast cars.
• Robert B Handler: A famous IT analyst who worked for the well-known information technology company, Gartner, Inc.
• Eric Handler: Co-founder of a popular festival called the Burning Man Project.

Other surnames

HandleHandleryHandleyHandlosHandloserHandlossHandlosserHandly