Surname Loehr - Meaning and Origin
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Loehr: What does the surname Loehr mean?
The last name Loehr is a German surname that has a variety of different meanings. The most common conjecture is that it is derived from the Middle High German term lohr, which translates to a laurel bush or laurel wreath. This type of wreath was commonly used as an emblem of victory or honor in ancient Greece and Rome, thus representing a person of distinction.
The surname may also be derived from the Middle High German word làhr which means “clearing”. This could mean that the original bearer of the surname was a person who lived in a region of forest that was cleared of trees by an early settler or a landowner. This origin could also link to the “Lohrmann”, a profession common in German-speaking countries during the Middle Ages and early modern period. This was a person in charge of converting regions of timberland into usable farmland.
Other possible origins of the last name Loehr include a habitational name pertaining to Laar, Germany; the Old German form of Lawrence; and the variants of the name Lauper, which comes from the Latin word lupus, meaning “wolf”. The surname could also be associated with a person who lived near a stream or pool, as those are common derivations of the term làhr.
Overall, the last name Loehr has a variety of possible meanings and origins, and thus it can be traditional to several different cultures. It still remains a popular name in many parts of the world, and continues to represent a person of remarkable distinction.
Order DNA origin analysisLoehr: Where does the name Loehr come from?
The last name Loehr is most common in Germany today but can be found in many other countries around the world as well.
In Germany, Loehr is especially prevalent in the northwest and western regions of the country. It is particularly common in states like North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig-Holstein. Loehr is also found in states like Saxony, Baden-Wurttemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria.
Outside of Germany, Loehr is most commonly found in the United States. The origin of the Loehr name in the U.S. is typically traced back to 19th century Germany when it was brought to the country by immigrants. Today, numerous generations of Loehrs reside in the U.S., most of them having settled in the midwest, particularly in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
In other countries, Loehr is represented in smaller numbers. Australia, Canada, England, and the Netherlands all have smaller communities of Loehrs spread throughout their countries.
Overall, last name Loehr can be found in various parts of the world, but it is most prominent in Germany, and the U.S. in particular.
Variations of the surname Loehr
The surname Loehr is derived from the German and Dutch language and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is closely connected to the name Löhr and is an example of a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the personal name of the progenitor of the family.
Variants of the name Loehr include Loer, Lohr, Lehr, Loehr, Leer and Löhr. In Dutch, the surname can be spelled as Loehre, Löhre and Leure. In German, Juloher, Joer and Jöhr are all variations of the original name.
In the United States, some of the most common surnames are of German origin, including those derived from the name Loehr. The pronunciation of the name is slightly different in the US, often being said as “Lurr” or “Lerr”.
In some cases, the name Loehr has been changed to the Anglicized surnames Lowrey, Leroy and Laurie. In England, the term Lawrie became popular with many branches of the family. In some instances, the name can be seen spelled as Lehre, Lör or even Leder.
The popularity of the different spellings of the surname has grown over the centuries. However, regardless of the spelling, all originate from the same German and Dutch term of Loehr.
Famous people with the name Loehr
- Martin Loehr: Martin Loehr is a German figure skater and a multiple German national champion at junior and senior level. He also placed 7th at the 2018 World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
- Carl Loehr: Carl Loehr was an American professional handyman who was a 15-time world champion overall and 10-time champion at cattle drives.
- Kim Loehr: Kim Loehr is an American actor and voice actor, best known for his role in the television series The Beverly Hillbillies.
- Fred Loehr- Fred Loehr is an American entrepreneur and land developer. He is well known for his development of some of Atlanta's premier neighborhoods, such as Ansley Park and Druid Hills.
- Burke Loehr: Burke Loehr is an American fine art painter and sculptor whose works have been featured in numerous galleries and museums around the world.
- Gail Loehr: Gail Loehr is a jewelry designer and gemologist. She is the owner of Loehr Jewelers, a family-run business that has been in operation since 1969.
- Brianna Loehr: Brianna Loehr is an American musician and songwriter who started her career in the folk rock band The Flaming Lips.
- Jean Loehr: Jean Loehr is an American artist, best known for her abstract paintings and multi-media art installations. She has exhibited her work in solo and group shows throughout the US and Europe.
- Olaf Loehr: Olaf Loehr was a German Nazi SS officer and "Kreisleiter" of the city of Norwegen-Rügen.
- Mark Loehr: Mark Loehr is an American jazz musician and composer who has released several albums on major record labels. He is a noted jazz guitarist, saxophonist and vocalist.