Surname Oehrlein - Meaning and Origin

Oehrlein: What does the surname Oehrlein mean?

The surname Oehrlein is of German origin. However, the exact meaning of the last name Oehrlein is not definitively known. It appears to be a variant of Oehrl, a toponymic surname derived from Öhrl, the name of a place in Germany. However, without more specific historical and genealogical research, it's hard to give a definitive meaning. It's essential to know that the understanding of surnames can often vary due to regional dialects, the evolution of language, and the movement of people across regions and countries over centuries.

Oehrlein: Where does the name Oehrlein come from?

The last name Oehrlein is most common today in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and in parts of Eastern Europe. According to World Names Public Profiler, the name is significantly more common in Germany and Switzerland than it is elsewhere in the world.

In Germany, Oehrlein is most commonly found in the states of Bavaria, the Rhineland, and Lower Saxony. In Bavaria, the highest concentrations are in the cities of Munich and Nuremberg, as well as more rural locations such as Freising, Neuburg-Schrobenhausen, and Fürth. Similarly in the Rhineland, it's most common in cities like Dusseldorf, Cologne, and Aachen, as well as rural towns like Bonn, Remagen, and Fulda.

Switzerland also has a high concentration of the name Oehrlein, mainly in the German-speaking cantons such as Lucerne, Berne, and Zurich.

It's also been documented that the surname is incredibly rare outside of Austria, Germany and Switzerland, with the odd exception in Eastern European countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic. It's also possible that Oehrlein is more commonly found in parts of France that border the aforementioned countries, such as Alsace in the east of the country, and the Moselle region in the northeast.

Variations of the surname Oehrlein

The surname Oehrlein is an occupational surname of German origin which means "little harvester". It has been recorded in many forms, including Öhrlein, Oehhrlein, Oehler, Oehl, Oehlerin, Ohehrlein, Oehring, Ohrle, Ohrl, Öhrling, Oehlring, and Ohlen.

Among the early mention of the name was in the 16th-century records of Prussia, when a Johannes Oehle was recorded in 1575. Members of the Oehrlein family have been found throughout Germany and in other neighbouring countries.

Oehrlein is a very common variant of the surname and is mostly found in the central region of the country. The spelling Oehl is mostly found in northern Germany, particularly in the states of Hesse and Bavaria, while the Öhrlein variant is recorded mainly in southern Germany, especially in Baden-Württemberg.

The variant Oehlring is most often encountered in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and in other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein. The surnames Oehlerin and Ohehrlein are both variant spellings of Oehrlein which are mostly found in the former East Germany.

In some instances, Oehrlein may be an Americanised version of the immigrant surname Öhring, which is a variant of the more common Öhrlein. The variant Öhrling is encountered mostly among descendants of German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Additionally, the surname Ohlen is a variant of the Oehrlein which was first documented in the Berlin region and is most often encountered in Germany today. This variant of the surname is also found among other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland.

Famous people with the name Oehrlein

• Trisha Oehrlein: Trisha Oehrlein is an American actress best known for her roles in the TV series Parenthood and Franklin & Bash.
• Ben Oehrlein: Ben Oehrlein is an American actor who can be seen on the popular TV show Glee.
• Eric Oehrlein: Eric Oehrlein is a professional football player who currently is an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys.
• Jeffrey Oehrlein: Jeffrey Oehrlein is a professional soccer player who currently plays for the Portland Timbers.
• Winston Oehrlein: Winston Oehrlein is an American musician and percussionist who is a part of the alternative hip hop duo called Hot Karl.
• Tyler Oehrlein: Tyler Oehrlein is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights for the Bellator MMA promotion.
• Orvel Oehrlein: Orvel Oehrlein is an American ice hockey player who currently plays for the Fargo Force in the United State Hockey League.
• Alan Oehrlein: Alan Oehrlein is an American metal artist and sculptor best known for his unique and intricate works of art.
• Erik Oehrlein: Erik Oehrlein is a German businessman who currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer of Pirelli Tires.
• Emma Oehrlein: Emma Oehrlein is an American photographer and artist based in New York City. Her works have been featured in numerous publications and galleries both locally and internationally.

Other surnames

Oehrle