Surname Oehrli - Meaning and Origin
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Oehrli: What does the surname Oehrli mean?
The surname Oehrli is of Swiss origin. It is predominantly found in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland and is considered quite rare. The exact meaning of the surname is not definitively known as it possibly derives from an old Swiss-German word or phrase. Like many surnames, it could be associated with an occupation, geographical location, or a characteristic of the family's patriarch. However, without a specific and verifiable source, these can only be assumptions. It's always advisable for those interested in surname etymology to consult registries or historical documents for more accurate information, or to engage the services of a professional genealogist. As with all surnames, it carries the heritage and history of a family lineage and forms an important part of a person's identity.
Order DNA origin analysisOehrli: Where does the name Oehrli come from?
The surname Oehrli is quite a rare name, but it can be found in a few countries around the world.
In Europe, the surname Oehrli is predominantly found in Switzerland, where it is thought to have originated. Oehrli is also quite common in neighboring Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
In North America, the surname is quite rare, although it can be found in the U.S. states of Montana, California, and Oregon.
In Asia, the surname also appears to be quite rare. The few occurrences are found in the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.
In Australia, the surname Oehrli is much more common compared to the other countries already mentioned. It is thought that the surname arrived here in the 18th century through an Austrian-immigrant family whose name was Oehrli.
In South America, the surname is found on very few occasions in Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
Overall, the surname Oehrli is most commonly found in Europe. In particular, the surname is quite popular in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. It can also be found in some parts of North America, Australia, Asia, and South America, although it is much rarer in these areas.
Variations of the surname Oehrli
The surname Oehrli is a German patronymic name derived from the personal name Ehrenfried, or a short form of Ehrenreich (honourable ruler).
Variants of Oehrli include Oehri, Oehli, Oehrle and Oehre; however, these variants are quite rare. A more common variant, although not as ancient, is Oehler. The variants entered different countries with different spellings, including Ehrli, Ehrle, Erli, Erle, Ohrli, Ohrle, Oerli, Oerle, Orelli, Orelli, Orely, Orli, Orly, Orlye, Orye, Urli, Urle, and Urye.
Surnames with similar origins include Ehrenfried, Ehrenfreund, Ehrenfriedel, Ehrlich, Ehret, Ehrich, Erich, Erlich, Ertel, Ohrenstein, Orlich, Orloff, Orlove, Orlow and Orlov.
Although sharing similar origins, there are still distinct differences between the surname, its variants and those surnames with similar origins. It is important to note that the main spelling of Oehrli is found especially in Switzerland, and variants and similar names are rarely found across other countries in Europe.
Famous people with the name Oehrli
- Eero Oehrli, Swiss freeskier
- Reuben Oehrli, New Zealand sculptor
- Jamie Oehrli, American swimmer
- Vaclav Oehrli, Austrian hockey player
- Liesl Oehrli, Swiss alpine skier
- Eduard Oehrli, Swiss psychiatrist
- Thomas Oehrli, Swiss alpine skier
- Ernst Oehrli, Swiss archaeologist
- Ulrich Oehrli, Swiss hurdler
- Felix Oehrli, Swiss bobsledder