Surname Oertli - Meaning and Origin
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Oertli: What does the surname Oertli mean?
The last name Oertli is of Germanic origin and is derived from the German word “Oertli” which means “little man”. The origin of the name could refer to someone of a smaller stature or more likely, a gentleman of small means.
The Oertli surname first appears in the 1600s in the southern regions of Germany. During this time, Germany was a landscape of regional dialects and customs, and the name Oertli first appears in Swabian populations.
Variants of the name vary among dialects of German including Oertle, Ortli, Ovartl, Orley, Orli, Ertl and Erli. During the early modern period it spread further into Austria, Switzerland, and beyond.
Today, the Oertli name can be found across the globe, although concentrations exist in Central and part of Eastern Europe. In some cases, descendants have adopted other spellings and shortened the name to Ortl, possibly in an effort to shorten it on applications or forms.
Regardless the spelling, the last name Oertli was likely given to pay respect to someone from humble beginnings or who had a smaller stature. The name has evolved over time and is still very much a part of Europe’s history.
Order DNA origin analysisOertli: Where does the name Oertli come from?
The last name Oertli is most commonly found in Switzerland, where it is among the top 800 surnames. Switzerland is home to many various immigrant backgrounds, and as a result of its historical and eclectic nature as a nation, there are numerous surnames which hail from international origins. However, the surname Oertli has relatively strong Swiss roots and is often found within the defined area.
Oertli can often be seen in the town and canton of Zurich, which is the largest city in Switzerland and home to over 400,000 residents. In Zurich, the Oertli surname is most commonly found within the rural villages of the canton and in the city’s lively downtown districts. The Oertli family name is also present in the nearby towns of Basel, St. Gallen, and Bern, where it is quickly transforming into one of the most popular surnames in the area.
The worldwide presence of Oertli increases when looking at Europe as a whole. This surname can be found in small numbers in Germany, France, and Italy, where it has most likely spread due to historic migrations within the continent.
Additionally, the growing number of expatriates living in North America and other regions outside of Europe have made migrating the Oertli surname even more commonplace. As a result, today the surname Oertli can be spotted in multiple countries depending on the location. Consequently, this name remains one of the most recognized surnames in Switzerland, as well as being part of a larger international network.
Variations of the surname Oertli
The surname Oertli has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variants include: Oerli, Ortl, Ortli, Oertel, Oertle, and Oertell. Additionally, Oertel is also spelled Orthl, Ortel, Örtel, Örtl, Örtli, Örtle, and Örtel. The surnames Uhl, Ull, Ulle, Oehler, Oehle, Oehl, Oehli, Oehlen, Oehlle, Oehlmann, Uhlmann, Uele, Uehell, Uehli, Uehle, Oehlmann's, Öhl, and Ölle are also derived from the name Oertli.
The surname is believed to be German in origin, and it likely originated in Bavaria before the 19th century. The name is derived from the Latin word "urtis", which means hedge. Over time, the spelling changed to render the surname in its present form.
By the 20th century, the surname had spread to many different countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary and Germany. Today, the surname is most common in Germany and Switzerland. The surname has many different spellings and variations, and it is common in both Europe and North America.
Famous people with the name Oertli
- Robert Oertli: Swiss diver, won two Olympic silver medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
- Eugen Oertli: Swiss art historian and curator, known for his collections of paintings and prints by Swiss artists.
- Fred Oertli: Swiss architect, designer of the Oertli-Haus, one of the most significant examples of early modernist architecture in Switzerland.
- Martin Oertli: Swiss football manager, former head coach of the Swiss national team.
- Pietro Oertli: Swiss tennis coach and co-founder of the Swiss Tennis Federation.
- Ludwig Oertli: Swiss ophthalmologist, author of the first monograph on the pathology of the eye and the pupil.
- René Oertli: Swiss basketball player, competed with the Swiss national team at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
- Klaus Oertli: Swiss biochemist, known for his contributions to the development of diagnostic tests for breast cancer.
- Jos Oertli: Swiss jazz musician, composer and arranger, a founding member of the jazz group “Black Earth.”
- Fritz Oertli: Swiss-American historian, author of “A History of the Reformation in Switzerland: From the Roman Catholic Church to the Free Church.”