Surname Oettli - Meaning and Origin
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Oettli: What does the surname Oettli mean?
The surname Oettli is a German surname originating in Switzerland and is of patronymic origin, meaning it is derived from the name of the bearer's father or ancestor. It is composed of two elements; the German word "öt," meaning eagle, and the Old High German word "li," meaning descendant.
The name is thought to have been adopted by a family who were descendants of a man named Azzo, who was nicknamed "Eaglesman". This nickname was derived from his outstanding skill at training and handling birds of prey. The surname has been found in records as far back as the 16th century in Basel and Zug, two Swiss cantons.
Throughout Europe the Oettli surname is not common, although a family bearing this name was found in Estonia in the 18th century. One notable figure of this surname is Melchior Oettli, a Swiss theologian, who worked at the University of Basel.
Today, the Oettli surname is rarely found in Switzerland, but can still be found in some German-speaking areas. Despite this, the name is still thought to have had a long and noble history in the country.
The German word "eagle" and the Old High German word "li" can still be seen in the modern spelling of the surname Oettli; symbols of a family proud of their noble heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisOettli: Where does the name Oettli come from?
The last name Oettli has German-Swiss origins and is most commonly found in Switzerland today. The name is derived from a place-name derived from the Middle High German word "uotlî" which means "outlook." Records of the name began showing up in records by the mid-16th century in the canton of Lombardy, Switzerland, which is now the modern-day canton of Uri.
Oettli is a somewhat rare surname, and only about 600 or so people across the entire world currently bear the name. The highest concentration of Oettlis are in Switzerland, particularly in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, Aargau, Basel-Stadt, Luzern, and Basel-Landschaft. It is also quite common in the neighbouring Liechtenstein.
Smaller pockets of the name can be found in Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, the United States and a few other countries. In the US, a small number of Oettlis can be found in the states of Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.
The name Oettli is likely to remain quite rare due to its limited origins and its relatively small number of current bearers. However, those Natives of Oettli, wherever they may be, can take pride in their shared heritage and the history behind their family name.
Variations of the surname Oettli
The surname Oettli is a Germanic name that dates back centuries and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. In the United States, the surname is generally spelled Oettli, while in other countries it is spelled Oetli, Oettl, Uetli, Oettel, Ottely and Otteli.
The Germanic origins of Oettli can be traced back centuries, with the earliest written evidence of the name found in 14th Century Switzerland records. The spelling of the name is derived from the medieval personal name 'Uodalric', composed of elements of Germanic origin meaning 'rich in fortune' and 'son of ruler'. The spelling of the name has since evolved over time through dialects and language changes.
In the United States, variants of Oettli include Utzli, Uetzli, Uetzi and Utzi. These U.S. variants of the Oettli surname share a Swiss-German origin.
Similar surnames include Utely, Uettle, Ueteli and Ottely. These surnames are derived from the same source as Oettli and share a similar Germanic history.
Other surnames of the same origin include Oetzel, Oettelein, Oettelgroth, Ottel, Uittli and Ouetle. These surnames are derived from the same original form of the name, and all have Germanic origins.
Overall, the surname Oettli has a long Germanic history, with numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. This surname still carries a significant presence in German-speaking countries, and is increasingly becoming more widespread throughout the world.
Famous people with the name Oettli
- Urs Oettli: Swiss International Master of Chess
- Brandon Oettli: Professional cyclist on the USA Cycling Team
- Hans Oettli: Swiss musicologist and music educator
- Caspar Oettli: Swiss businessman and former president of SEFRA AG
- Max Oettli: Swiss painter and sculptor
- Georg Oettli: Swiss painter and graphic artist
- Willy Oettli: Swiss politician
- Michael Oettli: Swiss theatre director
- Lucien Oettli: Swiss ice hockey player
- August Oettli: Swiss mountain climber