Surname Ohlschlägel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
Ohlschlägel: What does the surname Ohlschlägel mean?
Ohlschlägel is a German surname with a long and complicated history. The name dates back to the 12th century, when it was first recorded as a locative in the area of Berentz, Germany. The suffix "-schlägel" indicates that the bearers of the name were members of a family that specialized in forging metal tools. The "Ohl" part of the name has two suggested origins; one is derived from the German word "Ohle" which refers to an ornamental shield or horn usually made of metal, while the other is derived from a Middle High German forename, "Ohllo".
Although Ohlschlägel was used as a surname for centuries, it was not fixed and was often combined with other names. This was done to distinguish individuals within the large family, or sometimes as a sign of respect. Eventually permanent surnames became more common and the practice of name merging faded away.
It is believed that the Ohlschlägel family spread throughout Germany and its surrounding countries due to the peripatetic nature of metal workers. It is possible they also had a presence in the Southern part of the British Isles- as their occupation was not limited to the continent.
Overall, the Ohlschlägel family has a unique and interesting story. The history of the Ohlschlägel name speaks to a rich tradition of metalworking, and the family's legacy as skilled metal workers will continue for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisOhlschlägel: Where does the name Ohlschlägel come from?
Ohlschlägel is a surname which has roots in German speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. It is also common in Poland, likely due to migration of German settlers during the Middle Ages. Today, it is also seen in both the United States and Canada, with growing numbers of people bearing this surname.
In the US, Texas is the state with the largest concentration of people with the Ohlschlägel surname (just over 100 individuals). Additionally, Washington State, California and Wyoming all have at least 20 people of this family name. In Canada, the largest concentration of Ohlschlägels is found in Ontario.
The origin of the surname likely derives from the Middle High German words “olschlägel” or “olschläge,” which was a term for a palisade or stake used in fortification walls. This suggests that the name is of an occupational origin, likely associated with people who worked in the construction of defensive structures.
Despite originating in German speaking regions, the Ohlschlägel surname is more widely dispersed globally today. There is no single region or country that has a significant population of people with this surname, although Texas, Washington, California, Wyoming, Ontario and several others have a sizable presence.
Variations of the surname Ohlschlägel
The surname Ohlschlägel has multiple variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants of the surname are Ohlschlager, Ohlschlaeger and Ohlschlegel. Less common variants include Ohlschalager, Ohlschalgel, Olschlager and Oleschlager.
The surname Ohlschläger is derived from the Middle High German name Hulschelagare, which means “hawksherd” or “captain of hawks”. It is thought that the original bearer of the name was a falconer or the captain of a hunting party. The name may also have been taken on in recognition of a profession or hobby, relatively common in medieval Europe.
Variations of the surname include Oleslager, Oleschlager, and Ohlschlager. These variations are thought to have been a result of migration, particularly from Germany, and vary slightly between countries. In the United States, the surname is most commonly spelled Ohlschlager.
In German-speaking countries, the surname is spelled Ohlschläger. It is also common to find it spelled Ohlschlegel, although this spelling is less popular in English-speaking countries.
Variants of the surname include Olschlager and Oleschlager. These spellings are more often seen in Eastern Europe, such as in Russia, Hungary and Romania. In addition, variants such as Ohlschalager and Ohlschalgel can also be found.
The surname Ohlschlägel is related to other surnames such as Hulschelages, Howlselager and Hulschleger. All of these surnames come from the Middle High German term Hulschelagare.
Famous people with the name Ohlschlägel
- Thorsten Ohlschlägel: A German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for FC Utrecht.
- Jan Ohlschlägel: A professional football manager who served as sporting director for FSV Mainz 05 between 2009 and 2011 and FC Luzern, between 2016-2017.
- Wolfgang Ohlschlägel: A German rock musician, composer, lyricist, and music producer known for his work with the German band Olafh and the U.K. band Salomon.
- Andreas Ohlschlägel: A German Yanomami filmmaker and anthropologist who produced three documentaries about the Yanomami people.
- Johann Ohlschlägel: A German author and historian who chose to focus on the history of Brandenburg, which resulted in several books and essays.
- Richard Ohlschlägel: A German film and television producer and director best known for his work on the historical-drama television series 'DieFlucht'.
- Claus Ohlschlägel: A German video game developer and visual artist. He has worked on a variety of projects, from small independent video game projects to large projects like 'Far Cry 4'.