Surname Ohrle - Meaning and Origin
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Ohrle: What does the surname Ohrle mean?
The surname Ohrle doesn't have a widely recognized or established meaning in English language or in other major European languages like German or French. It may stem from a much deeper regional or cultural origin with a specific meaning in that context. Sometimes, a surname's meaning can get lost over time due to changes in language and migration of people. It's possible that it could be a variant of another surname or could be rooted in professional, geographic, or personal characteristics of an ancestor. Surnames often originated to distinguish people by their occupation, the place they lived, their father’s name, or some distinguishing personal characteristic. To accurately determine the meaning and origin of the surname Ohrle, an examination of family histories, genealogical records, and regional historical context would be needed.
Order DNA origin analysisOhrle: Where does the name Ohrle come from?
The last name Ohrle is a German surname believed to have originated in the 13th century in East Prussia. Today, it is mainly found in Europe, particularly in Germany and Switzerland. A few Ohrles also live in the United States, Canada, Australia, and countries of the former Soviet Union.
In Germany, the name tends to be concentrated in several areas, including Franconia, themore in mountainous Bohemia, along the Weser river, as well as around Münsterland and in Cologne. In neighboring Switzerland, the name is commonly found in the cantons of the German-speaking region, particularly the capital Bern.
In the United States, there are some Ohio valleys and hills that bear the name of Ohrle suggesting that the family emigrated from East Prussia at some point in the colonial period. Indeed, the Ohrle surname has been traced to the United States as far back as the 1800s.
In terms of numbers, the Ohrle family is not large. In Germany, for example, the numbers are not high but significant enough to suggest that the family has a sustained tradition there. In Canada, meanwhile, the name is still relatively rare.
Overall, the Ohrle family name is not incredibly common today, but still has quite a presence in its homeland of Germany and in several other countries around the world, suggesting a long history and much emigration.
Variations of the surname Ohrle
The surname Ohrle is derived from the German surname “Orl”, from which it developed as a variant. The name is generally found in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. The surname Ohrle has several spellings, including Orl, Ohrl, Oerl, Orlle, Ohrlle, Oerlle, and Earle.
The variant spellings are likely due to the various dialects spoken in the German-speaking countries and regions of Europe. Each dialect produces a distinct pronunciation of the surname, which when transcribed into writing, could result in slight differences. Additionally, immigrants to the United States may have anglicized the written form of the name for further clarity.
The surnames Orl and Ohrl are among the oldest form of the surname Ohrle. Both were being used as surnames in the 12th century in Germany, as recorded through baptisms and burials of the day.
As the surname developed, various spellings emerged in different parts of the world. In some areas of Europe, like Switzerland, the surname became Oerl, while in Britain and the United States, some began using the surname Earle. This may have been to distinguish them from others of the same name more than to create a unique version of the surname.
Overall, the surname Ohrle is much more common today than its individual variant spellings, as it has been anglicized over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Ohrle
- Adolph Ohrle: Adolph Ohrle was a US Army Major General. He was born in Pittsburgh and served in World War II in the 11th Airborne Division, commanding the unit during the invasion of Okinawa.
- George Ohrle: George Ohrle was a professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and Vancouver Canucks.
- Harry Ohrle: Harry Ohrle is an actor who has appeared in television shows such as Parks and Recreation and films such as Inferno and Babe in the Woods.
- Janice Ohrle: Janice Ohrle is a former water resources and management professor at Montana State University. She has also worked at the University of Maryland and the United States Geological Survey.
- William Ohrle: William Ohrle was an investment banker and a financier who was instrumental in the development of the finance industry. He was a key figure in the early 1900s in groundbreaking deals in public finance and investment banking such as the Panama Canal financing and the first public sale of Mexican government bonds.