Surname Orthwein - Meaning and Origin
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Orthwein: What does the surname Orthwein mean?
The last name Orthwein is thought to be of German origin. The name is believed to have derived from two German nouns – 'ord' meaning 'point' or 'corner', and 'wein' meaning 'meadow'. Together, the name likely means 'corner meadow', likely referring to a corner of a meadow or a meadow that is located close to a corner.
The name Orthwein may have been an indication of ownership of land – the earliest recorded holders of the name might have been people who owned or had claim to a particular corner meadow. From this area, the name may have been taken as the family's surname when the practice of hereditary surnames became popular during the Middle Ages.
The Orthwein family was perhaps first found in Bavaria, a historical region of modern-day Germany, where they were recorded in chronicles as early as 1260. Later on, other Orthweins spread out across Europe and eventually made their way to the United States.
Today, the Orthweins are an established name in many countries. While many members of the Orthwein family have worked in traditional professions such as farming, there have also been notable members such as lawyer and former NFL team owner James Orthwein.
Order DNA origin analysisOrthwein: Where does the name Orthwein come from?
The last name Orthwein is common primarily in Germany today, particularly in the former East Germany. This is likely due to its German origin -- the name is derived from the German word for "lion courage," and was likely first used by people living in Germany centuries ago.
The name has since spread to other parts of Europe, and researchers have noted occurrences of Orthwein families in Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other German-speaking areas. The name is also becoming more common in North America due to immigration.
Many members of the Orthwein family moved away from Germany during times of hardship and conflict, such as World War II and the Cold War, which had a significant impact on East German citizens. These migrations allowed the last name Orthwein to become increasingly widespread in different geographical locations.
In the United States, especially in the Midwest, the last name Orthwein is relatively common. In states such as Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin, Orthwein is an increasingly common surname. This is likely due to the strong German presence in these regions of the country, as many German immigrants settled here in the 1800s.
The Orthwein family also appears throughout Canada, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding cities. To this day, there are many Orthwein families living in Germany, the United States, and Canada, continuing to carry on the surname.
Variations of the surname Orthwein
The surname Orthwein is derived from a German-Austrian name and has many variants and spellings. Other variants include Orteins, Orthweins, Ortwein, Ortweins, and Oertwein. Variations of this name include Ortwin, Orthwin, Ort grasped, Ortnuss, and Ortweger. In some regions, the spelling may be reversed so “Niwethro” and “Niwethri” are also other spellings.
The surname Orthwein has many variations in other countries. In Germany, it may be found as Orthwein, Orthweins, Orthwine, Ortnuss, or Ortwin. In the Netherlands, it may also be spelled Ortwine or Ortwein. In Denmark, it may be spelled Ortwein or Ortvin. In Poland, the name may be spelled as Oertwin, Ortwin, or Ortweger.
Surnames with similar origins may include Orthmann, Orthey, Orthen, Ortman, or Ortner. A variant of the name Ortwein is located in the Swiss regions as Ortweis and Ortwich. In Austria, the name is spelled as Orthwine or Orthwein. In Luxembourg, the name is spelled as Ortwein or Ortwin.
Variations of the name also has originated from other countries like the United States, France, Luxembourg and Slovenia. In the United States, the names Orthwein, Ortwine, Orteins, Ortweins, and Ortweger's are widely known. In France, the name Orthwine is often used. In Luxembourg and Slovenia, the name is spelled as Ortwein or Ortwin.
Overall, the surname Orthwein is an attractive German-Austrian variant with many interesting spellings and surnames with similar origins. Today, the Orthwein surname is found in many places throughout Europe, with the most popular spelling being Orthwein in Germany.
Famous people with the name Orthwein
- Edward B. Orthwein: Investor, former owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams
- Charles Orthwein: Chairman and CEO of Starwood Hotels and Resorts
- John Orthwein: Industrialist
- Tom Orthwein: Businessman, banker, and philanthropist
- Frederick Orthwein: U.S. Army colonel and German language expert
- Verena Orthwein: German actress
- Waldemar Orthwein: German author, editor, encyclopedist, and travel writer
- Charlotte Orthwein: Austrian theatre and television actress
- Steve Orthwein: Businessman and philanthropist
- Ernst Orthwein: German playwright and composer