Surname Ortlib - Meaning and Origin

Ortlib: What does the surname Ortlib mean?

The surname Ortlib is a German name derived from the Old High German term “ort in lib” which translates to “walled in work” or “fortification.” This typically refers to a place located in a valley and surrounded by hills or mountains. It is most likely that the name was first given to families who had landownership or worked within a fortification.

The surname first appeared in the early 11th century and was likely adopted by individuals living in or near fortifications. During the medieval and renaissance period, fortifications were essential in defending against invasion. These fortifications marked a boundary of sorts, and many families could be identified by their association with these fortifications.

The Ortlib surname has remained popular in Germany and Austria, and is also found in Switzerland, Poland, Slovenia and the United States. Common variants in the United States include Ortlib, Ortleeb, Ortlieb, Ortlip, and Ottybeer.

Overall, Ortlib is a unique and distinctive surname that is meaningful and historic. It is associated with fortifications and is perhaps best known for being derived from the German word “ort in lib,” which means “walled in work.”

Ortlib: Where does the name Ortlib come from?

The Ortlib surname is a common name among European countries such as Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. It is believed to be of German origin, derived from a German-based variant of the name Arnold, a common name in Europe.

The Ortlib surname is especially common in Germany, where it can be found in various areas throughout the country. The highest concentrations of the surname can be found in the states of Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia.

Within Bavaria, you can find the Ortlib name more commonly in the southern regions, such as Franconia, Baden-Württemberg, and the Swabian region. As for the Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia regions, the name is more evenly spread across these areas.

It's worth noting that the name Ortlib can also be found in other countries, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine. However, these areas have much lower concentrations of the name compared to Germany.

In conclusion, the Ortlib surname is still extremely common in Germany and other European countries. It is believed to have originated from a German-based variant of the name Arnold. The highest concentrations of the surname are found in Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, and North Rhine-Westphalia, but you can also find it in other countries as well.

Variations of the surname Ortlib

Ortlib is a surname of French origin. It likely comes from the French word ortel, meaning an edict or decree. Most variants and spellings of the surname Ortlib come from the same region in France. Common variations in spelling include Ortellib, Orteil, and Ortlb. Additionally, surnames with similar origins include Ortois, Orties, Ortein, and Ortob.

In some cases the surname Ortlib is also found by other spellings such as Orlindb, Ortlibb, and Ortilby. These variations originate from errors in recording and transcription by English officials throughout centuries. It is also possible that some of these variations may have been adopted intentionally by Ortlib families to distinguish themselves from other Ortlib families.

Today, the Ortlib surname is also found with various alternative spellings and surnames across multiple countries. In some cases, Ortlib descendants have changed the spelling of their surname slightly to better to match the pronunciation in their native language. Examples of this include Ortlip in Hungary, Ortlam in Poland, and Ortlimb in Germany.

Despite the numerous alterations this surname has seen over time, the origins of Ortlib remain closely tied to it's French origin. It is likely that many of the variants and spellings are direct descendants of this early French form, and therefore hinting at the original source of the Ortlib family line.

Famous people with the name Ortlib

• Günther Ortlib: was a German football player who played in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
• Harry Ortlib: was a former South African football (soccer) defender who played for the Knights in the early 1960s.
• Steven Ortlib: a former minor league baseball player who played for the San Diego Padres and New York Mets.
• Jimmy Ortlib: an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist who was active in Chicago from the 1950s onward.
• Joseph-Philippe Ortlib: a French skater who competed for the German Empire in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp.
• Manfred Ortlib: a German chemist and professor at the University of Dortmund who specialized in inorganic chemistry.
• Rebecca Ortlib: an American children’s book author and illustrator from Missouri whose books feature colorful and whimsical characters.
• Thomas Ortlib: a Bavarian architect and medalist active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
• Ludwig Ortlib: a 19th century Austrian infantry officer who fought in the Wars of German Unification.
• Eliza Ortlib: a popular 19th century Austrian painter who specialized in portrait and landscape art.

Other surnames

ÖrtliOrtlieb