Surname Schierloh - Meaning and Origin
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Schierloh: What does the surname Schierloh mean?
The last name Schierloh is a German surname, likely derived from the word “schier,” which means “generally” or “considerably” in German. It is a compound word, combining “schier” with “loh,” an old German term meaning “clearing” or “opening.” This could potentially indicate that Schierloh initially referred to a geographical area, a place where people opened up and cleared the land for habitation.
The name Schierloh may have been adopted by a single family, or it could have been popularized among a larger group of people—perhaps those who worked in the clearing and cultivating of the land. They may have adopted this name to distinguish their work from others, as land cultivating was a significant part of everyday life in Germany in the Middle Ages.
Alternatively, it is also possible that Schierloh was a sociological name—it could have referred to a group of people who distinguished themselves through general characteristics or behaviors, such as their wisdom, strength, or courage. This would be in keeping with the translation of the words “schier” and “loh” as “generally” and “clearing,” or “opening.”
In any case, the last name Schierloh is a proud, centuries-old German name which has significance in the history of the German people and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisSchierloh: Where does the name Schierloh come from?
The surname Schierloh is most common in Germany, especially in the western part of the country. It's derived from the German word ‘schier’, which means ‘alderwood’, and ‘loh’ which means ‘clearing’. This suggests that the surname likely originated in villages formed in previously wooded areas.
Within Germany, the highest concentrations of the surname Schierloh are in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Lower Saxony. It's also fairly common in neighboring countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
The surname has spread globally in recent decades, although it remains much rarer outside of Germany and its neighboring regions. In the United States, it tends to be found in cities with strong German immigrant populations, particularly Chicago and New York City. It has also spread to other parts of the world, including Brazil, Argentina, and Australia.
As the Schierloh surname is relatively rare, it is quite easy to trace family history connected to it. This is especially the case for those with the surname living in countries where it is most common, such as Germany. The internet and social media have also dramatically improved the ability to trace these family ties over the past decade.
Variations of the surname Schierloh
The surname Schierloh is a Germanic/Frankish name, originating from the Schierloh region in Germany. The spelling and variations of the name include Schierl, Schierle, Schierloh, Schierlow, Schierlohs, Schierloff, Schierloch, Sheerlow, Sheerloe, Sheerloh, Sheerloff and Sheerloch.
Schierloh is a patronymic name that comes from the word "schier" meaning water or moisture. A patronymic surname is one that is derived from the name of one's father or paternal ancestor. As time has passed, many variations of the name have emerged in both Germany and the United States.
In Germany, the name is commonly spelled with an "h" instead of an "l", such as Schierloh. In Germany, this spelling is mainly used in the Hamburg, Hesse and Saxony regions. In the United States, the spelling with an "l" is more commonly used, such as Schierle.
The Schierloh surname is an uncommon name, but it is still found in small numbers in Germany and the United States. It is also found in other countries around the world such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Over time, the name itself can become a source of pride, and some families embrace it as part of their identity and heritage.
Famous people with the name Schierloh
- Alexandra Schierloh: German actress, known for her roles in films such as Schilf and Vier Minuten and TV series such as Tatort and Der Kriminalist.
- Georg Schierloh: German sculptor and painter of the Neue Sachlichkeit movement, best known for his bronze figures of dispelled soldiers from the War.
- Bernd Schierloh: German entrepreneur and engineer, the co-founder of the first wind energy company, and the inventor of the ground-based wind turbine.
- Klaus Schierloh: German film and television actor, with roles in movies such as The Life and Adventures of Robert Mugabe and TV series such as Weimar Aufbruch ins Neue.
- Sabine Schierloh: German actress, known for her roles in films such as Daughter of the Alps and TV series such as SOKO Köln.
- Norman Schierloh: German journalist, founder and editor-in-chief of the magazine Die Zeit.
- Kurt Schierloh: German World War II veteran, awarded for numerous orders of bravery for his shift at the Battle of Bible Hill in the Battle of Normandy.
- Jackson Schierloh: American musician and songwriter, member of the band Midtown, best known for his single, 'Two Twelve'.
- Markus Schierloh: German professional footballer, currently playing for FC Schalke 04.
- Karl Schierloh: German film director and screenwriter, with notable works such as Die Jugend and Allerleirauh.