Surname Soehnle - Meaning and Origin
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Soehnle: What does the surname Soehnle mean?
The last name Soehnle is a German surname of uncertain origin. It is believed to have originally been a toponymic surname, derived from the village of Söhnle in the Rhineland-Palatinate region. Alternatively, it is possible that the surname is derived from an old German word meaning “soil”, or from a personal name, such as Sohnold, which means “son of”.
Most families bearing the last name Soehnle were found in Bavaria, but there are scattered records that suggest a presence of individuals bearing the surname in Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
The name Soehnle today is quite uncommon, but some modern uses exist in the fields of online media, entertainment, and technology. In some cases, it has been used as a business name or a nickname.
Despite its rarity, the name Soehnle has been used as a mark of distinction by a small number of individuals throughout the centuries, often in certain professional circles. It has been given particular value in the areas of architecture, engineering, heraldry, and literature.
In a sense, the last name Soehnle is a survivor from the past that has stood the test of time and gained a degree of relevance in modern life and culture. Those who bear the last name today should be proud of their heritage, while recognizing the wide range of contributions made by this name throughout history.
Order DNA origin analysisSoehnle: Where does the name Soehnle come from?
The last name Soehnle is a German-sounding surname but can be found around the world today, including in the United States of America, Australia, and England.
Originally derived from the German language, Soehnle roughly translates as ‘son of a lion’, reflecting its initial use in the Middle Ages for the son of a warrior or ruler.
Today, the surname is still fairly common in Germany. Genealogical records indicate that it is most prevalent in the southern German regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
There are a number of Soehnles in the USA today, where the surname is particularly popular in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. This likely reflects the region's strong German-American heritage.
In Australia, the name is most common in South Australia, and in England it is most prevalent in Lancashire.
In both Australia and England, it is likely that the surname arrived in the late 19th or early 20th century with German immigrants. Today it is spread throughout the English-speaking world, with a strong presence in the United States, Australia, and England.
Variations of the surname Soehnle
The surname Soehnle originated from southern Germany during the 1400s and is derived from the German word for son-in-law: Sohnle. Variants of the surname Soehnle are common due to the many dialects in the language. Some of the variants and spellings that came out of the German language include Sohle, Sohle, Soehnl, Sehnl, Sehnle, Seonl, Seonle, Seunle, Seonle, and Seuhnl.
The spellings of the surname Soehnle have also been found in other Germanic countries. Variants in other countries of Europe include Sohnel, Sohnel, Soenel, Soenle, Sonele, Soehnel, Soehnlein, Sonnel, Sonnele, and Sonnle. Additional variants in other countries include Soempel and Soemelo (in Dutch) and Seinle, Sainle, Syhnle, and Seenle (in Russia).
The surname Soehnle can also be seen in English countries such as the United States, with the forms Souhunly, Soehnle, Suhnel, Suhnle, Suenle, Soonle, Sonlee, Soonley, and Soehnley.
Another version of the name seen in Scottish and Irish records is Swinley, which is derived from the spelling Sohnle. The form of the surname Swinley can also be found in structed Scottish surnames such as Swinley, Swin (or Swinney), Swinholme, Swinlaw, and Swinloch.
While the spelling variants may have changed, the surname Soehnle is still found today. It is a testament to the pioneering German immigrants who brought this unique surname to different locations.
Famous people with the name Soehnle
- Richard Soehnle, CEO of BSH Hausgeräte
- Liane Soehnle, German composer and music educator
- Günther Soehnle, German decorative painter
- Olaf Soehnle, German entrepreneur, former CEO of Seeker Technologies
- Albert Soehnle, German author and journalist
- Jutta Soehnle, German television personality
- Harald Soehnle, German television news presenter
- Richard Soehnle, American musician
- Richard Soehnle, German luthier and creator of the Soeckinger guitar
- Harald Soehnle, German horse rider
- Karla Soehnle, German singer
- Philipp Soehnle, German entrepreneur, investor, and startup mentor
- Robert Soehnle, American sound mixer
- Marlene Soehnle, German geophysicist
- Felix Soehnle, German politician