Surname Stehl - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Stehl: What does the surname Stehl mean?
The last name Stehl is of German origin. However, its exact meaning is not clear or well-documented. Some suggest it could be derived from the German verb "stehlen" which means "to steal", but it doesn't necessarily imply that the name carriers were associated with thieving. It might also be linked to a place or a profession, a common practice in the creation of surnames. Another idea is that it might come from the Middle High German word "stel" referring to a piece of land or property. But without specific genealogical context, it's impossible to determine the precise meaning. To better understand the meaning or history behind the last name Stehl, professional genealogical research or DNA testing would be required.
Order DNA origin analysisStehl: Where does the name Stehl come from?
The last name Stehl is a German-language surname of ethnic Slovenian origin. It is most commonly found today in Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, and Germany, as well as in the United States.
In Slovenia, the Stehl family originated in the area around the Kolpa River, in the municipalities of Cerknica, Kostel, and Kočevje. This area was historically part of the Duchy of Carniola, which was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Stehl family was mainly concentrated in the villages of Čedem, Košacin, Matajur, Slivnica, and Sovšce. Nowadays, Stahl is among the ten most frequent surnames in Slovenia, with over 1.7 million individuals bearing the name throughout the country.
In Austria, the Stehl family can be traced back to the city of Graz, in Styria, which was the capital of the Duchy of Carniola. Graz is the second most populous city in Austria, home to many Slovenians throughout its history. The Stehl family has been an integral part of the Slovenian community in Graz since at least the 16th century.
In Germany, the Stehl family is mainly found in the region of Bavaria, and its most likely that their ancestors originated from the area around the Kolpa River. In the United States, the Stehl name is primarily concentrated in Wisconsin, which had large Slovenian immigrant communities in the early 20th century.
All in all, the last name Stehl is most commonly seen today in Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Germany, and the U.S., making it an international and multicultural surname.
Variations of the surname Stehl
The surname Stehl is a variant of the German name "Stahl". It is a family name derived from the nickname Stahl, which means "steel" in German. This surname was most commonly found in the Rhineland Palatinate region in Germany during the 19th century, but it is also prevalent in other parts of Europe.
Variants of Stehl include Stahl, Steele, Stiehl, Stiehler, Steible, Stieblich, Steibel and Steible. It is also seen as Stail and Stahel.
The spelling of "Stehl" can also vary, depending on the language being used. The spelling in German is "Stehl", while in English it is more commonly seen as "Stahl" or "Steel".
Other surnames that are related to Stehl include Eisenhauer, which means "iron-hewer" in German, and Buchwalder, derived from the Middle High German "buchwalt", which translates to "bookkeeper". The name Metzger comes from the olf Saxon "metzgare", meaning "butcher", and could also be related to the same origin as Stehl.
The origins of the surname Stehl can be traced back to the Middle Ages when people were given nicknames to differentiate them from others with the same given name. The nickname Stahl, which means "steel" in German, was likely given to a sturdy and strong person.
Famous people with the name Stehl
- Joe Stehl: Joe is an American actor who has appeared in Breaking Bad and the hit TV show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
- Mark Stehl: Mark is an American journalist with nearly 20 years of experience covering news stories from around the world.
- Karl Stehl: Karl is a German professional soccer player who plays for Hamburger SV.
- Tori Stehl: Tori is a model and social media influencer from Atlanta, GA.
- Jeff Stehl: Jeff is an American comedian who has appeared on The Tonight Show and other late-night comedy shows.
- Jessie Stehl: Jessie is the founder of a tech start-up, focused on developing innovative software solutions for small businesses.
- Hannah Stehl: Hannah is an American golfer who has won numerous amateur tournaments.
- Dieter Stehl: Dieter is a German professional cyclist and former world champion in the time trial discipline.
- Josephine Stehl: Josephine is an Austrian graphic designer.
- Antonio Stehl: Antonio is a professional basketball player from Brazil, playing in the Liga Nacional de Básquetbol.