Surname Stehle - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling My Roots: A Detailed Account of Decoding the Surname 'Stehle' with iGENEA DNA Testing

My journey understanding my surname Stehle began with a DNA test through iGENEA. Incorporating autosomal and Y-DNA testing, the meticulous genetic analysis helped trace my lineage back to southwestern Germany and added layers to my knowledge about the historical context and profession traditionally associated with the Stehle name. The technical aspects and accuracy of the process were highly impressive, leaving no stone unturned.

F. Stehle

Stehle: What does the surname Stehle mean?

Stehle is a German surname. Its primary meaning traces back to the old High German word "stahal" which means "steel." Therefore, the name likely originated as an occupational surname for someone who worked with steel, possibly a blacksmith or a steelworker. However, names can have multiple, regional, and historical meanings, and meanings can change over time, influenced by migration, linguistic development, and cultural shifts. Notably, surnames originally related to a profession or trade were often given to individuals embodying characteristics associated with that role; hence, Stehle may also reflect some attributes of strength and durability. The name is prevalent in southwestern Germany, especially in the state of Baden-Württemberg. As with many other surnames, the specific meaning might vary within different family branches.

Stehle: Where does the name Stehle come from?

The last name Stehle is a German surname originating from an occupational name for someone who worked as a house servant. It is derived from the Middle High German word “stelen” meaning “to stick” or “to adhere to” which was likely a reference to someone who was reliable and stuck to their job.

Today, the last name Stehle is common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—particularly in the Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Baden-Württemberg regions of Germany. It is also common in other countries with German heritage, such as the United States, Mexico and Canada. In terms of population, the United States is the country with the most Stehles, followed by Germany.

In the United States, Stehle can often be found in areas such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, Texas, Colorado, and Oregon. The most significant concentration of people with this last name can be found in Pennsylvania, where it is the 30th most common surname in the state.

Throughout the world, Stehle is a relatively uncommon surname. It is estimated that roughly 0.017% of the world’s population has this last name.

Variations of the surname Stehle

The surname Stehle is believed to be of German origin and is thought to have derived from words meaning “a stone pillar or post” in Old German. Variants of this surname include Stahle, Stehlin, Stehl, Stahlin, Staehle, Stahel, Staehl and Staehlin.

In the United States, the spelling of the name is Stehle, while in Germany it is written as Stehle or Stahle. In other countries with German influences, the spelling may be Stahel, Stehel, Staehl, Staehlin and Stehlin.

The Stehle surname is also found in various spellings in other countries. In Switzerland and France, the surname is written as Stehlin. Sweden and Norway spell it as Stehle. In Hungary, it is Stehl, while in the Czech Republic it is written as Stehl.

In addition to the variants of the surname, there are also other similar surnames of the same origin. These include Stähele, Staehel, Staheli, Standahl, Staheli, Stahel, Stahels, and Stehlmann.

In conclusion, the surname Stehle has numerous variants of spelling and surnames of similar origin. These spellings are used in different parts of the world and represent the same origin of the name.

Famous people with the name Stehle

• Nico Stehle: a German professional ice hockey forward.
• Heinz Stehle: a Swiss ornithologist.
• Nick Stehle: a German-American stunt performer and actor.
• René Stehle: a Swiss entrepreneur and former board member of several pharmaceutical companies.
• Tiffany Stehle: a former professional women’s basketball player.
• Aline Stehle: a French illustrator who won the winners of category of illustrations of the Prix du Livre Jeunesse InterCeltique in 2013.
• Henry Stehle: a mining engineer and one of the founders of the “Elephant Boys” gold prospecting expedition in northern Saskatchewan in 1909-1910.
• Jim Stehle: an American photographer and the founder/editor of the photographic magazine Shutterbug.
• Cilly Stehle: an Austrian actress who was voted the greatest Austrian actress of all time by the readers of the newspaper “Die Presse” in 2010.
• Heinrich Stehle: a German politician who served as the mayor of Neustadt an der Weinstraße from 1973 to 2001.

Other surnames

StehlStehliStehlinStehly