Surname Stehli - Meaning and Origin
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Stehli: What does the surname Stehli mean?
The last name Stehli is of German origin and is believed to be a variation of the name Stahli. Originating from the medieval storehouse town of Stahren or Stahle, located near modern day Switzerland, the last name is thought to refer to someone either living in or near the town itself.
The word Stehli is also derived from the German words "stellen," which translates as "to stand," or "stellort" which can mean "location". It is likely that those who had the last name adopted it as an indicator of their family's origin.
The Stehli family was first found in Switzerland's Grisons province, where they became a noble family of great influence. In 1490, members of the Stehli family were listed among Switzerland's upper class, and the family acquired their own coat of arms, featuring a strip of three red roses on a blue background.
The Stehli surname went on to spread throughout Europe, with branches in Austria, Germany, France, England, and the United States. Today, members of the Stehli family are still found in many parts of Europe, as well as the United States, and the family's legacy continues to flourish.
Order DNA origin analysisStehli: Where does the name Stehli come from?
The last name Stehli is still quite common today, primarily in German-speaking countries. The majority of people with this surname are centered around Switzerland, though they can be found in several other European countries, particularly Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
The surname originated in England, where it was derived from the personal name Stephen. Over the centuries, Stehli moved with descendants to various other parts of the world, including Germany and Switzerland. It is believed to have been one of the Swiss surnames added to the Swiss registry in 1585.
In Switzerland, the name is most common in Zurich, Bern, and Aargau. Outside of Switzerland, the name is most commonly found in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse in Germany. In Austria, it is primarily concentrated in Styria and Carinthia.
The first recorded spelling of the name was in the 13th century, when Willelmus Stephen was recorded in the Rolls of the County of Essex in England.
Variations of the surname Stehli
The Stehli surname is an uncommon Swiss family name, with origins in the canton of Zurich. It is also sometimes spelled as Staehli or Stöhli. It is derived from the Middle High German word “stöhle”, meaning “a tree trunk”.
Variants of the name can be found in several countries, such as Stehli in Switzerland, Stöhli in Germany, Stehly in the United States, and Stahly in Canada. However, these variants are not always interchangeable. In some cases, a spelling variant may identify a different family line from the original Stehli.
In Switzerland, Stehli is most common in the canton of Zurich, while Stöhli is prevalent in Switzerland’s Bern canton. In the United States, Stehly is the most common spelling, and is mostly found in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Ohio.
In Germany, Stöhli is a common spelling and can be traced to the Bavarian town of Weichstetten and its surrounding area. In Canada, Stahly is a more common variant, and can be found mostly in Manitoba and British Columbia.
The Stehli surname can also be traced to other surnames of the same origin. Variants of the original Stehli surname are Staehli, Stalhli, Steinhli, Stohli, and Stuhli. All of these surnames can be linked back to the original Stehli family line.
Thus, the Stehli surname has multiple spellings and variants in various countries, as well as a few related surnames. Ultimately, they can all be traced back to the original Stehli family line.
Famous people with the name Stehli
- Bob Stehli: American actor, best known for his performances on stage in both New York and London, appearing in productions such as My Fair Lady, An American in Paris, and Camelot
- John S. Stehli: a former U.S. diplomat and Akron, Ohio’s Democratic leader
- Todd Stehli: a former professional American football player who played for the Denver Broncos from 1972 to 1976
- Hermann Stehli: an Austrian field hockey player who won the silver medal at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm
- Henrik Stehli: a Swedish ice hockey player, who competed in the 1912 and 1920 Summer Olympics
- John Stehli: a professional golfer, who became famous as the champion of the PGA Championship in 1923
- August Stehli: a Swiss-born American photographer, active in New York City in the early and mid-20th century
- Tama Janowitz: a novelist, short story writer and performer, the daughter of Emmett Stehli
- Emmett Stehli: a Swiss-born engineer, inventor and scientist, known for his work in optical and medical instrumentation 10. Elisabeth Stehli: a contemporary art historian, author and critic, and professor emerita at Yale School of Art