Surname Vetterlein - Meaning and Origin
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Vetterlein: What does the surname Vetterlein mean?
Vetterlein is a German surname. It is derived from the old Lower German words "Fetler," meaning messenger or runner, and "lein," meaning small. It is thought that the surname originally referred to someone who ran errands, and it became a family name when it was adopted by descendants of errand runners.
Vetterlein is a remarkably old surname and can be found in records going back to the 13th century. Many members of the Vetterlein family were prominent composers and musicians in the early modern period. The most famous family member was Johann Vetterlein, who served as church organist for the Court of Saxony in the 17th century.
The name is still in use today in the German-speaking world, as well as other parts of Europe. Vetterleighs can be found living in many countries, including Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
The meaning behind this name is quite unique. Vetterlein means "little messenger of faith", and it reflects both the rich heritage of the Vetterlein family as well as its members’ commitment to carrying out their tasks well and faithfully.
Order DNA origin analysisVetterlein: Where does the name Vetterlein come from?
The surname Vetterlein is a German name originating in Germany. It is derived from the German word "Vetter" which means "cousin" and "Lein" meaning "little", so it literally translates to "little cousin". Today, the surname is most common in Germany, especially in the south-west and central parts of the country. It can also be found in parts of Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
In 2020, the surname Vetterlein ranked 530 in Germany, making it one of the most common surnames in Germany. People with the last name Vetterlein can also be found in the United States, as a result of German immigrants arriving in America in the 19th century. In the United States, it is most commonly seen in Texas, followed by Missouri and Wisconsin.
People carrying the name Vetterlein also have a strong presence in Canada, Australia, and South Africa. All of these countries were once British colonies, and at one point in time, many German-speaking families moved abroad for a range of different reasons. As such, the Vetterlein surname can be found in all of these countries.
Overall, the Vetterlein surname is relatively widely spread across the world, with the highest concentration of people carrying the name hailing from Germany.
Variations of the surname Vetterlein
The surname Vetterlein is derived from the Old German word "fehtari", which means "defender". The variants of the name, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Faetarle, Vetarle, Vetarlein, Fehtarle, Faitarli, Feitarelli, and Feitarrly.
The spelling Vetarle is a combination of two German words- "Fehtari" and "Le". This creates the meaning of "Diminutive of Fehtari", which is a protector or defender. Petarle is an Anglicized spelling of the German surname, and Faetarle is an alternate spelling of Fehtarle. Vetterlein is the most common current spelling of this surname.
The surname Faitarli is also of German origin and the name becomes an Italianized version when spelled as Feitarelli. As much as Vetarlein, Faitarli is also an alternate spelling of Fehtari. The spelling Feitarrly is also a German surname and it is a combination of two German words- "Fehtari" and "Le". This version means a diminutive of Fehtari; protector or defender.
All the variants listed above have the same origin and all share the same roots of meaning- defender, protector. This is suggestive of a strong family heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Famous people with the name Vetterlein
- Arno Vetterlein: Arno Vetterlein is a German historical researcher and professor of European history at the Heidelberg University. His research focuses on the social and economic history of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the history of European integration.
- Erwin Vetterlein: Erwin Vetterlein was a German gymnast and Olympic gold medalist. He won the gold medal in the men’s team horizontal bar event at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
- Sam Vetterlein: Sam Vetterlein is a German professional ice hockey player. He currently plays for the Eisbaren Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga.
- Amy Vetterlein: Amy Vetterlein is a German singer and songwriter. She has released two albums as part of the German pop duo Kolumbo.
- Mathias Vetterlein: Mathias Vetterlein is a German contemporary figurative painter. His work is heavily influenced by Old Master paintings, and his powerful large-scale portraits often document the lives of contemporary immigrants.
- Sabine Vetterlein: Sabine Vetterlein is a German politician. She is a member of the Landtag of Saxony and a member of the Alliance 90/The Greens. She is the party's spokesperson on child and family policy.