Surname Wöhrlin - Meaning and Origin
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Wöhrlin: What does the surname Wöhrlin mean?
The last name Wöhrlin is an occupational or toponymic, meaning it is derived from a place of origin or from an old job title. The Wöhrlin surname is German in origin and it is most often spelled with the umlaut over the "o." The surname first arose in the Middle Ages, when the family was located in the village of Wöhrlin near Neresheim in the German region of Württemberg. The earliest known member of the family is believed to have been Winebert Wöhrlin, who lived in the 1120s.
The origin of the surname is believed to come from old German words meaning "guard" or "watchman." This reflects the occupation of many members of the family, who were employed as watchmen and security guards in the local region during the late Middle Ages. The Wöhrlin family also likely served as caretakers and farmers of the noble families in and around Wöhrlin.
Throughout the centuries, the family has spread out across Europe and the United States. There are still members of the Wöhrlin family living in Wöhrlin and in other parts of Germany, but many have also spread to other countries, including the United States.
Today, the Wöhrlin surname is not particularly common, though it still carries the same meaning it did centuries ago: a watchman or guard. Those with the Wöhrlin surname are likely to trace their lineage back to the village of Wöhrlin and the Neresheim region of Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisWöhrlin: Where does the name Wöhrlin come from?
The last name Wöhrlin is most common in Germany and Austria. It is an old Germanic name, and the first recorded use of it dates back to around 13th century Germany. The name is derived from a combination of the words 'wer' and 'lin' which mean "army" and "enclosure" respectively.
The majority of current Wöhrlins are found in Germany, with more than 4,000 individuals recorded as bearing this name in the 2020 German census. It is also present in certain neighboring countries, although in lower numbers. In Austria, the last name Wöhrlin is recorded more than 275 individuals in the most recent census. It is present in other European countries, including Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
It is also found in the United States. The first wave of immigration from German-speaking countries began in the early 1800s, and by 1940 more than 15,000 people with the last name Wöhrlin had immigrated to America. Today, the name is present in virtually every state in the U.S., although it is most concentrated in New York and California.
There are even a few individuals with the last name Wöhrlin outside of Europe and the United States, including parts of Canada, Australia, and elsewhere.
Overall, the last name Wöhrlin is present in many countries, but most commonly associated with Germany and Austria. It has a long-standing history and remains a popular surname today.
Variations of the surname Wöhrlin
The surname Wöhrlin is an Ashkenazic Jewish name of German origin. It is derived from the German surname Wöhrle, which is derived from the Proto-Germanic term “werly,” meaning “enemy”.
Variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin for Wöhrlin include:
Woehrlin: This variant is commonly used in Germany.
Werlein: This variant is commonly used in the United States.
Voehrlein: This variant is primarily found in Germany.
Werlin: This variant is common in Germany and Austria.
Voehrlin: This variant is commonly used in Switzerland.
Worline: This variant is primarily used in the United States.
Whorl: This variant is primarily found in Britain and Ireland.
Wehrle: This is the most common spelling of the surname outside of Germany. It is also found in Austria, the United States, and Switzerland.
Werl: This variant is mainly used in Germany and Austria.
Werling: This variant is primarily found in Germany and the United States.
Woerle: This is the most common spelling of the surname in the United States.
Vöhrlin: This variant is mainly used in Germany and Switzerland.
Famous people with the name Wöhrlin
- Paul Wöhrlin: Paul Wöhrlin was a Swiss philosopher and novelist of the 18th century. His works include "The Christian's Idea of Death and Eternity" and "A Picture of Life and Happiness".
- Raban Wöhrlin: Raban Wöhrlin was a Swiss poet and dramatist from the 17th century. He wrote numerous works, including a satirical play, "The Battle of the Fates".
- Friedrich Wöhrlin: Friedrich Wöhrlin was a German painter and sculptor from the 18th century. He is renowned for his portrait busts of prominent figures of the Enlightenment.
- Adolf Wöhrlin: Adolf Wöhrlin was a German painter and engraver from the 19th century. His artworks were primarily landscape and seascape compositions.
- Wolfgang Wöhrlin: Wolfgang Wöhrlin was a freshwater ecologist and antimycological researcher from the 20th century. He is best known for his studies of microorganisms’ interactions with aquatic ecosystems.
- Olivia Wöhrlin: Olivia Wöhrlin is a fashion model and author from Germany. She is the winner of the Elite Model Look 2020 and is known for her focus on sustainability in the fashion industry.