Surname Würtl - Meaning and Origin

Würtl: What does the surname Würtl mean?

The last name Würtl or Wurtl is of German and Swiss origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "wurzle" which means twig, or branch. It is believed to have either originated as a nickname for someone with a thin or spindly frame or for someone who was a forester, gardener, or a joiner by trade.

The name was likely adopted by a family during the Middle Ages. During this period surnames were often created as a way to indicate a person's rank, occupation or location. Over time, the name was adopted by various other European countries and immigrated to America with the first German settlers during the 17th and 18th century.

Today, the surname Würtl is currently found in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Poland and the United States. Although the spelling of the name has varied slightly over time, it is still a very uncommon name. Due to its rarity, it makes for a unique and distinct surname.

Würtl: Where does the name Würtl come from?

The last name Würtl is most commonly seen in Austria, where it is the 218th most common name. It is particularly popular in the southeastern province of Styria, where it is the 67th most common last name.

The exact origin of the name is not known, but it is believed to have roots in the ancient German word “würde”, meaning “dignity”, and this is reflected in the traditional coat of arms of the Würtl family. It shows a shield with a crown atop an olive branch on one side and a crow and snake on the other side.

The earliest ancestors of the Würtl family in Austria can be traced back to Upper Austria in the late seventeenth century. From there, the family spread out to other parts of Styria, including Graz, Reichenau, Pruggern, and Wolfsberg.

Today, it is still most popular in Styria, but it is also common in other parts of Austria, including Vienna and Salzburg, as well as in parts of Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

Although the name is no longer as common as it once was, it still has great significance in its home countries, with many contemporary Würtl families proudly displaying its traditional coat of arms and keeping its history alive.

Variations of the surname Würtl

The surname Würtl is a variant of the German surname Würtle or Würtell with its variants spelled as Würtele or Würtehl. The surname also has regional variants and spelling variations, which include Würtlein, Würtleins, Wertle, Wertlein or Wertl, Wertlin, Wirtle and Wirtl as alternate spellings.

The surname is most likely be of local or topographical origin, derived from words referring to a person who lived near a shrub or hedge or denoted a protector of a hedge. The surname may also have been derived from the word Würzburg, which is an old city in Bavaria.

The earliest recorded use of the surname was Henricus dictus Wurtele, who was a witness of a document in Schwäbisch Hall (Swabia) in the year 1226. The name then made its way to Austria in the 14th century as Würtell, where it was also first recorded in 1226 in Styria.

In the 16th century, the name travelled to Germany in the form of Würtle and West Prussia as Wirtle. During that time, the name spread to Wurtemberg, Switzerland, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire region in the form of Würtlein. In the 17th century, it was brought to the US by several Bavarian settlers, with the spelling of Wirtle.

The surname can also be found in Italy under the spelling of Wirtl, and in England and Ireland under the spelling of Wortle or Wortley. The last name is also popular in Poland under the name of Wertl or Wertel.

Famous people with the name Würtl

• Rupert Würtl: a German contemporary artist who has exhibited internationally and is known for his abstract landscape paintings.
• Florian Würtl: an Austrian artist specializing in abstract expressionism and figurative landscape painting.
• Teresa Würtl: a German television presenter and author who was a key member of the "Die Fanta 4" rap group.
• Michael Würtl: a former Austrian professional tennis player who won two singles and four double titles on the ATP Tour circuit.
• Franz Würtl: an Austrian opera singer, academic vocal teacher, and composer specializing in classical music.
• Friedrich Würtl: a German sculptor best known for his bronze and marble statues depicting classical subject matter.
• Josef Würtl: an Austrian visual artist who is renowned for his oil paintings and pastels.
• Ludwig Würtl: an Austrian actor known for his roles in stage plays and television series.
• Carl Würtl: an Austrian artist and poet who was an early pioneer of modern art in Vienna during the early 20th century.
• Karl Würtl: a German actor and writer who was a member of the legendary UFA studio, appearing in numerous films from the period.

Other surnames

WürtleWürtlein