Surname Zähnle - Meaning and Origin
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Zähnle: What does the surname Zähnle mean?
The last name Zähnle is a German surname which can be translated to meaning "tooth". It is thought to originate from a profession related to physical tooth-related work or dental care, such as that of a dentist, dental technician, dental hygienist, or orthodontist. It is uncommon outside of Germany, although there are some variant spellings such as Zahnle, Zahne, Zahnel, or Zahnel.
This surname was likely first adopted as a sign of the individual's profession, and it is thought to be a part of the broader occupational surname tradition in Germany. Common examples of occupational surnames are those used to identify professions such as blacksmiths, millers, tailors, bakers, or shepherds. In the case of Zähnle, it was likely a reflection of a profession that specifically involved teeth or dental work.
The last name Zähnle is also thought to be derived from the Middle High German words zande and zann, which were used to refer to specific roles in the German craft guilds or zunft. The Zahnle was a title often used by members of the dental zunfts of Middle High German, and those working in this guild would have been known by this name.
The last name Zähnle is associated with a number of notable individuals, and there are also numerous places and streets in Germany which bear the name. Understanding the meaning and origin of this German surname can provide an insight into the broader history and impact of dental professions in Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisZähnle: Where does the name Zähnle come from?
The last name Zähnle is a German surname that is most commonly found in the area of Southwestern Germany, particularly in the federal states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden Württemburg. It is believed to have originated from the elements zahn meaning “tooth” and le, meaning either “meadow” or “bard”, making the overall meaning of the surname “toothy meadow”, “toothy bard”, or “bard with a tooth”.
Today, the last name Zähnle is still a very common surname in Southwestern Germany. The most heavily concentrated areas are the cities of Mannheim, Heidelberg, and Stuttgart in Baden Württemburg, and the city of Ludwigshafen am Rhein in Rhineland-Palatinate. The areas around these cities have a high percentage of German citizens who have held the last name Zähnle for many generations.
In addition to being popular amongst the rural German population, the last name “Zähnle” has also spread throughout other countries in Europe, particularly in England, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. These migrations have been responsible for spreading the last name further abroad, with many members of the Zähnle family now living in many other corners of the world.
The Zähnle family crest is most often a red shield charged with three goldflower-like objects which stand for the “toothy meadow” meaning of the name. As the last name remains popular, many members of the Zähnle family today continue to bear the same family crest and use it to identify themselves as members of the Zähnle family.
Variations of the surname Zähnle
The surname Zähnle is a Germanic and Jewish surname that can have several variants and spellings. In the German language, it is pronounced "tsen-lee" and is sometimes spelled as Zahnley, Zahnly, Zahnli, or Zahnley.
The surname originated in the area of Alsace-Lorraine, which is a region of north-eastern France that was once part of Germany. This suggests the ancestral origin of the name may have been German.
In its Jewish variant, the surname is spelt Zehnle or Zehnele. This spelling form is thought to have been derived from a Germanic root meaning "tooth" or "toothed blade". This suggests the original bearer of the name likely worked as a toolmaker or was a metal worker.
The European variation of the surname Zähnle is Zähnle, Zahnle, or Zahnl with the “e” on the end being silent. The American whose ancestors originated in Europe may also find the spelling to be Zahnle, Zaelen, Zahnel, or even Zahlen.
Variations of Zähnle can also be found in other German-speaking regions, such as Austria and Switzerland. The surname is also found in other countries, such as the United States, where it is commonly spelled Zahnley or Zahnly, or the United Kingdom, where it is often spelt as Zahnley.
In short, the surname Zähnle is a Germanic and Jewish surname with many variants and spellings, including Zaehnle, Zahnel, Zahnley, Zahlen, Zahnli, Zahnly, Zehnle, and Zehnele.
Famous people with the name Zähnle
- Franz Xaver Zähnle (1830–1886), German history painter
- Günter Zähnle (born 1945), German footballer
- Jean Zähnle (born 1949), Luxembourgish entrepreneur and liberal politician
- Gilbert Zähnle (born 1954), Luxembourgish philologist, historian, and cultural scientist
- Alois Zähnle (born 1959), German football referee
- Meike Zähnle (born 1979), German handballer
- Dieter Zähnle (1947–1985), German convicted vigilante killer
- Philipp Zähnle (born 1989), German footballer
- Rudolf Zähnle (1910–1962), German politician for the Nazi Party
- Werner Zähnle (1936–2015), German physiologist and physician