Surname Ditterle - Meaning and Origin
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Ditterle: What does the surname Ditterle mean?
The surname Ditterle is of German origin, derived from the medieval given name Diether, a form of Dietric, itself deriving from the Germanic elements ‘theud’ meaning people and ‘heri’ meaning army, warrior. This can be translated to mean “army ruler” or “ruler of the people”. The Ditterle surname is thought to have first appeared in the 12th to 13th Centuries in Bavaria, in particular in the village of Dittersdorf.
The German word for doing something small is “ditteren” - this is thought to have been the source of the name. Over time, the surname Ditterle has evolved to take on various spellings, including Dittler, Dittrich, Dittler, Dittrich, Ditter, and Dittmann. As the name was mainly given to those of note in the communities with their own importance it therefore tends to be more concentrated in Bavaria.
Today, many families of the Ditterle surname can be found in Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe. Those of the Ditterle surname are very proud of their cultural heritage and are often very proud to carry on the name in some form or another today.
Order DNA origin analysisDitterle: Where does the name Ditterle come from?
Ditterle is a surname most commonly found in Germany today. It is most highly concentrated in the two German states of Rheinland-Pfalz and Nordrhein-Westfalen. The surname can also be seen in Austria and Switzerland.
The origin of Ditterle is debated, however it is most likely derived from the German—"ditt," meaning "thick," and "-erle," meaning "little." Still, other sources suggest it could be related to the region of Dittelsheim in the Hesse state of Germany.
Historically, Ditterle families have been predominantly Catholic and trace their roots back to the area around Frankfurt on the Main River. It is also suggested that due to the socio-economic stability that Ditterles enjoyed throughout the centuries, many large cities in Germany now contain larger populations of the Ditterle surname.
Presently, there are several communities in the country with significant populations of Ditterle families, including Heidelberg, Mannheim, Mainz, Karlsruhe, Offenburg, Worms, and Ludwigshafen am Rhein. For anyone looking to find Ditterles in the country today, these cities and the nearby communities of each make great starting points.
Variations of the surname Ditterle
The surname Ditterle is believed to have originated from Germany, and as such is spelled in various ways across a variety of languages, including Di(e)ttel, Dittel, Dittler, Ditler, Dittling, Tittel, Titel, Tittling and Titling.
The surname Ditterle is most commonly associated with the German-speaking regions of Europe. In Germany, many experts agree that the spelling of Ditterle is the most common, but alternate spellings of the surname, such as Dittel and Dittling, do also appear on records. The Y-chromosome DNA evidence suggests that the surname Ditterle is related to similar surnames, such as Dittel, Dittler, Titel, Tittel, and Tittling.
In Austria, the surname Ditterle is often seen spelled as Di(e)ttel, while German-speaking Swiss families may spell it as Dittel or Dittling. In South Tyrol, Italy, the surname Ditterle is spelled as Dittel.
Families that have emigrated to other countries, such as to North America or Australia, have often adopted variant spellings of the surname, such as Dital or Dietle and various alternatives. In addition, some families have adopted the variant spelling of the surname's original pronunciation, i.e., Dittler or Dyttle.
The surname Ditterle can also be found in many other parts of the world, including countries all over Europe in addition to places like South America and Asia. Regardless of the spelling — Ditterle, Dittel, and any of the other variants — it is all believed to originate from the same source.
Famous people with the name Ditterle
- Dr. Rachel Ditterle: Emmy-winning film composer specializing in music for documentary and documentary-style films.
- Dan Ditterle: Famous real estate investor, entrepreneur, and business executive.
- Kristina Ditterle: Professional rally driver and winner of the German Rally Championship.
- Terry Ditterle: Professional mountain bike racer and record holder in the 100-mile (160 km) event.
- Alan Ditterle: Award-winning jazz saxophonist and composer.
- Giselle Ditterle: Renowned equestrian and founder of the Ditterle Racing Stables.
- Clement Ditterle: Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and author of the culinary bible Cuisine de Chefs.
- Erik Ditterle: Award-winning filmmaker and environmental activist.
- Kenny Ditterle: Professional wrestler and two-time World Championship holder.
- Pete Ditterle: Country singer and songwriter. He is known for his classic country sound.