Surname Doerfler - Meaning and Origin
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Doerfler: What does the surname Doerfler mean?
The last name Doerfler is of German origin, with the earliest recorded spelling being in the 15th century. It is derived from the German "darfler", meaning "dealer in house wares". The name therefore indicates that the original bearer of the surname was likely a purveyor of domestic goods.
Today, the surname Doerfler can be found primarily in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and a small number of other European countries. It may also be found in a few countries in South America, such as Bolivia and Argentina, as well as in the United States.
The spelling of the name has varied slightly over the centuries, with some of the most common variants in modern times being Dorfler, Dorflers, Dorfer, Dorfflers, Dorfnies, and Dorfs.
In German-speaking countries, individuals bearing the Doerfler name are often seen as helpful, hardworking, and reliable people. This is fitting, given the origin of the name. Though its meaning may have changed slightly throughout the years, the name Doerfler continues to be associated with those qualities that made it so desirable in the first place.
Order DNA origin analysisDoerfler: Where does the name Doerfler come from?
The Doerfler name is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the south around the border of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Doerfler originates from the Middle High German Durfleiß meaning "boy from the doerf" which translates to mean "small rural settlement". It is thought to have come into existence at the time when people began to settle and form communities in the 1500s.
Doerfler is also found in the United States, especially the mid-Atlantic states such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. The Doerfler settlers arrived in the 18th century, and many of the Doerfler names found in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland list the ship as “The Faithful”. Families carrying the Doerfler name were among the very first to settle in the area, with some of the fields they farmed still owned by members of the Doerfler family today.
Doerfler is also prevalent in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. However, Doerfler is very rarely found in other parts of the Netherlands. This particular migration pattern could be down to conscription during World War II, when Dutch men of German heritage were drafted into the German army by the Nazis.
In summary, the Doerfler surname is most commonly found in Germany, the United States, and the Netherlands. It’s believed to have originated as part of basic settlement in the 1500s, although migration patterns can also be seen in the fragmentation of families during World War II.
Variations of the surname Doerfler
Doerfler is a German surname which is derived from the Old German word “dorf” which means “village”. It is also used as a topographic surname that was given to someone who lived near a village, hamlet, or any other small rural settlement in Germany. The variants, spellings, and surnames of Doerfler are numerous.
Variants of Doerfler include Dörfler, Dorfler, Daerfler, Daerflar, Derfler, Derflar, Dürfler, Törfler, Torfler, Toerfler, and Terfler.
Spellings include Duerfler, duerflar, durfler, durflar, dürfler, dürflar, teorfler, terfler, and toerfler.
Surnames of the same origin include Doerfling, Dorfling, Durfling, and Dürfling.
The surname Doerfler may be a variant of the German name Dürfendorfer which means “person living near a village” or it may be derived from the Old German word “torf” which means “peat”, indicating that the original bearer of the name likely lived near a peat bog. It is also sometimes found spelled as Tuersch, Tuerscher, Dorsch, or Dorscher.
In some cases, the surname Doerfler has been Anglicized as Turtle. This name comes from the Old German or Germanic word “turd” which means “wave” or “water”. It is believed to have been given to someone who lived near a body of water or a lake.
Other surnames of the same origin include Dereffer, Drücker, Dürcker, Dörffer, Dörfler, Drüfler, and Treeck.
Famous people with the name Doerfler
- Ryan Doerfler: film composer and multi-instrumentalist.
- Duncan Doerfler: former professional soccer player.
- Ruth Doerfler: US Supreme Court justice who served on the court from 1939 to 1954.
- Aaron Doerfler: German-American soccer player currently playing in the German second division.
- Mark Doerfler: American police chief and former member of the US Secret Service.
- Wilfred Doerfler: American wrestler who competed in the 1924 Olympics.
- Karl Doerfler: Austrian-American inventor and scientist who developed a bullet-resistant vest and the Doerfler-Peterson machine gun.
- Klaus Doerfler: German photography professor known for his unique style of portraiture.
- Steve Doerfler: American sailor who competed in the 1992 Olympics and won a silver medal.
- Julian Doerfler: German physicist and inventor who made contributions to the field of optoelectronics.