Surname Döhl - Meaning and Origin
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Döhl: What does the surname Döhl mean?
The last name Döhl is of German origin, and is derived from the Germanic element "doh" which means "valley." It is believed that the Döhl family name is occupational in nature, as it is likely to have been adopted by a person who lived and worked in the hills of Germany, thus taking on the label of "valley dweller."
The earliest known record of the surname is from the 16th century, where a Johann Doehl, who was from the small village of Trennfurt, appears in the official registry of the town. Moreover, records reveal that members of the Döhl family lived in several towns in Germany during the 19th and early 20th centuries, and that some later moved to America and other countries.
Today, Döhl is a common surname throughout Europe, especially in Germany, where it ranks as the 568th most common name. It is also likely to be found in the United States and Argentina, as many German immigrants settled in these countries during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The meaning of Döhl is associated with a strong work ethic and a sense of purpose. Those with this surname are seen to value determination and perseverance, as they often reflect the need to survive and prosper in the hills of Germany. In this way, Döhl is a testament to the strength and resilience of the Germanic people.
Order DNA origin analysisDöhl: Where does the name Döhl come from?
Döhl is an German surname and is most commonly found in Germany today. The name originated from the duchy of Oldenburg, as Franz Ehrenfried Döhl was among the first to bear the name in the 1600s. Throughout the following centuries, the name spread across Northern Germany from Accum to various other towns in the area.
Today, the most heavily populated areas where Döhl is most commonly found are the German states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The largest municipality in these regions, Hamburg, is home to quite a few Döhls, largely concentrated in the Eimsbüttel, Altona, and Mitte districts. It is also common in rural towns scattered across the region.
Given its Germanic nature, it's no surprise that Döhl can also be found across Europe in countries such as Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and even the United States. Having said that, however, it still remains predominantly a name associated with Germany.
Other than its geographical prevalence, Döhl is linked to several notable figures in German culture and history. For one, composer and music theorist Andreas-Romberg was a descendant of the founding Döhl family of Oldenburg. The German artist Carl Ernst Döhl even had his work exhibited in 1893 at the legendary Bauhaus school in Weimar.
So in conclusion, Döhl is a last name originating in Northern Germany. It is found today predominantly in the German states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as in other countries across Europe and the United States. Finally, Döhl is linked to several notable figures in German culture and history.
Variations of the surname Döhl
The surname Döhl is derived from the Middle High German word “toehl”, which translates as “bridle” or “halter”. This surname originated in Germany but is now found all over the world.
Variants of the surname Döhl include Doehl, Doehle, Töhl, Töhle, and Tehle. The Dutch-language spelling appears as "Doehl".
In English-speaking countries, the spelling of this surname has been anglicized to Dool, Doole, and Dooley. The Swedish translation is "Döhl".
Surnames stemming from the same origin include Doehler, Tehle, Tehlen, Tehling, Toehle, and Toehlen. Other spellings include Döhle, Tohle, and Tohlen.
Until recent times, the spelling of a surname could be changed depending on the location or country. For example, people with the surname Döhl in England might spell it Dooley or Doole. In Germany, these same people might be known as Döhls or Tehling.
In conclusion, the surname Döhl has many forms, depending on the location, language, and spelling preferences. However, all of these variants and spellings have their origin in the Middle High German word “toehl”.
Famous people with the name Döhl
- Johann Friedrich August Döhl, German Neo-romantic composer
- Feodor Davydovich Döhl, Russian painter
- William Stephen Dohls, American football coach
- Ulf Dietrich Döhl, German TV editor
- Niklas Döhl, German author
- Horst Döhl, German film director
- John Döhl, American historian
- Johann Heinrich Döhl, German poet
- Julius von Döhl, German politician
- Pastor Johann Döhl, German pastor and writer