Surname Eberli - Meaning and Origin
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Eberli: What does the surname Eberli mean?
The last name Eberli is of Swiss-German origin and is believed to have first appeared as a surname in the eastern Swiss canton of St. Gallen in the early 1800s. The name comes from either the Swiss-German word eber, meaning “boar,” or eberle, meaning “little boar.” Thus, the name could either refer to a boar-like physical characteristic of one of the original Eberli ancestors or to someone who hunted or kept boars.
As with many Swiss-German surnames, the Eberli surname may also have a spatial origin, indicating someone who lived near or worked on a boar-filled area, or a place-based origin, indicating a family who had a homestead named after something relating to boars.
It is also possible that the name may have come from a nickname for a boar-like characteristic, such as having long legs or ferocity or someone named after the boar in a legendary story.
The Eberli surname today is most common in Switzerland, followed by Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. It is not known if the original bearers of the name had any particular lineages or family traditions, but those who carry it today are proud to be part of a long-running Swiss-German family.
Order DNA origin analysisEberli: Where does the name Eberli come from?
The last name Eberli is most commonly found in Switzerland, particularly in the St Gallen Canton in the northeast of the country. According to Swiss genealogy records, it is considered the 44th most popular last name in the country. Those who hold the Eberli name commonly come from German-speaking, traditional, rural parts of Switzerland.
The majority of those with the last name Eberli are farmers, who adhere to traditional values and have deep roots in the respective communities they live. They take pride in keeping traditions alive and are known for their strong sense of family and community. As such, many of those who share the Eberli name have close relationships with one another, often attending reunions and other functions in an effort to strengthen and foster those relationships.
In addition to Switzerland, those with the last name Eberli can also be found in Germany, Austria, and the United States. Those in the United States often descend from Swiss-German immigrants who left their homeland in search of better opportunities in the New World.
While still very much connected to their families and communities back in Switzerland, those of the Eberli name in the United States have grown to appreciate the cultures and customs of the nation they now call home.
Variations of the surname Eberli
The surname Eberli can be spelled and pronounced in many different ways. Variations include:Eberle, Every, Eebrulee, Ebarli, Ebarley, Ebberley, Everly, Everli, Evirley, Ebreyly, Ebyrly, Eberlee, Eberley, and Eburely.
The origin of the surname Eberli is believed to be derived from a Germanic root meaning “living by water”, with Eberli being an adaptation of the name Éberhard, which was initially used as a personal name before becoming a surname. Many of the variations and spellings of Eberli are derived from this same root.
In addition to the variations on the spelling of the surname Eberli, some other surnames of similar origin include Ebar, Everard, Ebersole, Ebersol, Ebo, Evard, Evarts, and Evatt. All of these surnames are rooted in the same origin, but they have been adapted to different regions or cultures.
The Eberli surname is also popular in some countries in the Near East. In some instances, the spelling might be changed to be more linguistically appropriate in an Arabic dialect, such as Ebrahimi. In this case, the root “eber” is still used but is adapted to fit the phonetic spelling of the language.
No matter how it is spelled or pronounced, the surname Eberli is a reminder of its Germanic origin and has been used across multiple cultures to identify families for centuries.
Famous people with the name Eberli
- Beat Eberli: Swiss football goalkeeper in the Swiss Super League, playing for the Grasshoppers Club Zurich.
- Wally Eberli: American former National Football League football player for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Henri Eberli: Swiss former ski jumper and inventor of the modern ski binding.
- Urs Eberli: Swiss philosopher, professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Bern, and author of numerous articles and books on philosophy.
- Thomas Eberli: Swiss former alpine skier, former World Cup giant slalom and super-G champion.
- André Eberli: Brazilian futsal player, part of the Brazil national futsal team.
- Lukas Eberli: Swiss former professional cyclist, competing in stage races, six-day and time trials.
- Götz Eberli: Swiss former ski jumper in the Swiss Ski Cup, and at the 1984 European Cup.
- Didier Eberli: Swiss former ski racer, who competed for St. Moritz SC in the Swiss Ski League championships.
- Peter Eberli: Swiss former Olympic pole vaulter and former Swiss champion in the event.