Surname Ehler - Meaning and Origin
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Ehler: What does the surname Ehler mean?
The last name Ehler is a Germanic surname, derived from the old Germanic word "Ehle". This word likely originates from the old illegible Germanic dialects, meaning “plains” or “flatlands”.
Over the centuries, this last name has found its way to other countries such as the United States, where it primarily appears among the German-American population. The Ehler surname is most likely an occupational name, with the surname being most frequently associated with those who lived and worked near open fields and grasslands.
It is also possible that the Ehler surname was taken by families seeking to differentiate themselves from other families with a similar pronunciation but a different spelling of their last name. In these cases, the Ehler surname was adopted by families due to the fact that the sound of the surname better reflects the values of the family.
Today, the Ehler last name is seen throughout the United States, as well as in many other countries where German immigrants made new homes for themselves. Though the last name may no longer hold any occupational indication, it still continues to offer insight into the ancestral homeland, values, and possibly the life of those who first bore it.
Order DNA origin analysisEhler: Where does the name Ehler come from?
The last name Ehler is most common in Germany today, especially in the states of Bavaria, Berlin, Saxony, Lower Saxony, Hesse, Thüringen, and North Rhine-Westphalia. According to a 2019 survey compiled by the Institute of German Language and Regional Research in Tübingen, Germany, Ehler was the 23rd most common surname in the country, with approximately 40,000 known citizens.
The Ehler family history dates back to Middle Ages in Germany, where their ancestors would have become established as either a noble family or a farmer in small village settlements. The German word “Ehr” or “Ehren” is related to this name, which could be translated as “honesty” or “uprightness”.
Outside of Germany, Ehler is also a common surname in Switzerland, Austria, and Lithuania. This name is derived from the personal name Adolf or Ehrhard, which were popular in Medieval Germany. The earliest known records of the family name Ehlers can be traced back to the region of Hanover in Germany, where the line was well established during the 12th century.
In more recent years, immigration data has seen the highest concentration of people with the Ehler surname move to the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, and Australia.
Today, many citizens from around the world with the last name Ehler proudly display their German heritage by joining registered family associations. These associations provide comprehensive archives and host events such as family reunions, so that citizens with the Ehler surname can keep the legacy alive.
Variations of the surname Ehler
The surname Ehler is an occupational surname meaning "one who works with eels" in Old German. It is mainly found in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands. Variants of the surname Ehler include Ahler, Aehlers, Ehrler, Aehler, Eilers, Ehlers, and Ahlers.
The Dutch variants of the surname are Ehlersz, Ehrels, Eheller, Eheler, and Egelers. The German variants are Ahle, Aehle, Aehlemann, Aehler, Aehling, Aehlle, Aehlmann, Ahlers, Ehle, Ehele, Ehlert, and Ehlmann. The second most common variant of Ehler is Ehrler, which is found in Austria, Germany, and South Tyrol, Italy.
Alternate spellings of the surname Ehler are Aehler, Aehlers, Ahlers, Ehlers, Eheler, and Ehrler. Furthermore, some toponymic forms of Ehler could include Ehlersberg (in Germany) and Ehlersheim (in the Netherlands).
Some of the most common surnames of a similar origin with the surname Ehler are Ahl, Aesch, Hegeler, Heil, Helers, Hellers, Helles, Seeler, and Söhle. All of these surnames are derived from the Old German word for “angler”.
In conclusion, the surname Ehler has many variants and spellings, and the variants can be found in various countries and even have corresponding toponymic forms. There is also a number of surnames of a similar origin to Ehler such as Ahl, Aesch, Hegeler, Heil, Helers, Hellers, Helles, Seeler, and Söhle.
Famous people with the name Ehler
- Arnd Ehlers: German entrepreneur and politician, former senator of Lower Saxony
- Alfred Oehlers: German photographer, considered one of the pioneers of photography in Australia
- Gisela Ehlers: German astronomer, discovered a comet
- Christian Ehlers: German politician, currently Member of the European Parliament
- Joachim Ehlers: German physicist, pioneer in the development of quantum field theory
- Lothar Ehlers: German businessman, charitable donor, and music philanthropist
- Eric Ehlers: American cyber security expert, thought leader and speaker
- Erica Ehlers: American politician, Oregon state senator
- Mark Ehlers: American professional ice hockey player
- Gunnar Ehlers: German film director, editor and screenwriter, best known for his digital comic-style films