Surname Herrl - Meaning and Origin
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Herrl: What does the surname Herrl mean?
The last name Herrl is a Germanic surname thought to be derived from the Middle High German term “her” meaning army. This is believed to be in reference to the medieval military tradition of providing officers with a 'company' of men known as a "Herrl”.
It is suggested the name could be a variation of the older Latin term for a leader of a group of men which translates to "lord" or "master" and was common amongst a certain class of Germanic citizens at the time.
The surname can be found across Germany and Austria with records of its use dating back to the late 13th century.
Today, it remains a common surname in both countries. Some notable individuals with the surname include German author Johann Herrl von Hofen and Polish composer Jan Herrl.
The meaning of the name is thus believed to refer to familial ties established when men from a community or nation become military officers or their sons and so become "lords" or "masters" of their own company.
Order DNA origin analysisHerrl: Where does the name Herrl come from?
The last name Herrl is most commonly found amongst German/Austrian families today. Herrl is a somewhat rare last name, but is still seen in several German-speaking countries such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is an occupational surname which derived from the German language word ‘Herr,’ meaning master or gentleman.
The Herrl surname originated in Bavaria, one of the 16 states of Germany, during the Middle Ages. Many members of the Herrl family migrated to the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries and settled predominantly in Pennsylvania. Outside of the US, the Herrl last name is still found throughout the German-speaking area of western and central Europe.
In Germany, the Herrl family name is associated mainly with the state of Bavaria. In Austria, it is still found mainly in the Tyrol region. In Switzerland, Herrl can be found in the country’s German-speaking cantons such as Zürich, Aargau, Solothurn and Bern. And in Liechtenstein, it is still found in the rural towns and villages of the Unterland region.
It is estimated that there are roughly a few thousand people in the world today who bear the Herrl last name, with a large majority of them being of German-speaking descent.
Variations of the surname Herrl
The surname Herrl is an anglicised variation of the German surname Herrlein. TheNames.org, the largest website dedicated to the study of genealogy, lists Herrl, Herrlein, Herrill, Harl, Harrl, Harrel, Harrelle, Harrell, Harrelll, Harril and Harrill as the various spellings and variations of the Herrl surname.
In American usage, the surname is most commonly spelled Herrl, although it is also found spelled as Herrell. The Herrl surname is sometimes also found spelled as Hurrell or Harrel, in both American and British usage. Another spelling variant of Herrl found in British usage is Harrill, pronounced /ˈhærəl/.
The Herrl family originally derived from Silesia in Germany, an area now found in Poland. The earliest records go back to 1654, where Johann Herrl is documented in Murau, a market town in the Austrian state of Styria.
The Herrl family played a prominent role in German history. The Herrl family are found in the records of the 1575 Religious Peace of Augsburg, which ended the German Peasants’ War and defined religious rights within the Holy Roman Empire.
Interestingly, the Herrl surname has been adopted by several other families in many countries around the world. It is commonly found in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries.
Today, the Herrl surname is found in many cultures and is a testament to the impact of the Herrl family on history. With so many spelling variations, it offers a unique opportunity to trace the history of one family's journey into modernity.
Famous people with the name Herrl
- Robert Herrl: Robert Herrl is a German hockey player who currently plays for the Augsburger Panther in the DEL.
- Fred Herrl: Fred Herrl was a German engineer and sports official who is known for being the Executive Director of the German Track and Field Association from 1949-1976.
- Wilhelm Herrl: Wilhelm Herrl was a German doctor and settler who immigrated to Chile in the 18th century. He was instrumental in introducing German ideas and language to the region.
- Anna Herrl: Anna Herrl is a German mathematician and educator who is known for her work in mathematical education and for her leadership in numerous international mathematics organisations.
- Wolfgang Herrl: Wolfgang Herrl is a German philosopher and professor at the University of Regensburg. He is known for his research in philosophy of mind and metaphysics.
- Heinrich Herrl: Heinrich Herrl was a German journalist and author who wrote regularly for the Berliner Morgenpost.
- Peter Herrl: Peter Herrl is a German composer and performer known for his collaboration with Chirs Rea and Calexico.
- Frans Herrl: Frans Herrl is a Dutch painter, sculptor and illustrator known for his cubist-inspired artwork.
- Martin Herrl: Martin Herrl was a German actor and director who was a regular presence in some of the early German films.
- Alois Herrl: Alois Herrl was a German soldier and World War I veteran who was awarded the Iron Cross for bravery.