Surname Loethe - Meaning and Origin

Loethe: What does the surname Loethe mean?

The last name Loethe is of Germanic origin, although there are a variety of interpretations of its meaning. Loethe is likely derived from two Germanic words, lode, which means "people", and thie, meaning "race, nation or people". In some instances, the name Loethe has been interpreted to mean "glory", which implies honor or success. It could also refer to a family descended from a common ancestor with a similar name.

In Germany, the spelling Loethe is most commonly found in the southern state of Bavaria. During the Middle Ages, the Loethe surname was associated with farming or living in the country. Later, during the Industrial Revolution, many people bearing the surname Loethe moved to industrialized cities. It is believed that the Loethe surname took root in the German states of Bavaria and Prussia.

Today, the Loethe surname can be found scattered across northern Europe, in countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, and to a lesser extent, many other parts of the world. Although the exact meaning of the surname still remains somewhat of a mystery, it is still a very common last name rooted in German heritage.

Loethe: Where does the name Loethe come from?

The last name “Loethe” is most commonly found today in the United States—specifically, in the states of Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York. In the United States, the highest concentration of people with the last name “Loethe”—about 4,000 individuals, according to US Census Bureau data—is in Pennsylvania, where the last name is ranked 1,279th most common.

In Florida, where there are nearly 2,000 individuals registered with this last name, it is the 1841st most common, and in New York, where the population of individuals with the last name “Loethe” is roughly 1,500, it is the 1373rd most popular surname.

Outside the United States, “Loethe” is most commonly found in Germany, where approximately 4,600 individuals with this name have been registered with the government. In Germany, the last name is ranked 658th in terms of population.

In countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, and South Africa, the surname “Loethe” is not as common; the population of individuals with this last name forms a very small percentage in these countries.

Overall, it is estimated that there are approximately 13,000-14,000 individuals with the last name “Loethe” around the world.

Variations of the surname Loethe

The surname Loethe is one of the many variations of the "Löwe" (German for "Lion") surname that descended from German nobility. Loethe is the most popular anglicized version of the surname, while others include Loeh, Leh, Lohe, Lowe, Lohewe, Löhe, Loh and Louwe.

Loethe is mainly found as a German surname and is believed to have migrated from an Old German origin in the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the German family of "Drachen" which can be traced back to Bavaria, Germany.

The Gothic origin of the Loethe surname can be found in medieval German dialects such as the Saxon and Bavarian dialects. The name likely derived from the Germanic word "lawa" which translates to "lion".

The various spelling variants of the Loethe surname come from the modern German alphabet and can be seen in alternative spellings in both the United States and Germany. In the US, the most common alternative to Loethe is Loeh, while in Germany, Lowe and Löhe are also found, amongst other variants.

Additionally, there are many synonyms of the Loethe surname. Variations such as Lewy, Leo and Leon are all synonyms of the Loethe surname, along with Loheit, Lohen and Lohmann, which are also common derivatives of the Loethe surname.

Overall, the Loethe surname is found in many forms and variations, all of which descend from its German origin and the Germanic word "lawa" meaning "lion". The surname is found both in the US and Germany, with numerous spelling and synonym variants, ultimately making the surname common amongst the population of both countries.

Famous people with the name Loethe

• Karl Loethe: German actor and comedian
• Rachel Loethe: American singer, songwriter, and musician
• Wil Loethe: Former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Gustav Loethe: German composer, conductor, and professor
• Rüdiger Loethe: German lawyer and politician
• Bernd Loethe: German actor and producer
• Gustav Heinrich Loethe: German-American theologian
• Max Loethe: German-Brazilian botanist and agronomist
• Dan Loethe: American professional basketball player
• Maria Loethe: Brazilian film director and producer

Other surnames

Loether