Surname Löffl - Meaning and Origin
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Löffl: What does the surname Löffl mean?
The last name Löffl is thought to have originated in Southern Germany. It is believed to be derived from an old German word meaning "curved bowl." This could refer to the name of an object, such as a ladle, or it could also possibly refer to the curved shape of the mountains in the area.
The earliest records of this surname appear in the tax records for the town of Seinsheim in 1576, where it was recorded as Laoffl and Loefl. It is also found in the regions of Upper and Lower Bavaria and in the Bohemian city of Eger. Since then, the Löffl surnames have spread to other parts of Europe, including France, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic.
The Löffl surname is fairly uncommon and is believed to have been derived from one single ancestor. This ancestor may have been somebody who lived in a particular region and was identified by an object or characteristic which was related to that region.
Today, the Löffl surname is still fairly uncommon and can be found in Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and other European countries. Many people carrying the last name Löffl have a strong sense of identity, and there are several social clubs and organizations dedicated to Löffls throughout Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisLöffl: Where does the name Löffl come from?
The last name Löffl is primarily concentrated in the German-speaking countries of Central Europe. Today, the largest populations of people bearing the surname can be found in the north-western states of Germany such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. There are also smaller yet significant Löffl populations in the neighbouring countries of Austria and Switzerland.
The surname, which is a derivative of the German word for ‘spoon’, likely arose in Germany centuries ago as an occupational name for spoon makers and sellers. Over time, it spread to other German-speaking countries and has been carried down to the present day.
Löffl is a relatively rare name even within its region of origin, with the 2019 national census of Germany indicating that there are only approximately 2,000 people with the surname living in the country. Similarly in Austria, the latest figures form the 2017 population census suggest that there are fewer than 350 people with the last name Löffl.
Following the coming of industrialization during the 19th Century, some people with the surname Löffl emigrated to other countries in Europe as well as to the United States and Canada in search of work and better opportunities. As a result, there are today small, scattered populations of Löffls living in countries such as the UK, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Belgium.
Overall, Löffl is considered to be a rather uncommon surname but it still continues to be borne predominantly in the historically German-speaking countries of Central Europe.
Variations of the surname Löffl
The surname Löffl is of German origin and the variants, spellings and surnames for this surname hint to its various regional roots.
In its most common spelling, Löffl, this surname is derived from the Middle High German personal name Löbi. This personal name has also given rise to various regional variants such as Loefel, Loefl, Lofl, Loffl, Loffel, Loffle and Loffler.
In its most original version, the surname Löffl is most strongly associated with the Rhineland. The regional variants of Löffl include Löffel, Löffler, Löfl, Löfel and Löfeler.
The more common spelling of Löffl has seen a few other spellings evolve over time, including Leffel, Leffeler, Leffler, Lieffeler and Lieffler.
In addition, the surname Löffl has also developed a number of surnames with similar meanings, such as Löffling, Löffelmann, Löffelmeyer, Löffelmacher and Löffelbein.
In sum, the surname Löffl has seen a wide array of regional and linguistic variants, spellings and surnames that are all derived from the same name. Whether spelled Löffl, Loefel, Loefl, Lofl, Loffel, Loffle or Loffler, each variant of this surname hints to its wider heritage.
Famous people with the name Löffl
- German professional football player, Simon Löffel
- Swiss cyclist and Olympic bronze medalist, Robert Löffel
- German actor and director, Michael Löffl
- Austrian philosopher and Professor Emeritus, Hans Löffl
- American pro-wrestler and actor, Rocco Löffl
- Austrian composer and conductor, Werner Löffl
- German translator and writer, Margarethe Löffl
- Austrian verdian singer, Aloisia Löffl
- German painter, Adolf Löffl
- American television producer and director, Rich Löffl