Surname Ohlerich - Meaning and Origin
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Ohlerich: What does the surname Ohlerich mean?
The surname Ohlerich is of German origin, coming from two words - ohl for ‘hill’, and rich for ‘ruler’. It is interpreted as someone who was the ruler of a hill or a nobleman from the hills. In German, the name was also spelled Olereich, Holerich, Ohlrich and Hollerich.
From a historical point of view, one of the earliest recorded uses of the surname is from 1397, when Johann Ohlerich bought a house in Kneblingen. In the 18th century it became more widespread due to globalization and immigration.
It’s likely that the original interpretation of the name has stayed with the family since its inception. Therefore, it stands that the current generation of Ohlerichs are descendants of an ancient noble or ruling family, who had their home in the hills.
Today, the surname is still common in Germany, especially in rural Bavarian villages. It’s also found in other countries, such as the United States, Hungary, Israel, and Canada. The name is still associated with nobility, character, and strength of character, and those carrying it tend to uphold these values in their daily life.
Order DNA origin analysisOhlerich: Where does the name Ohlerich come from?
The last name Ohlerich is most commonly associated with German and Swiss ancestry, and remains popular in areas where German and Swiss populations have lived for centuries, such as southern Germany, Bavaria, Switzerland, Austria, and parts of northern Italy. The name is still strong in German-speaking countries, and can be found in larger cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In the United States, many Ohlerichs have emigrated from Germany and Austria to places like Pennsylvania, California, and Wisconsin. German immigration into the US peaked in the 1800s and brought many Ohlers with it. Others have become prominent in the engineering industries, perhaps due to the scientifically minded nature of many Germans.
In recent years, the last name Ohlerich has also been adopted by adopted children and spouses of people who have married into the name. Such name changes are common as families grow and move.
Ultimately, the last name Ohlerich is a strong presence in many countries and is a reminder of its German and Swiss beginnings. Although it is hard to track the exact number of Ohlerichs worldwide, chances are that most countries will continue to have individuals bearing this unique family name.
Variations of the surname Ohlerich
The surname Ohlerich is of German origin and is mainly found in the north of Germany and in the United States. The variants and spellings of this surname include: Ohler, Ohlermann, Ohlerking, Ohlers, Ohle, Ohlemann, Ole, Olich, Olichmann, Oleking and Olemann.
The variant Ohler, at first, came from a word meaning “person from the Ohel region” in Old German when a person lived in a certain locality. The Old High German word ohel was, in turn, derived from the word ahala, meaning a bend or corner. Thus, the name is local in origin, taken on by those who lived at the corner or bend of a landscape feature or over time by those who came from those places. Today in northern Germany and the German-American community, the surname Ohlerich is mainly derived from the variant of Ohler.
Over time, this surname has been altered due to dialectical differences as well as due to factors such as immigration, making the surname surface in different spellings and variants. This name has been found in a variety of spellings, and some versions include Ohler, Ohle, Ole, Olich and Olichmann.
All of the variants listed above have their roots in the same parental form, Ohlerich. It just has been subject to a few minor changes in spelling over the course of its history, as many surnames have. This surname continues to be common and is mostly found in northern Germany and the United States.
Famous people with the name Ohlerich
- John Ohlerich: professional lookalike for Sylvester Stallone
- Julia Ohlerich: 19th Century early-wave feminist
- Louise Horner Ohlerich: American sculptor
- Justus Ohlerich: German sculptor
- Alexander Ohlerich: German jurist
- Michael Ohlerich: Programmer and games designer
- Martina Ohlerich: German handball player
- Jeanne Ohlerich: French dancer
- Franz Ohlerich: German singer
- Carl Ohlerich: Austrian geologist
- Stefan Ohlerich: German photographer and visual artist
- Einhard Ohlerich: German biologist
- Seetharaman Ohlerich: Indian script writer and TV presenter
- Sylvia Ohlerich: German painter
- Hans Ohlerich: German motion picture and television producer
- Carl Theodor Ohlerich: German actor
- Louis Ohlerich: French painter
- Colin Ohlerich: Canadian Olympic weightlifter
- Mandy Ohlerich: Danish professional tennis player
- Rita Ohlerich: Austrian alpine ski racer