Surname Ortlof - Meaning and Origin

Ortlof: What does the surname Ortlof mean?

The last name Ortlof is of German origin and means "from the eagle forest." It is derived from an occupational name, which was given to someone who lived and worked near a forest where eagles were found. The surname Ortlof is also derived from a place most likely located near an eagle forest.

The earliest known bearer of the name was a person recorded as Otlob c. 1150 in the ancient records of Cologne, Germany. The name appears in records throughout much of Germany throughout the Middle Ages. The name was used in records of the Palatinate in the 16th century and also spread into other countries such as Denmark and Norway. The name may also be found in records of England, where there are several individuals recorded as "Ortloff" during the 16th century.

The name Ortlof has generally been common throughout Germany, Scandinavia, and other countries of northern Europe, however today the name is not as common in the English-speaking world as it once was. It is a name used for those with German roots and may be found in records of the United States due to people with Germanic ancestry. The name is still found in Germany today, however it is not as common in other locations.

Ortlof: Where does the name Ortlof come from?

The last name Ortlof is commonly found today in many different countries and regions. In Germany, it is most commonly located in the North Rhine-Westphalia region. In Switzerland, the name is primarily found in Bern and Zurich. The name is also found in the Czech Republic, mostly in the areas of Central and South Bohemia. In Austria, it is primarily located in the area of Styria. The name is also found in the USA, particularly in Ohio, Michigan, and California.

In Sweden, the name is quite rare compared to other places. The few places where it is found are primarily around the northern part of the country as well as some isolated spots in the Stockholm area. It’s possible that some people with this name may have migrated into the country in the past couple of generations.

In Canada the name is most commonly located in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. It appears that some people with the surname Ortlof have migrated to Canada in recent years, as the number of individuals with this name has increased significantly in these provinces since the start of the 21st century.

Overall, the Ortlof surname is most commonly located in German-speaking areas, but it can also be found in a few other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Ortlof

The surname Ortlof is one that has been used by families throughout Europe for centuries. It is thought to have originated from Germany and derived from the Low German word "or-tlo" which means "branch". This name has gone through a number of spelling variations over the centuries, although the most common are Ortolf, Ortloft, Ortolfe, Ortloff, Ortlopf, Orttelof and Orttloff.

Traditionally, it has been most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands, although Ortlofs have been found in other parts of Europe, such as the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. It is also known to have been used by some families in the United States of America and Canada.

In addition to the above variations, the name has sometimes been adopted by families who have emigrated to different countries. It is therefore very likely that the surname has had many variations due to the fact that local languages and spellings have been used. For example, it is not uncommon to find the name written as Ortelef or Orthloff in countries such as the United Kingdom. In the United States, the name has sometimes appeared as Ortlef.

Despite these variations, ortlof has remained a common surname throughout centuries of global migration. It is a testament to the strength and endurance of a name that is so closely linked to the history of many families.

Famous people with the name Ortlof

• Axel Ortloff: Former German rower
• Johann Ortloff: Former East German alpine skier
• Robert Ortloff: Voice actor and singer known for voice roles in German dubs of Disney's films
• Benedikt Ortloff: German mathematician, physicist and astronomer
• Maike Ortloff: German Olympic swimmer
• Robin Ortloff: American actor and screenwriter
• Taylor Ortloff: American diver
• Kirsten Ortloff: German film and television editor
• Dennis Ortloff: German ice hockey player
• Ronald Ortloff: German footballer

Other surnames

Ortloff