Surname Pohl - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling My Surname 'Pohl' Through iGENEA DNA Test - Autobiography Of My Genetic Lineage

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P. Pohl

Pohl: What does the surname Pohl mean?

The surname Pohl is believed to have originated in Germany. It is derived from "Pohle," the word for a pool or small lake, and is believed to have developed during the Middle Ages. As such, the original bearer of the name might have been a man who owned or lived near a pool or small lake.

The Pohl surname can also be found in some other parts of Europe. For instance, in some parts of Poland it derived from the root "Popiel," and in Hungary it evolved from the root "Pulhány" (meaning "Forsythe"). This suggests of Hungarian or West Slavic origins for the family name Pohl.

Today, the surname Pohl is widespread. It can be found in Scandinavian countries, Central and Eastern Europe, and the United States. It is mostly used as a patronymic name, meaning it indicates relation to the father, though sometimes it is used as an occupational name for those who lived near a water pool.

The meaning and origin of the surname Pohl are still unclear, but it’s likely to have had an obvious connection to bodies of water. It’s an interesting common surname that still remains today, testifying to its historical significance.

Pohl: Where does the name Pohl come from?

The last name Pohl is most common in Germany, where it ranks as the 205th most common name in the country. It is also found in many countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.

In the United States, the Pohl last name is much less common. According to the US Census statistics for 2020, it falls outside of the top 2,500 most common last names and is found in only .02% of the population. Most of the people with this last name living in the US are likely to be of German descent, as immigrants from Germany, Austria, and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe have been coming to the United States since the late 19th century.

Though Pohl is not a especially common surname in the United States, it is still found in some regions including Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin. These states have the highest concentrations of Pohl in the US, and the name likely has its roots here due to the German immigrants settling in these states.

In addition, Pohl is common in Canada, ranking 239th amongst last names there. Canada also has a large German-speaking population, likely stemming mostly from late 19th- and early 20th-century immigrants.

Overall, the last name Pohl is most prevalent in Germany, but is also commonly found in many Central and Eastern European countries, as well as in the United States and Canada.

Variations of the surname Pohl

The surname Pohl is a German form of the surname “Poll”, and is a topographical name for someone who lives near a small pond or pool. Historically, the surname Pohl was most common in the areas of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Variants of the name Pohl include Kohl, Pohle, Poel, Poell, Pole, Pol, Povl, Puhl, Puuhl and Puvel. Commonly-used alternative spellings include Pohland, Pohel, Poleh, Poll, Pooel and Puhl.

The surname Pohl is also commonly found as a variant of multiple other surnames of differing origins. Some of these surnames are also found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, such as Bol and Beil. Other German variants of Pohl include Behl and Bohl. The German form of the name “Poll” is usually transcribed as “Pohl” in records in other countries, such as the United States.

Pohl is also a variant of the Dutch surname Pool, which is found in the Netherlands and the US. In France, the variants Paull and Paul are derived from the Latin name “Paulus”, which is also found in Germany.

Various other variants of Pohl can be found in different parts of the world, such as Potl from Finland, the Russian surname Povolotski, Povolo from Italy and Povoas from Portugal. The Spanish surname Palau can also be derived from the surname Pohl.

Famous people with the name Pohl

• Frederik Pohl: Science fiction writer and editor best known for his Hugo Award-winning novels The Space Merchants and Gateway.
• Fred Pohl: Brother of Frederik Pohl, noted science fiction author, editor, and agent.
• Bob Pohl: Musician and producer who worked with Guns N' Roses and Led Zeppelin.
• Gerhard Pohl: Olympic rower and member of the German Resistance during WWII.
• Erik Pohl: Former Soccer goalkeeper and staff member of ESPA academic advisors.
• Steve Pohl: Jazz saxophonist and member of the Steve Pohlman Trio.
• Mary Pohl: Award-winning children's author, best known for her books The Housewife's Handbook and Mary and the Diamonds.
• Charles Pohl: Historian, author, and professor of Latin American History.
• John Pohl: Professional ice hockey player who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings.
• Doug Pohl: Professional tennis player who competed on the ATP Tour in the 1970s.

Other surnames

PohPohePöheimPohlackPohlchristophPohlhansPohlkampPohlkemperPohlkottePohlkötterPohlscheidPohlscheidtPohlschmidtPohlschneiderPohlschröderPohlschroederPöhmPohnPoholkaPoht