Surname Sohl - Meaning and Origin
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Sohl: What does the surname Sohl mean?
The surname Sohl is of German origin and is primarily found in Europe, specifically within the regions of Germany and Denmark. The meaning of the name is somewhat ambiguous as it can have different interpretations based on regional dialects, historical context, and spellings. However, one of the commonly accepted meanings is that "Sohl" derives from the Middle High German word "sol," which means "sole" in English. In this context, the name could possibly refer to someone who made or sold shoes or to someone who was characterized by a distinctive sole or footing. It is important to remember that surname meanings can evolve over time and assume different significances in different cultures and regions. As with many surnames, it also might be associated with a specific geographic location or profession of the family's ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisSohl: Where does the name Sohl come from?
The last name Sohl is most commonly found in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 540 people in the United States are currently using the name Sohl, making it considerably rare. It is most heavily concentrated in the southern states of Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. The highest concentration of people with the last name Sohl is found in the Texas cities of Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
The name Sohl may also be found in Germany, as it is relatively common there. In the 2020 census, the last name Sohl was among the top 2,000 surnames recorded in Germany—ranking at 1518. Further research has suggested the name originated in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, which is believed to be why it is found in Texas today.
The Sohl family appears to have migrated from Germany to the United States in the late 1800s. It is thought that a group of Sohl family members went through Ellis Island and settled in the south.
Overall, the last name Sohl is relatively rare today, most commonly found in the United States in the southern states and Germany. It is believed that the family roots trace back to Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, and that the family made its way to the United States in the late 1800s.
Variations of the surname Sohl
The surname Sohl is of Germanic origin and is derived from the Old High German word "sohel" which means bold or brave. It is more commonly found in Germany and Northern Europe, and may be found under various spellings and variants such as Soehl, Sehl, Söhl, Sohl, Soel, Söel, Seel and Söel.
In North Germanic countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Finland, the surname is commonly found as Söhl or Söel, and in the Scandinavian Scandinavian language it is spelled as Söhl and Söel.
People with the surname Sohl may have originated from either the Rhineland-Palatinate region in Germany, or the Silesia region in the Czech Republic.
In the United States and Canada, Sohl and its variants are most commonly found in areas with a large concentration of German-speaking immigrants.
In England, the surnames Seel, Söhl, Sehl and Soehl are commonly found.
In France, the common spelling for Sohl is Soel.
In Austria, Spain and Portugal the surname is found under the spelling Söhl, while in Italian-speaking countries it is spelled Söel.
Variants of the surname can also be found in other countries such as Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, India, Greece, South Africa, and Australia.
Famous people with the name Sohl
- Jeff Sohl; former ice hockey goaltender and current assistant coach of the New Hampshire Wildcats.
- Gary Sohl; edit producer and post-production supervisor who has won numerous Emmy Awards for his work in TV.
- Jeff Sohl; former third-baseman for the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators.
- Richard Sohl; founding member of the rock band Patti Smith Group and songwriter of 'Because the Night'.
- Allie Sohl; dialect coach for the HBO series 'Game of Thrones'.
- Philip Sohl; pioneering doctor of internal medicine and first medical director of the Westchester County Medical Center.
- Rebecca Sohl; Israeli-born actress best known for her roles in 'The Wannabe' and 'Homeland'.
- Bernie Sohl; prominent jazz drummer who is renowned for his work with such artists as Duke Ellington and Ray Charles.
- Charles Sohl; American Radiator Company executive and philanthropist.
- Bill Sohl; second generation owner of the Edwin Sohl Strapping Company in New Jersey.