Surname Uhler - Meaning and Origin
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Uhler: What does the surname Uhler mean?
The last name Uhler is of German origin. While the exact meaning of the term is hard to determine due to regional variations and evolution over time, it is generally believed to have been derived from the Middle High German term “uhler”, meaning "owl". Thus, it was potentially used as a nickname for someone who was perceived as wise or sagacious, just as an owl is often symbolically portrayed. Alternatively, it could have been more concretely referring to someone who worked as a falcon trainer, using owls for hunting. Surnames often originated from professions, nicknames, or locations, offering clues to the individual or family's past. Keep in mind, however, that the interpretation of surnames can be complex and the true meaning may be lost to history.
Order DNA origin analysisUhler: Where does the name Uhler come from?
The last name Uhler is most commonly found in the United States. In 2000, according to the United States Census Bureau, the estimated population of Uhler in the United States was 1,967. The greatest concentration of Uhler is within the states of Pennsylvania (300), New York (184), Ohio (182), and California (168).
In Pennsylvania, the majority of Uhlers live in or around Philadelphia County (118 Uhlers), Northampton (100 Uhlers), and Montgomery County (52 Uhlers). New York has the second highest concentration of Uhlers, with a majority residing in or around Onondaga County (133 Uhlers) and New York City (51 Uhlers). In Ohio, the majority of Uhlers are located in and around Cuyahoga County (106 Uhlers) and Franklin County (68 Uhlers). Lastly, California has the third highest population of Uhlers, with a majority living in Los Angeles County (108 Uhlers) and San Diego County (60 Uhlers).
Although Uhler is a rare surname in the United States, it is possible to trace its origin to the German Ehler family. This is evident through migration records like the passenger lists, which shows the number of Uhlers who immigrated from Germany to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The Uhler population may also be declining due to marriage, as many Uhlers have anglicized their name to sound less German. Regardless of the decrease in population, the Uhler name is still recognizable in the United States, and thus it is likely to remain in the United States for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Uhler
The surname Uhler is a German, Swiss and Dutch family name. It may also be spelled Uehler, Uehle, Uhle, Uller, Uhler und Ullre.
In German, the name Uhler is derived from the words "Uhl" which means Owl, or "uhel", meaning "strange." This could be either an occupational name for an owl hunter, or a nickname for someone with a strange or wise nature.
In Switzerland, the variant spelling Uehler is thought to have originated from a specific place in the Swabian-Alemannic dialectic area of Germany in the early 1700s, and may reference someone from this particular place.
The Dutch surname Uehle is found in various parts of the Netherlands and dates back to the mid-1400s. It is an occupational surname, likely for a carpenter or tree-feller, as Uehle is derived from the Middle Dutch word "uwen" meaning "axe."
The variants Uhle, Uller and Ullre are found primarily in the German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and all have similar meanings, likely derived from the Middle High German word "uol" which means "hornless."
No matter the origin, all variants of the surname Uhler point back to its German roots. Over time, variants and spellings may have changed, but the surname carries the same meaning and history.
Famous people with the name Uhler
- Madison Uhler: A model, actress, and singer from Los Angeles, California.
- Kurt Uhler: An American reality television personality best known for his role in the Bravo reality television series “Flipping Out”.
- Dan Uhler: A professional snowboarder, musician, and inventor from Portland, Oregon.
- David Uhler: An American professional baseball player who last played for the Texas Rangers.
- Rosemary Uhler: A former TV news anchor and public relations professional working in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- John Uhler: An American former Major League Baseball player and former President of the National League.
- Francis Uhler: An American documentary filmmaker and co-founder of Firecat Film Productions.
- Gail Uhler: An American actress who has appeared in television shows such as “Seinfeld” and “Mad About You”.
- Michael Uhler: An American actor and director best known for his role in “Back to the Future”.
- Joseph Uhler: An aviation enthusiast and beloved author of the “Aviation Classics” series.