Surname Unterlercher - Meaning and Origin

Unterlercher: What does the surname Unterlercher mean?

The last name Unterlercher is an Austrian surname which originated in the area of Tyrol. It is derived from the old German word "Lerch" meaning "a person who operates a narrow path or lane in a forest". This surname was typically given to a person who worked in a profession related to forestry such as a forester, woodsman, or pathfinder.

The Unterlercher family name is most common in Austria, but there are also a few people bearing this name in other German-speaking countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The origin of the name Unterlercher has been traced back to the 13th century.

The name Unterlercher is a patronymic surname which is derived from the given name "Lercher" which is a medieval name from the German word "Lerch" meaning "a forest worker". This name is usually pronounced as "UN-tehr-ler-CHER" with a slightly clipped pronunciation of the "R"

The surname Unterlercher is an example of a name which first began to appear in Austria in the medieval period and has a continued presence and history in the country to this day. It is therefore not only an important symbol of the region's history, but also a reminder of how some names from one era can permanently remain a part of the culture and language of another.

Unterlercher: Where does the name Unterlercher come from?

The last name Unterlercher is primarily found in Austria today. Unterlercher is likely derived from the German words "unter" and "Lerchen," meaning "under the larks." It is not uncommon to find this name in the Southern part of the German-speaking world, including Austria, South Tyrol (Italy), and Southern Germany.

A search of the Austrian population registry shows that over 700 individuals currently living in Austria are recorded with the last name Unterlercher. However, the majority of these individuals are located in Carinthia and Styria, two Austrian states located in the east, bordering Slovenia and Hungary respectively. Villages in the region of Carinthia popularly associated with those bearing the Unterlercher name include Görtschach, Möltschach, and Peggau, with smaller populations of Unterlercher's residing in the municipalities of Trebesing and Sankt Georgen.

In the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany’s southernmost state, there are around 50 individuals bearing the Unterlercher surname. The name is also prominent amongst families living on the border between Austria and Bavaria.

In addition to Austria and Germany, Unterlercher is also found in neighboring Liechtenstein, which lies sandwiched between the two countries on the south-eastern border. Here the surname is known amongst families living in the town of Mauren.

The Unterlercher name can also be found in the United States of America, but the population is relatively small. Most individuals bearing the name emigrated from Austria in the late 19th or early 20th century and settled in various parts of the US, including Wisconsin, Nebraska and Texas.

Variations of the surname Unterlercher

The Unterlercher surname is an Austrian name of German and Jewish origin. Alternate spellings include Unterlärcher, Unterlaerer, Unterlaercher, Unterlercher, Unterlärcher, and Unterlärcherer.

Variant spellings of Unterlercher with a vowel emphasis on the second syllable, such as Unterlärcher, Unterlärcher, Unterlärcherer, and Unterlaerer indicate a spelling of the word for a more Germanic sound.

Variant spellings of Unterlercher with a focus on the last syllable such as Unterlaercher, indicate a more Jewish pronunciation.

The anglicised spelling of this surname is usually Unterloecher, however, this form is relatively rare.

Unterlercher is closely related to the surnames Unterberger, Unterweger, Unterbergerlehen, Untermoser, Unterreiner, and Unterhuber. All of the aforementioned surnames generally refer to a similar origin of family origin, typically from the south-eastern part of Austria.

The surname Unterlercher is most commonly found in the Austrian state of Salzburg, but can also be found in Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Vienna.

Additional surnames stemming from the same family tree of the Unterlercher surname include Unterlindner and Untergasser. These names may have been derived from the village of Unterlinden, located near the city of Braunau am Inn.

In conclusion, the Unterlercher surname is of both German and Jewish origin, and has numerous variant spellings, surnames, and origins all with varying roots in Austria.

Famous people with the name Unterlercher

• Thomas Unterlercher: Austrian Alpine skier famously nicknamed “Gibis” who competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics in the slalom and giant slalom events.
• Berthold Unterlercher: Austrian sculptor who was best known for his Biblical figures and statues of members of the nobility, including Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.
• Gertrude Unterlercher: German-born Austrian actress who had a lengthy career in both film and television, most notably playing the role of Emma Horner in the 1981 film Der Umgang mit Menschen.
• Ernst Unterlercher: Austrian judoka who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, Germany, and represented Austria in the lightweight category.
• Karl Unterlercher: Austrian organist, composer, and church musician, known for his piety and attention to detail in his performances of Bach and other composers.
• Thomas Unterlercher: Professional Austrian footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for SV Mattersburg in the Austrian Bundesliga.
• Barbara Unterlercher: Austrian chess player who competed in the Women's World Chess Championship three times, and was a nationally rated chess player in her homeland.
• Theodor Unterlercher: 19th-century Austrian painter and sculptor who studied under the renowned Romantic artist Franz von Lenbach and painted in the German Southeast School style.
• Egon Unterlercher: Austrian pathologist and medical scientist who was the Director of the Pathology Institute in Salzburg for over three decades and one of the world's leading researchers in tuberculosis.
• Alois Unterlercher: Austrian ski jumper who competed at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, and competed for Germany in the 1968 and 1972 Winter Games.

Other surnames

Unterlerchner