Surname Wöhrl - Meaning and Origin
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Wöhrl: What does the surname Wöhrl mean?
The last name Wöhrl is a German surname that is derived from the old Germanic name "Vöhrl" or "Wermel". The name is believed to be derived from the Middle High German word "wermel" or "wermele" which meant "protecting, defending" or "sovereign" and referred to a person who was a protector or sovereign. The Wöhrl family likely had some type of noble or ancestral heritage because of the implied meaning of the name.
The first recorded usage of the surname dates back to the 13th or 14th century in Bavaria and the Palatinate region of Germany. Over time, the name has been altered to its current spelling and is still found mostly in German-speaking regions; however, it is also found in some other parts of Europe due to migrations.
The Wöhrl family is known for its enterprising spirit and ambition. Allegedly, they even founded a city in Bavaria called Wöhrlstadt. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, members of the family achieved higher nobility status due to their successful military, political, scientific, and cultural achievements.
To this day, the Wöhrl surname is found in German-speaking regions, as well as in parts of Austria, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia. There is an active Wöhrl association to this day, as well as a variation of the surname - Wöhrle. The Wöhrl name is a testament to a strong and resilient Germanic family lineage that is steeped in history.
Order DNA origin analysisWöhrl: Where does the name Wöhrl come from?
The last name Wöhrl is most commonly found in Bavaria, a state in southeast Germany. Wöhrl is a common German surname derived from the Middle High German word “wurzel” meaning root. This may refer to families that were descended from a root or a family line that went back further. The name was likely adopted as a surname during the 17th century when hereditary surnames were adopted throughout much of Europe.
Today, many members of the Wöhrl family trace their ancestry back to Bavaria, and this is still the region where the surname is most common. There are also a number of Wöhrl families in Austria, primarily in and around the cities of Vienna and Graz, as well as in other German speaking regions of Europe. Many members of the Wöhrl family have had prominent roles in Bavarian and Austrian politics, business, and culture over the years.
Outside of Bavaria and Austria, there are some Wöhrl families living in the United States, Canada, and even as far away as Australia and New Zealand. The surname is still most prominent in Germany, but over the years it has spread throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Wöhrl
The surname Wöhrl has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant would be Wohrl, and both spellings have the same root and can be used to represent the surname. Wörl is also a variant of the surname and is most commonly used in Germany. This name is derived from the German word 'wörl' which means 'valley'.
The surname Wöhrl has additional variants which are Woerl, Woerhl, Woerl, Wöerl, Wöerhl and Wehrl. These variants are most commonly seen in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The variant spellings are derived from the German word 'werl' which means 'dweller in a stream'.
The surname Wöhrl also has many surnames of similar origin. The most common alternate surnames include Wurl, Wurlich, Woerle, Werle, Werl, Werlitsch, Werlick, Wirl, Wirlich, Wirle, and Würle. All these surnames are derived from variants of the German word 'wörl' and translate to 'valley'.
Overall, the surname Wöhrl has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Wohrl, Woerl, Woerhl, Woerl, Wöerl, Wöerhl, Wehrl, Wurl, Wurlich, Woerle, Werle, Werl, Werlitsch, Werlick, Wirl, Wirlich, Wirle, and Würle are all variants of the same surname which all have the same Germanic root and translate to 'valley'.
Famous people with the name Wöhrl
- Sabine Wöhrl: German former CDU politician and member of the Bundestag from 1990 to 1998.
- Ursula Wöhrl: German fashion and lifestyle entrepreneur.
- Leonhard Wöhrl: Former Chairman of the Advisory Board at German retailer Wöhrl AG.
- Brigitte Wöhrl: Mathematician, longtime professor at TU Munich, and since 2005, director of the Mathematics Research Institute Oberwolfach.
- Werner Wöhrl: Former CEO of Wöhrl AG, now a member of the advisory board.
- Tobias Wöhrl: Member of the German Football Association (DFB).
- Thomas Wöhrl: German Christian Democratic Union politician, mayor of the city of Bamberg since 2003, and state minister for federal and European affairs in the state of Bavaria from 2013 to 2018.
- Martin Wöhrl: German contemporary artist and photographer.
- Michelle Wöhrl: German butterfly swimmer.
- Moritz Wöhrl: German swimmer, best known for participating in the 2010 European Junior Championship.