Surname Männlein - Meaning and Origin
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Männlein: What does the surname Männlein mean?
The last name Männlein is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word man, meaning "man, male". This name has several variants, including Manlein, Männl, and Männleinmann, and is likely an occupational nickname referring to a man who works in a production or manufacturing setting. The name could also be derived from the Middle High German word Männlein, meaning "little man".
The Männlein surname is found primarily in Southwestern Germany, especially within the states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. The name is also found elsewhere in Europe, particularly in Austria and Switzerland.
Due to its geographical distribution, the name is presumed to have evolved during the Middle Ages. It is presumed to have been adopted by a number of families during the feudal period, perhaps as an occupational name.
The Männlein name is still in use today, and is shared by many members of the German-speaking community. It is also frequently encountered among people of German ancestry living in the United States and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisMännlein: Where does the name Männlein come from?
The last name Männlein is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. It likely originated in the late medieval era and can be used as either a given name or a surname. It was commonly found as an occupational name for professional bakers, brewers, and other professions related to providing for the public.
The name itself is comprised of the German word "mann" meaning a man, combined with the diminutive suffix -lein meaning "little". Its literal meaning is "little man".
In Germany today, the surname can be found in the states of Bavaria, Saxony, and Thuringia. It is less commonly found in the west and north. Similarly, in Austria the last name is most commonly found in the provinces of Styria and Carinthia, with some occurrences in Vienna, Lower and Upper Austria, and Vorarlberg.
In Switzerland, the Männlein name can be found in the cantons of Basel-City and Solothurn, with rare occurrences in other cantons. The spelling is slightly different in Switzerland, with a double "n" as "Maennlein" instead of "Männlein".
The last name Männlein is still active today in German-speaking countries, and is a reminder of the occupational and cultural history of Europe.
Variations of the surname Männlein
Männlein is a German surname, derived from the Middle High German mann meaning ‘man’ or ‘mankind’. It is an occupational surname first made popular in the 16th century, when it was used to refer to a person who held a prestigious social status.
Variants of the Männlein surname include Mannlein, Männlin, Manlin, Mannlin, Manling, Mannling, Maynle, Menle, Menling, Menlin, and Menling. In some cases, the spelling of these variants has been adjusted to reflect the phonetic spelling of the surname, such as Mainling, Maynloyn, and Maudlin.
Surnames derived from Männlein include Maennle, Maenle, Mönnle, Mennele, Mänle, Mannl, Mennecke, Mayne, Minne, Mine, and Minee. The spelling for some of these surnames has varied over time, such as Manneneck which has also been spelled as Mannenick, Mannnick, and Mennek.
Other surnames related to Männlein include Mennle, Monnle, Moonle, Moennle, Moehnl, and Monnely. These surnames are often derived from the Germanic root man, and can also be found in conjunction with names such as Manner, Manerle, Manerl, or Manerly.
In some cases, Männlein has been adapted into other languages, such as Männl in Slovenian, Maenle in Dutch, Maennle in Polish, and Mannle in Czech.
In total, there are many variations of the Männlein surname, from variants, to spellings, to surnames of the same origin. While the exact origin is unknown, it is apparent that the surname has been used for hundreds of years, and has spread to other languages along the way.
Famous people with the name Männlein
- Andreas Männlein: German workbench manufacturer and military commander.
- Ulrich Männlein: German chess master, team captain of the German Chess Championship team.
- Johann Männlein: German classical organist and composer.
- Carl Männlein: Austrian actor and director.
- Ella Männlein: German ice dancer, competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics.
- Marie Männlein: German classical singer who performed in the opera house in Kassel.
- Florian Männlein: German violinist and first solo oboist of the Berlin Philharmonics.
- Johann Berchtold Männlein: Bohemian sculptor, known for his statues of emperors, bishops and religious figures.
- Gottfied Männlein: German engraver, produced engravings of portraits for nobility and leaching institutions.
- Winfried Männlein: German avant-garde mathematician and professor at the Technische Universität Berlin.