Surname Söhnle - Meaning and Origin
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Söhnle: What does the surname Söhnle mean?
The surname Söhnle is an occupational surname of German origin. It has been used to denote a Tanner, one who tans animal hides permanently to produce leather. It is derived from the German word söhnen, which means to tan. It is a patronymic name, meaning that it was adopted by the sons of the original bearer of the name.
In the 16th century, the Söhnle surname was predominantly found in the Hunsruck and Palatinate regions of Germany. As a result, the prevalence of the surname has been concentrated in northwest Germany, especially in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse. It is also relatively common in the United States; a number of American families with the surname came from Germany in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The coat of arms of the Söhnle family has been used since at least the 1590s, when it was granted in Durbach, Germany. The design of the coat of arms features a red bull’s head above three golden crosses on a black shield. This symbolizes the family’s traditional occupation of tanning leather.
Today, the Söhnle surname is still used throughout Germany and the United States, as well as other countries around the world. As a testament to their heritage, many Söhnle families still use the distinctive coat of arms of their name on their personal belongings. It is a reminder of their ancestry and the traditional profession of tanning that was so important to the Söhnle family for generations.
Order DNA origin analysisSöhnle: Where does the name Söhnle come from?
The last name Söhnle is most commonly associated with places in Germany and its former states.
The first instance of the name can be traced back to the early 16th century, when it was popularized by a German noble family in the region of Franconia. Today, the name is found throughout Germany and Austria in particular. It is particularly concentrated in the northern half of Germany, especially in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and Lower Saxony.
Due to the German diaspora in the 19th century, the name is now to be found throughout the world. German migrants settled in Russia, Poland, Hungary, and the United States, and the last name has remained in these countries even though many of the migrants eventually moved again to other countries.
The name also appears in other countries like South Africa and Argentina, where German immigrants left to settle and took the last name with them. In the United States, Söhnle is prominent in regions and states with a strong German-American population, such as Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Overall, the last name Söhnle is still most prevalently found in Germany and other German-speaking countries. Nevertheless, its long history and its association with German-speaking regions have caused it to be found throughout the world in places with previous strong links to the German-speaking diaspora.
Variations of the surname Söhnle
The Söhnle surname has several variants, spellings, and surname origins. The surname Söhnle is originally thought to have originated as a location-based surname, derived from the Old High German word sone, meaning "son", or from the Middle High German word sonne, meaning "sun". It is likely that the surname Söhnle would have been assigned to families who moved from one region to another, such as from Germany to the Scandinavian countries.
The most common variants, spellings, and surnames derived from the Söhnle surname include Sonle, Sonnle, Sohnle, Sohle, Soehle, Soehl, Söhle, Söhl, and Sühle.
In addition, there are other variants of Söhnle found outside Germany and Scandinavia. The Polish variant is known as Szule, while the Dutch version is Sunne. Also, the Czechoslovakian variant is Sohnl and the South Slavic variant is Sohnlj. In Hungary, the variant is Sojnle or Soíl. The Swedish version of Söhnle is Snell.
The modern-day Söhnle surname is primarily found in Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. However, the surname is also found in other countries, such as Austria, Russia, Poland, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
Given its geographic and ethnic origins, the Söhnle surname is a unique and versatile surname, with many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Söhnle
- Vienna-based actress and singer, Melissa Söhnle.
- Berlin-based director devoted to documentary films, Stephan Söhnle.
- Author of several novels, David Söhnle.
- Swiss fashion designer and journalist, Eva Söhnle.
- Retired German footballer, Friedhelm Söhnle.
- Freelance photographer, Nils Söhnle.
- Model and actress, Vanessa Söhnle.
- British Professor of Primary Care Diagnostics, Sarah Söhnle.
- Bavarian composer, Chrystalia Söhnle.
- Dancer and choreographer, Andrea Söhnle.