Surname Lothar - Meaning and Origin

Lothar: What does the surname Lothar mean?

The surname Lothar originates from the Germanic Pre-Christian name Chlothar, believed to mean ‘army leader’. The combination of the frankish clod meaning ‘renowned’ and har meaning ‘army’.

Lothar is most common in Germany, but can be found in France, the Netherlands, and other parts of Northern Europe.

The name has been recorded as spelled in numerous ways, such as Lother, Loether, Loter, Lothert, Lotherio and the Latin form Clodar.

In Medieval Germany, Lothar was an extremely popular name, often given to the firstborn son. As a surname, it associated with individuals of high authority and with those holding strong military ties.

The name has retained its meaning over the centuries and is still used today mainly within familial circles. It is a sign of strength and power, and has gained considerable recognition in the modern world.

Lothar could also be a patronymic name, which was given to those who were born of or descended from a father with the name ‘Lothar’.

Lothar has been passed down over the years, through the generations, with many individuals taking on the name. It is a name which represents dedication to a higher power, as well as strength and courage.

Lothar: Where does the name Lothar come from?

The last name Lothar is most common in the German-speaking regions of Europe. It is mainly found in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as in Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. It is also not uncommon to find the name in Scandinavian countries, such as Denmark and Sweden, as well as in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and the United States.

Lothar is believed to be an ancient name from the Germanic tribe of the Franks. It is derived from the German word "lothi," which means ill-fated or unlucky. This was commonly used to describe a person who was highly disliked by others.

The name Lothar is still quite popular in modern German culture, and various forms of the name are widely used in various European cultures. For example, the alternative spelling, Lother, has been used in the United Kingdom for many years. Additionally, various forms of the name can be seen scattered across various European languages, such as Lothar in German, Lothaire in French, and even Lotar in Polish.

Given the fact that Lothar is derived from an old Germanic tribe, it is not surprising that the name is still quite popular today. There are many historical figures who bore this name, such as Lothar I, who served as the first King of the Franks, or the 12th century German Bishop of Wurzburg, Lothar II. Today, Lothar is often used as a first or last name, and is commonly found amongst individuals of German, Polish, Swedish, Dutch and French descent.

Variations of the surname Lothar

Many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin exist for the surname Lothar.

Variants of the name include Lothaire, Lothar, Lotar, Lescar, Lotharo, Lotharius, Lothario, Lotario, Lothon, and Lotho.

Alternate spellings of the name range from Lauter, Lauther, Louther, and Louther, to Lother, Loter, Loyer, Lotter, Lowther, and Lwtter.

Surnames of the same origin as Lothar are often found in Italy and France and have evolved from Latin roots — such as Lattar, Lasser, Luster, Latter, Later, Latteri, Lezzo, and Lis.

The surname Lothar has perhaps also evolved from the German, Old High German, and Dutch versions of the name — such as Luthar, Luitker, and Luitger — as well as the Dutch variations Lutgert and Lutgers.

In addition, early American families of German descent often anglicized their surname, producing surnames such as Lawther and Lawter.

Lothar is also the Old Saxon version of Old French surnames such as Lothaire, which has spelling variations such as Lothar and Lother, as well as alternative forms such as Lotter, Loter, Lotar, and Luter.

Given the numerous variations of the surname, it is possible that many names may have evolved from the same source. It may be necessary to research early versions of the name and various spellings to determine one's exact origin.

Famous people with the name Lothar

• Mathias Lothar: Mathias Lothar is a Danish actor known for his performances in television shows such as 'Badehotellet', 'Borgen', and 'Sygeplejeskolen'.
• Lothar Herrmann: Lothar Herrmann is a German journalist and television presenter, famous for his work in German television series such as 'Stern TV'.
• Lothar Matthäus: Lothar Matthäus is a retired German footballer, widely regarded as one of the best to have ever played the game. He is best known for his lengthy international football career with West Germany and then Germany itself. Notable successes include captaining West Germany to the 1990 World Cup title.
• Lothar Buchheim: Lothar Buchheim is a German art historian, author, and former East German dissident. He published books such as 'Uprising in East Germany 1953', 'The Solitary Confinement of Alexander Schmorell', and 'Agitprop'.
• Lothar Komp: Lothar Komp is a German music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter who has composed songs for German singer and television presenter Helene Fischer. He is also the recipient of several awards including the German Music Award and Echo Music Prize.
• Lothar Kreyssig: Lothar Kreyssig is a German painter known for his works in the modernist art movement. He has exhibited his works in galleries in Germany, England, and the United States.
• Julius Lothar Meyer: Julius Lothar Meyer was a German chemist and physicist, known for creating the periodic table. He also made several notable discoveries in the field of physical chemistry, such as the law of partial pressures. He is also credited with discovering the cause of ozone's characteristic odor.
• Lothar Schmid: Lothar Schmid was a German chess Grandmaster, renowned for his exceptional skill in the game. He was the official referee of many of the world's major chess tournaments. He was also the first non-Soviet Grandmaster to receive the International Maste title.
• Lothar Walther: Lothar Walther is a German sport shooter and international champion. He has competed in multiple Olympic Games and has won medals in all of the shooting disciplines. Most recently, he has set a world record at the ISSF World Cup in 2011.

Other surnames

LothariusLothary