Surname Mehlhorn - Meaning and Origin

Mehlhorn: What does the surname Mehlhorn mean?

The last name Mehlhorn is of German origins, and derives from the Middle High German word ‘mêlehorn’, which literally means ‘meal-horn’ or ‘cornucopia’. It is a nickname for a 'generous person', and was likely bestowed upon those who were known for their hospitality and kindness by providing plenty of food and sustenance for their family, friends and guests. The name was likely first adopted in the Middle Ages by a family that owned or ran a tavern, but is associated with numerous castes and occupations, including laborers, miners, clothiers, farriers and farmhands.

The Mehlhorn coat of arms features a billygoat, traded across Germanic areas in medieval times. This, plus the traditional blue, red and gold colors and the helmet with bars symbolize strength and protection against those who would seek to harm the family, suggesting that the surnamed Mehlhorn retained its importance for several centuries.

Today, Mehlhorn families are typically found in the former West Germany, Eastern Europe, in countries such as Poland, Lithuania and Belarus, where the family likely moved during times of displacement. Sparsely found across the United States, Germany and some other countries, many lifetime members of the Mehlhorn family can still be found in or from Bavaria.

Altogether, the surname has been a symbol of hospitality, strength and protection across multiple generations and countries. It is a reminder of both the generous and staunch character of the Mehlhorn family and its members across the ages.

Mehlhorn: Where does the name Mehlhorn come from?

The last name Mehlhorn is most commonly found in Germany today. However, there is also a small population of people with the Mehlhorn surname in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. It is believed that the first person bearing the name Mehlhorn was from Germany but it is possible that it originated in the Netherlands or Austria.

In Germany the Mehlhorn name is especially well represented in the hometowns of Göttingen, Chemnitz, Hannover, Leipzig, and Berlin. It is also found outside of Germany in places like Copenhagen in Denmark and Prague in the Czech Republic.

Since the Mehlhorn name is quite rare, those who share it are likely to be distantly related, if at all. However, if two people who share the same surname were to compare their family trees, it is likely that they would find that they are related, even if distantly.

The professions of those with the Mehlhorn surname vary greatly. Today one is likely to find people with this surname involved in many different lines of work including agriculture, medicine, science, engineering, and business. It seems clear that the Mehlhorn family has built an impressive legacy.

Variations of the surname Mehlhorn

The surname Mehlhorn generally derives from the German word Mehles, meaning ‘flour’. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

• Maalhorn

• Maalhora

• Mahlbreit

• Mahlhorn

• Mahler

• Mahlhorn

• Mahln

• Mahlorn

• Mehlbreit

• Mehlhorne

• Mehlhornn

• Mehlorn

• Mehlron

• Mielbreit

• Mielhorn

• Mielhorne

• Mielhornn

• Mielorn

• Mielron

• Mienhorn

• Millhorn

• Millhorne

• Millhornn

• Molhorn

• Molhorne

• Molhornn

• Molorn

• Molron

• Mehlhorns

• Mehlhornne

• Mielhorns

• Mielhornne

• Millhorns

• Millhornne

• Molnhorns

• Molnhornne

• Molnorns

• Molnornne

These surname variations can differ in certain regions of the world. For example, the name Mehlhorn is primarily found in Germany, while the Mahlhorn surname is much more common in Denmark, and the Mielhorn variant is primarily used in the Czech Republic.

By studying surname distribution maps or a family's history, it is possible to determine the origin of a certain surname and the variants found in different countries and regions. It is also important to remember that surnames of the same origin can have different spellings and pronunciations, depending on the language or dialect spoken in a region.

Famous people with the name Mehlhorn

• Arthur Mehlhorn, German entomologist, botanist and author
• Adam Mehlhorn, German author and literary critic
• David Mehlhorn, Austrian-American actor
• David Mehlhorn, German music producer and composer
• Christopher Mehlhorn, German physicist
• John Mehlhorn, German-American painter
• Karl Mehlhorn, German botanist and zoologist
• Marianne Mehlhorn, German literature historian
• Alexander Mehlhorn, German economist
• Johannes Mehlhorn, German botanist, zoologist and environmentalist

Other surnames

MehlhosMehlhose