Surname Schärl - Meaning and Origin
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Schärl: What does the surname Schärl mean?
The last name Schärl is of German origin and is derived from an individual's function or occupation. The surname Schärl is derived from the Middle High German word 'schar', meaning 'disciple', 'servant', or 'sharer'. It may have been used to refer to a teacher of some kind, someone who took part in joint endeavors, or one who was actively engaged in a communal process. This surname may have initially been used by members of the noble class in the Middle Ages as a reference to their teaching or instructional roles.
Over time, Schärl became associated with other professions and activities, and is now known as a generic surname. It is used as a family name by many different groups, including descendants of German migrants, and is not associated with any particular region or family.
In modern times, Schärl can be found throughout Germany, but is also common in Austria and Switzerland, as well as in parts of the US, Canada, and Australia. It is also quite common in South Africa, where it has become an Afrikaans name. It is an easily recognizable surname within these countries and is often misspelled as 'Scharl', 'Scholl', or 'Schulz'.
The surname Schärl is a testament to the rich history of German identity and continues to represent a diverse range of families who trace their ancestry back to the Middle Ages.
Order DNA origin analysisSchärl: Where does the name Schärl come from?
The last name Schärl is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other German-speaking parts of Europe. It is among the most popular last names in Germany, given to over 17,500 people as of 2019, a number that has been decreasing over the past two decades.
Schärl is thought to have originated from a place-name in Upper Bavaria or Swabia. The etymology of the last name may come from the German middle high german word “scharen”, meaning “to hew”, or the word “scharl”, which is related to “sharp”. This could mean someone from the environment of these places may have had an occupation as an artisan of sorts.
The last name is also found across the United States, with over 570 Schärls living in America as of 2019. However, the vast majority of Schärls are found in Germany and surrounding countries. There, the last name is known as a variation of the original spelling, with many families opting for dialectal versions like Scharli, Scharle, Schärli, and Schärle. Schärl is also often spelled Schäfler or Schäffler in the southern states of Germany.
The Schärl family has a long history throughout Europe, and they have remained in the same regions over the centuries. Today, this last name remains a testament to the resilience and endurance of their ancestors.
Variations of the surname Schärl
The surname Schärl is of Germanic origin, derived from the personal name of the same spelling. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include: Schäfer, Schäferlein, Schärf, Scharff, Scherf, Scharf, Schierling, Schörl, Schaerff, Scharffenberg, Schärling, Schöerl, Schorl, Schörl, Schorle, Schörlein, Schöringer, Schöterling, Schorstling, and Schulzing.
Schärl appears to be the most common spelling of the surname, as Schäfer is the most common variant. Schäfer is derived from the Middle High German word for shepherd, "scafir," and Schä fer means 'shepherd.' The other variants of the name are derived from this root word. Schärf means 'sharp' or 'keen' and is used to describe someone who has a keen eye or knowledge of something.
Scharf, Scherf, and Scharl(ing) have similar meanings as Schä rf and refer to a sharp or keen person; Scharl(ing) is a diminutive form of the Germanic word, suggesting someone who is smaller or younger. Schörl is a variant of the name which means 'short', while Schorl (also spelled Schorle) means 'rough.' Schöerl is another variant meaning 'bitter-loud' or 'bold', while Schöringer means 'farmer,' and Schöterling means 'observer.'
Finally, Scharffenberg is a variant of the name meaning 'swan-mountain,' referring to someone who lived on or near a mountain with swans; Schorstling is a variant which could be derived from the Middle High German word for 'ground', 'schorsten', and Schulzing is a variant meaning 'dweller in the woods'.
Overall, the surname Schärl is of Germanic origin and has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, all of which are derived from the Middle High German root word.
Famous people with the name Schärl
- Rober Schärl: This German artist is an author, lecturer, and art professor at the University of Bielefeld, where he is the director of the Institute of Cultural Communication.
- Friedrich Schärl: This German journalist was a co-founder and editor-in-chief of the magazine Cicero, which is still published today.
- Martin Schärl: This German comedian and actor is best known for starring in the television show Alles Atze, a show about a working-class family.
- Christoph Schärl: This German entrepreneur is the founder and CEO of Energiedienst, a renewable energy company.
- Joachim Schärl: This German physicist is a professor at the University of Stuttgart and head of the Institute for Theoretical Physics.
- Robert Schärl Jr.: This German musician is the son of Robert Schärl and is the lead singer and guitarist for the band The Schärls. 7.Eva Schär: This German actress is best known for her role in the television show Soko atze, where she stars as a police detective.
- Philipp Schärl: This German photographer and filmmaker won various awards for his films, including a silver bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.