Surname Wehrl - Meaning and Origin
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Wehrl: What does the surname Wehrl mean?
The last name Wehrl is a German surname. Its origins can be traced to the word "Wer" which roughly translates to "defender". Thus, Wehrl seemingly has a connotation of protecting and keeping safe from harm. It is believed to be derived from the occupation of a guard or perhaps military service.
Wehrl can be found in regions across Germany, Austria, Hungary and Czech Republic. It is also sometimes written as Vehrl in their respective languages. The name is quite distinctive in heraldic devices, depicting elements such as weapons including lances, swords, and even shields.
Wehrl is a significant German surname that is filled with centuries of military influence and a strong element of protection. Historically, it was associated with people from the noble and warrior class, as well as those who served in the army, police, or any role which involved protection.
Today, the name Wehrl is carried on by people with a variety of occupations. It has even been associated with scholars, writers, and athletes. Regardless of the family’s origins, it still carries with it a sense of safeguarding and preservation.
Order DNA origin analysisWehrl: Where does the name Wehrl come from?
The Wehrl surname is common throughout Germany, with the highest concentration being located in the state of Bavaria. It is also common in Austria, Switzerland, and Slovenia. Outside of these countries, the surname can be found in the United States and Canada, with the highest concentration of people with the Wehrl surname residing in the United States.
According to the US census of 2000, the states in the US with the highest number of people with the Wehrl surname can be sorted as follows with Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Texas as the top three states: Pennsylvania (291 people with the Wehrl surname), New Jersey (286 people with the Wehrl surname), Texas (181 people with the Wehrl surname), Ohio (124 people with the Wehrl surname), New York (115 people with the Wehrl surname), Wisconsin (63 people with the Wehrl surname), Illinois (62 people with the Wehrl surname), and Florida (26 people with the Wehrl surname).
Outside of the United States, the Wehrl surname can also be traced to Canada, with the majority of people with the surname living in Ontario and British Columbia.
The Wehrl surname is believed to be of German origin, and is thought to be connected with words meaning “guardian” and “warden”, hinting at the surname’s possible origin from names given to protectors of fields, fences or boundaries. Given its heavy presence in Germany, it is likely that the Wehrl surname was created for families that lived in or near border areas, possibly even as early as the medieval period.
Today, individuals with the Wehrl surname are scattered across the world, and in the United States and Canada, they can most commonly be found in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Texas.
Variations of the surname Wehrl
The Wehrl surname is derived from the German word "wehr" meaning "defense". It is also known as Werrl, Vehrl, Wehrli, Wehrle, Wehrly, Wehrel, Wehr, Wehri, Wehren, Wiehr, Wuhr, and Gundl.
The Wehrl surname originated in Germany and was among the earliest known families in the Muldthal region in the Egerland area of the Erzgebirge Mountains. The most common variations of the Wehrl surname are Wehr, Werrl, and Wehrle. Wehr and Werrl are the most frequent variants, and Wehrle is the most commonly found spelling in America.
The earliest written record of the Wehrl surname in Germany was documented in 1380 in Wurtzburg. By the 16th century, the Wehrl surname was found in Southwestern Germany, specifically Baden-Wurttemburg and Bavaria.
The surname Wehrl spread to other countries, and variations of the surname were adopted by emigrants in other regions of Europe as well as the United States of America. By the 19th century, it had spread to Hungary, Poland, Austria, Scandinavia, and France. America was introduced to the surname due to immigration in the late 19th century and the early 20th century.
Variants of the surname Wehrl can still be found in Germany, the United States, and countries of Central Europe. There are also variations of the Wehrl surname in Canada, Great Britain, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Wehrl
- Robert Wehrl: a former American football player
- Harald Wehrl: a German physicist
- Mathias Wehrl: a German journalist
- Joe Wehrl: a retired American professional football player
- Frank Wehrl: a former German professional football player
- Elias Wehrl: a German politician of the Free Democratic Party
- John Wehrl: a PGA Tour golfer
- Mary Wehrl: an American humanitarian
- Peter Wehrl: a Swedish canoe racer
- Nancy Wehrl: a U.S. attire designer