Surname Löffeler - Meaning and Origin
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Löffeler: What does the surname Löffeler mean?
The surname Löffeler is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "louffele," which means "spoon." This suggests that the original bearer of the surname was someone who sold spoons for a living, such as a spoon maker or a peddler of household utensils.
The genealogical research centre at FamilySearch provides a summary of the origin, meaning, and its probable or possible variations of the surname Löffeler. The summary states that it is first recorded in 1140 in the Rhineland, and it is one of the oldest recorded family names of German origin. It is possible that the name has variations, such as Leffle, Loffle, Loffele, and Loffeler.
The name may also be a reference to a topographical feature such as a stream or creek shaped like a spoon. This could be related to the suggestion that the original bearer of the surname may have lived near a stream or creek that had a distinctive shape.
The surname Löffeler can be found in many different countries, but it is most commonly found in Germany. As of 2020, it is the 2,475th most popular German surname, with more than 11,316 people sharing the Löffeler last name. This suggests that the surname has been in use for centuries and has a strong presence in certain parts of Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisLöffeler: Where does the name Löffeler come from?
The last name Löffeler is believed to be of German or Swiss origin, and is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is a rare surname and it has been documented in multiple regions across these countries since the 1600s.
In Germany, Löffeler is primarily found in the state of Bavaria, particularly in the region known as Oberpfalz, where it is estimated to have been in use since the late 18th century. Other regions of Bavaria with a substantial presence of the surname Löffeler include Schwaben, Oberfranken, and Unterfranken.
According to records, Löffeler can also be found in Switzerland, mainly in the cantons of Bern, each with a small population of Löffelers. Additionally, it is known to be present in the small German-speaking village of Le Biot in the canton of Vaud.
In Austria, the surname is present in the eastern regions of Burgenland, Steiermark, Niederösterreich, and Oberösterreich, including the city of Vienna.
Despite its prevalence in multiple regions of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, the surname Löffeler is not widespread in other countries. It is believed to have been brought to foreign countries by immigrants from German and Swiss-speaking countries, often fleeing persecution. Few records remain of immigrants to, for example, the United States or Canada with this surname, however, it is possible that some people of this name still exist.
Variations of the surname Löffeler
The surname Löffeler, also spelled Loffeler, Luppler, Loeffeler, Lueppler, and Loefeler, is of Austrian and German descent. The name is an Austrian variant of the German surname Löffler and, in some cases, the Swiss-German surname Lubler, which was common in the Rhineland area. It is an occupational surname related to metal working, and literally means "spoon maker" or "spoon maker's assistant" in German.
The surname Löffeler has been found in various ancient records in Austria, Switzerland, and Germany. The primary sources for the name Löffeler are in the parish registers and court records of some of the locations in which it is most commonly found. For example, in the 17th-century parish registers of Pfaffenhofen, near Ulm, Germany, several occurrences of the name Löffeler are recorded. Court records for the 1100s in the area of the Alps contain several mentions of the name.
Early instances of the name in records outside of German-speaking countries are scarce, but it appears that the surname was brought into other countries from Austria and Germany by immigrants in the 19th century. In the United States today, the surname can be found in scattered areas, primarily concentrated in states like Texas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Given the various spellings, it is possible that the name Löffeler is related to other surnames of different origins. For example, the name Loffer may be an Anglicized variant of Löffeler, as may Lowey (or, in some cases, Lowy or Louey). In addition, some variants of the surname could be associated with Scandinavian countries, such as the Danish Løfler.
Famous people with the name Löffeler
- Carl Löffeler, a German musicologist and music educator.
- Jeremias Löffeler, a German painter and draughtsman.
- Anthony Löffeler, an American theater and television actor.
- Simone Löffeler, a German-Canadian actress and photographer.
- Mark Löffeler, an American actor, director, and writer.
- Julia Löffeler, a German singer and actress.
- Paul Löffeler, a German astronomer and academic.
- Johannes Löffeler, a German carillonneur.
- Maxi Löffeler, a German tennis player.
- Tobias Löffeler, a German politician.