Surname Löher - Meaning and Origin

Löher: What does the surname Löher mean?

The last name Löher is believed to be of Germanic origin. The earliest records of the name date back to the 14th century in the Palatinate region in Germany. It was commonly described as a 'location name', meaning that it was likely derived from a town, locality, or geographical feature.

The most accepted theory on the origin of the name Löher is that it is derived from the German word 'Loh', which translates to 'meadow'. Its variants simply take the suffixes appropriate to their particular dialect. This suggests that it was most likely originally given to people who lived on, or near, a meadow.

Variants of Löher found in various German-speaking regions include Lohr in the Palatinate, Ahr Valley, and Rhineland-Palatinate; Loh in Saxony; Lör in Silesia; Lohrer in Austria; Löwer in Lower Austria; and Lohmers in North Germany. It also spread to other countries, with Löhr and Loer being found in the Netherlands, and Lauwer, Lauwers, and Lauwe found in Belgium.

The earliest recorded mention of the name Löher is John Bou Lohmair, a knight who was well-known for his participation in the Austria-Bavarian War in the mid-14th century.

Thus, the last name Löher likely refers to those who resided in or near a meadow, or even just had an affinity for one. It has since gone on to become an internationally recognizable last name and is carried proudly by many people around the world.

Löher: Where does the name Löher come from?

The last name Löher is most often found in Germany today. It is a descriptive surname derived from a type of carpenter or joiner and it is estimated that there are around 4,000 bearers of this name living in Germany.

The name is also found in countries which were previously part of the German Empire, such as Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic. There are likely to be far fewer carriers of the name found in these countries than in Germany today.

The Löher surname is derived from a German word meaning sawyer. It was most likely an occupational name that was adopted as a surname by German-speaking farmers or villagers at some point in history. Consequently, it is likely that the name is found most often in areas where German-speaking populations have been historically concentrated.

In recent centuries, many people with the Löher surname have emigrated to other parts of the world, particularly the United States, Canada, and Australia. This has meant that the number and geographical range of those carrying the Löher surname has spread beyond the historically German-speaking areas.

Today, this surname is still found most commonly in Germany and nearby countries. However, due to emigration, any descendant of a bearer of the surname may well find it located as far afield as the other side of the world.

Variations of the surname Löher

The surname Löher is a German surname derived from the Middle High German word "Löher," which meant one who lived atop a hill or mountaintop. It is thought to have been used as a nickname for someone who rather enjoyed the high life, a hilltop dweller. The surname Löher can be spelled in several variations, including Lohr, Lohrmann, Lohrer, Lohwasser, Lohs, Lörr, Löhr, Löher, and Löhrer.

Variants of the surname Löher can be found in several countries. In Germany, "Lohr" is the most common variant, found in the regions of Franconia and the Rhineland. In Austria, the variant "Lohrmann" is more common, with several branches of this family holding prominent positions in the country. Meanwhile, in Switzerland, the surname "Lohwasser" is the more commonly found variant.

The different surname variants, spellings, and spellings across countries may be attributed to the fact that German surnames, upon arriving in other lands, have been adjusted or mistranslated in an effort to sound more native. Variants of the surname may also stem from historical immigration patterns; members of the Löher surname traveled from Germany, Switzerland, and Austria to various other countries, such as the United States, during different periods. Each time the family arrived at a new location, the surname was adapted to better fit their current surroundings and culture.

In terms of Jewish surnames of the same origin, some individuals tracked their surnames back far enough to become Löwers or Löwe, which are alternate spellings of the name Löher. These alternate spellings would have likely been chosen to distance the family from anti-Semitism in Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Overall, the surname Löher has a long and interesting history that spans across several countries and cultures. Variants and alternate surnames associated with the name stem from immigration, mistranslation, or anti-Semitism, creating an understanding of the name that is far different from when it first originated in Germany.

Famous people with the name Löher

• Toto Löher: a German footballer who currently plays for Werder Bremen;
• Rudolf Löher: a German philosopher and theologian;
• Alexander Löher: a German attorney and politician;
• Angelika Löher: a German author and illustrator;
• Maria Löher: a German poet, playwright, and radio presenter;
• Julian Löher: a German actor;
• Martin Löher: a German entrepreneur;
• Henning Löher: a German musician;
• Michelle Löher: a German fashion designer;
• Svend Löher: a Danish artist and illustrator;
• Paul Löher: a German physicist.

Other surnames

Löhers