Surname Mehlis - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mehlis: What does the surname Mehlis mean?
The last name Mehlis is a German-language toponymic surname derived from the Old German word mehl, meaning flour, meal, or meal-maker. This was a common occupation in the region until the invention of the modern mill. It was likely a byname for someone who was known for their work with wheat, rye, or other grain that was needed to make flour. The presence of this surname can be found in areas of Germany, Austria, and other countries that historically spoke German dialects.
The last name Mehlis is a hereditary surname, which means it was passed down from generation to generation, often within the same family and region. In some cases, it may have been changed slightly from the original spelling or adopted from a different background. Because of the different spellings, the meaning of the name may not have always remained the same.
Mehlis is an uncommon last name, although it is shared by several people of different backgrounds. Since it has a variety of meanings, it could signify a connection to an occupation, a location, a region of origin, or even a family tradition. Additionally, the general meaning of the last name Mehlis is one of stability and hard work, which the people with this name often ascribe to themselves.
Order DNA origin analysisMehlis: Where does the name Mehlis come from?
The last name Mehlis is most commonly seen in Germany, though there is also a presence elsewhere in Europe. In the United States, the name Mehlis is seen primarily in Pennsylvania, as well as other parts of the north-east and Midwest. It is less common in the south and west of the United States.
The origin of the name Mehlis can be traced back to the Middle Ages in Germany, where it is said to have been derived from the German word ‘muhle’, meaning mill. The name likely came to be as an occupational surname for those in the milling industry.
Once established in Germany, the Mehlis family moved with the waves of German immigration to the United States in the mid-1800s. The names have since become somewhat more widespread, though still heavily concentrated in the areas of initial settlement.
Today, the Mehlis name is growing in popularity in Germany and elsewhere in Europe due to both immigration, as well as renewed interest in German culture. The Mehlis name is also gaining an increasingly prominent presence in the United States, as descendants of the original German immigrants, and those recent American-born visitors to Germany, become more visible in cultural and commercial life.
Variations of the surname Mehlis
The surname Mehlis comes from an occupational name derived from the Middle High German “meliz” meaning “miller”. It has many variants and spellings; however, some of the most common are:
Mellish, Mellis, Melish, Mellish, Mellish, Melech, Mieles, Meles, Milish, Mehlis, and Mellis. Common surnames derived from Mehlis include: Miehliss, Meehliss, Melles, Mehle, Meekles, Meilisch, Maelisch, Mielisch, Millisch, Millech, and Milisch. The name is especially common among German-speaking regions and can be found across Germany, Austria, and Hungary.
In America, the name Mehlis may have been modified slightly to Mellish or Melish, although in many areas, the spelling remains unchanged. The earliest recorded ancestor of the Mehlis name is specialist miller evaluator Friedrich Mehlis from Saam, Wüem. He is believed to have settled in the German-speaking regions of Silesia during the 18th century.
The Mehlis surname continues to be popular, particularly throughout the German-speaking countries of Europe. It symbolizes a hardworking, independent attitude that can be traced back through many generations, and offers a glimpse at life in the world of early millers.
Famous people with the name Mehlis
- Detlev Mehlis: former German lawyer and prosecutor who was assigned by the United Nations to investigate the assassination of Rafiq Hariri, a former prime minister of Lebanon.
- Andreas Mehlis: German businessman and entrepreneur known for founding several successful companies.
- Ruben Mehlis: German architect and urban planner, known for his development of projects in the Meier Street area of Berlin during the 1990s.
- Dietrich Mehlis: German physician and professor of internal medicine who is best known for his discovery of Aspergillus fumigatus, a species of mold.
- Ernst Mehlis: German engineer and inventor from the early 1900s whose most famous invention was the first four-stroke internal combustion engine.
- Fritz Mehlis: German composer and conductor who was best known for his work with the Berlin Philharmonic.
- Karl Mehlis: German ornithologist and naturalist who published several works on birdlife in Africa.
- Esther Mehlis: Austrian-born Holocaust survivor and author who worked with the United Nations to document testimonies from survivors of the Holocaust.
- Isaac Mehlis: Jewish-German immigrant to the United States in the late 1800s who wrote several memoirs about his struggles as an immigrant to America.
- Emil Mehlis: German writer and playwright from the early 20th century best known for his plays about workers' rights.