Surname Toller - Meaning and Origin
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Toller: What does the surname Toller mean?
The last name Toller is of Anglo-Saxon origin and has a professional/occupational meaning. It is derived from the Old English term "tolere," meaning "tax collector" or "toll gatherer." The role of a toller, in medieval times, was to collect taxes, duties, or fees from people travelling through his assigned area, typically bridges, highways, or roads. These tollers were often appointed by the king or local authorities. The surname Toller, therefore, was likely originally given as an occupational name to an individual who held this profession. Much like other occupational surnames, over time, it became a familial surname passed down through generations. The spelling of the name may have variations including Toller, Tollers, and others.
Order DNA origin analysisToller: Where does the name Toller come from?
The last name Toller is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic today, although it may be found in other parts of Europe as well. Toller is a German and Jewish Ashkenazic name, derived from the Old High German word "tolla" meaning "town".
In the past century, the name Toller has also migrated across the Atlantic to North America in a large numbers, particularly to the United States and Canada. In 2020, the surname Toller was ranked 2,825th in the country according to the US Census and it continues to increase in popularity.
Interestingly, the name Toller is also common among Mennonites, a branch of Protestant Christianity that emphasizes humility, non-violence, and community. The Mennonites are descended from a group of Anabaptists who originally settled in Switzerland and migrated to the United States in the early 1700s. There, Mennonites adopted the Toller last name as part of their cultural identity and it remains prevalent among Mennonite families today.
Overall, the last name Toller is still most widely associated with the German-speaking countries of Europe, albeit with a more widespread presence across the globe. It continues to be a popular name in German-speaking countries, as well as among both Mennonite and non-Mennonite families in North America.
Variations of the surname Toller
The surname Toller can have various spellings, variants, and other surnames that are of the same origin. Spellings may differ from country to country in terms of how the surname is written, however, some of the most common spellings are Toller, Tollar, Tollar, Tolle, and Toler. These all likely originate from the Old English word “toll” meaning “tax”, and were likely used to indicate a person who collected taxes.
Variants of the surname Toller are Toeller, Toler, Tollerud, Tollerer, Tolleren, Tolleshagen, and Tollere. These are largely surnames that originate in Germany, where the spelling of the surname has been heavily influenced by the country’s language and dialects.
Other surnames that are believed to originate from the same origin as the Toller surname are Toeller, Taler, Tolle, Tobler, and Tobeler. These are all surnames that can be traced back to Central and Eastern European countries. They have likely all been influenced by various dialects of German and other languages, and likely originate from the same root word.
Overall, the surname Toller likely has many spellings, variants, and other surnames of the same origin. These surnames are examples of how language and dialects can influence the pronunciation and spelling of a surname, creating a wide range of spellings for the same origin.
Famous people with the name Toller
- Jessie Toller: American actress, best known for playing Leela in the movie "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Deserts"
- Jan Toller: Czechoslovak-born American composer
- Ralf Toller: German actor and film director
- Kristopher Toller: British actor
- Joe Toller: English musician
- Fernie Toller: Canadian professor and painter
- Graham Toller: German football player
- George Toller: Canadian hockey player
- John Toller: American defense secretary
- Lawrence Toller: Canadian doctor and politician