Surname Böhler - Meaning and Origin

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Böhler: What does the surname Böhler mean?

The last name Böhler is a German surname, derived from the common German occupational name Bohler which is derived from the Middle High German bōler meaning ‘one who works in metal’ or ‘smelter’. The same root is also found in the English name Fowler which is derived from the Middle English folere – meaning ‘master smith’ and the Dutch name Booler – both of which can be traced back to the same German root.

The surname Böhler is thought to have first originated in Bavaria, Germany, where it was adopted by an ancient family of the same name in that region. Records of the surname Böhler date back to the late 13th century in various German towns, including Augsburg and Lubeck.

In Germany, to this day, people with the surname Böhler are mainly concentrated within the states of Bavaria and Saxony, with small numbers found in the states of Hesse and Baden-Württemberg. Outside of Germany, people with the surname Böhler are found in numbers in the United States, Canada, Austria, and other countries in Europe.

In the modern world, the surname Böhler is often used in Germany to describe people who work in the metals industry, such as welders, blacksmiths, and metalworkers. In more recent times, the name Böhler has also been bestowed on members of the Buergermeister family, with a few prominent members being found in social media in Germany and elsewhere.

Böhler: Where does the name Böhler come from?

The last name Böhler is mainly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in Liechtenstein. It might be seen occasionally in other countries or cultures due to immigration or intermarriage, but it is not a common last name outside of the German-speaking world.

Although there is some variation in the spelling, Böhler is usually pronounced in the same way, regardless of the country it is found in. It means ‘metalworker’ or ‘armourer’ in German, originating from the Middle High German word ‘bohler’ as well.

In Germany, the last name is one of the more common ones. According to records, it is the 231st most popular name in the country, with approximately 1,581 people registered with it. Böhler is most popular in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, and Hamburg, with the highest concentration of people registered with the last name living in the village of Böhl-Iggelheim in southwestern Germany.

In Austria, it is considered to be a rare name, and according to 2006 census records, there were only 248 people registered with it in the country. In Switzerland, the number of people registered with the last name is around 405 according to 2013 records.

As is the case for many German surnames, the spelling of Böhler has likely been slightly altered by the countries it has been adopted in, resulting in the last name being written as Boeler in English-speaking countries. It is not a particularly common last name outside of the German-speaking world, but it is not a completely rare occurrence either.

Variations of the surname Böhler

The surname Böhler can be spelled differently depending on the region that it originated in or where it is used today. The most common forms of Böhler include Böhler, Boehler, Behler, Böhler, Boehler, Böhle and Behler. In some cases, the surname may be spelled without the umlaut and simply as B ohler, Bohler or Buhler.

The surname is generally an occupational surname, deriving from the Middle High German word "Böholer" meaning cooper (barrel maker). It is most prevalent in the German-speaking countries of Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Liechtenstein.

The surname is also found in other countries, such as the United States, France, Argentina, Canada and Chile. It may have been brought to some of these countries during the 19th and 20th centuries with the spread of German emigrants. Some of the slight variations that appeared in the United States include Behler, Behrle, Bohley, Beehler, Buehler and more. Some of these variations may have been Americanized to make it easier for people to pronounce and spell their name.

In addition to the original Böhler spelling, there are a number of other surnames that may have originated in connection with the occupation of the barrel maker. Those related surnames include Koehler, Köhler, Kuhler, Kühler, and Kuehler.

The surnames have retained their original form even though they may have been interpreted differently in other countries. Consequently, its variations continue to tell the story of its origin and the occupational trade associated with its bearer.

Famous people with the name Böhler

• Andreas Böhler: the former chief executive of the Fertianki AG1 corporation.
• Idar Böhler: a Swiss-Canadian businessman best known for his work in developing e-commerce.
• Jakob Böhler: a German sculptor, designer, and lithographer whose works are on display in the Deutsches Historisches Museum.
• Karl Böhler: a Jewish-German artist and filmmaker who directed several silent films.
• Christian Böhler: a German-language author of several reference works on opera and composer biographies.
• Hugo Böhler: a Swiss novelist and playwright whose works depicting the plight of the workers often expressed socialist ideals.
• Carl Böhler: a German composer during the late 19th century who wrote works for piano and organ as well as several operas.
• Mark Böhler: a German painter and photographer best known for his postmodern works depicting urban landscapes.
• Albert Böhler: an Austrian-born composer who wrote the opera Die Vogelschule in 1954.
• Felipe Böhler: a Brazilian avant-garde musician, film director, and journalist who worked with a variety of styles and genres.

Other surnames

BohleBohlenBohlenschmidt