Surname Dohl - Meaning and Origin
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Dohl: What does the surname Dohl mean?
The last name Dohl is of German origin and means "a man from the valley". It is derived from the Middle High German "dol", or “dale”, indicating that the family originated from a location in a valley. It is also related to the surname Dole, which probably derived from the same root.
The Dohl family is believed to have been present in Europe for many centuries, with their earliest recorded instance of the name appearing in a book of families from the 14th century. Over the centuries the name has spread from Central and Northern Europe to other locations and has also evolved and changed.
The name is most common in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands, although there are Dohl families throughout the world. It is a very common surname in North America, particularly in the United States, where it is the 25th most common surname, accounting for over 200,000 people.
The Dohl surname is an indication of the family’s long standing presence in Europe, and in many other parts of the world. It is a reminder of the family’s ancient origin in a valley, and the name has been carried with them for generations. As a result, it is associated with history and tradition, and it has become a recognizable surname around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisDohl: Where does the name Dohl come from?
The last name Dohl is commonly found throughout Germany and Central Europe. The surname originated in Prussia, where it was most frequently used as a soubriquet for people from the small town of Dol in West Prussia. It is also present in Norway, where it is likely derived from the Old Norse word dol which means "valley." In the Netherlands and Belgium, it is most often found near the Dutch-German border towns. In the United States, the surname is most frequently found in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, which indicates that German immigrants brought the surname to America in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is also common in Australia, where it features among the immigrants who arrived in the Gold Rush of the 1840s. In recent years, Dohl has spread to other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Brazil, due to increased migration and globalization.
Variations of the surname Dohl
Dohl is an uncommon surname originating from Germany and the Dutch Netherlands. Historically, it has been spelled in various ways, such as Dohl, Doehl, Doehl, Doel, Dohle, Doehle, Doehele, Doppler, and Duppler.
Variations in spelling are generally due to a lack of consistent spelling and pronunciation rules in the German language. Because of this, the spelling of the surname has, over time, changed according to the family’s spoken dialect and how it was recorded by scribes or clerks.
Historically, the Dohl surname was more common in the northern part of Germany, particularly in Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. Here, it was mainly recorded in the Hanover area of Germany.
In the Netherlands, the Dohl surname has been recorded since the early 1600s. It is likely that the surname originated in the Netherlands and then was brought to Germany by immigrants.
In many cases, the spelling of the surname has changed over time in certain families. For example, while yesterday’s records may show the surname spelled as “Dohl,” the descendants of those individuals may now spell the surname as “Doehl” or “Doel.” Therefore, it is important to research all possible spellings of the surname.
Famous people with the name Dohl
- Jim Dohl: American film editor known for his work on Hollywood movies such as The Devil's Own, Men in Black II, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and Charlotte's Web
- Lorne Dohl: former professional forth-division Canadian soccer player who competed at the 1985 Canada Summer Games
- Lawrence Dohl: musician and artist residing in San Francisco and best known for being the keyboardist for the indie rock band The Decemberists
- Joe Dohl: minor league baseball player who played for the Lincoln Saltdogs and Wichita Wingnuts
- Vera Dohl: German film actress who starred in several silent films from 1912–1923
- George Dohl: American professional wrestler, mostly known for competing in the territorial promotions and the National Wrestling Alliance
- John Dohl: coach of the Norwegian Men's National Soccer Team from 1979 to 1981
- Bill Dohl: NFL player for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1966 to 1972
- Clark Dohl: American actor, screenwriter, and director best known for his award winning short film "The Visitor"
- Kenneth Dohl: standup comedian and producer of the "New York City Comedy Jam"