Surname Dörfl - Meaning and Origin
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Dörfl: What does the surname Dörfl mean?
Dörfl is an uncommon German surname, believed to have originated in the Rhineland region of Germany. The etymology of the name is uncertain, but it could refer to someone who lived in a "dorf" (a settlement or village), or to a location with a similar sounding name. It’s possible the early bearers of the name may have been farmers, artisans, or tradesmen who lived in small settlements.
In more recent history, Dörfl has come to be associated with a variety of people – from scholars and scientists, political activists, and theologians to entertainers and sports stars. For instance, the poet Franz Dörfl was an influential figure in the twentieth century German art scene, while the astronomer and physicist Alfred Dörfl was among the pioneers who developed modern astrophysics.
The presence of the Dörfl surname could be found scattered throughout Germany and its neighbouring countries throughout the 20th century. However, many emigrated to different parts of the world during the mid- to late-1900s, resulting in the name being adopted by people in countries such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. Dörfl family members today can be found in diverse fields such as academia, politics, business, the military, and the arts.
To this day, the precise origin and meaning of the Dörfl surname remains a mystery, offering an intriguing glimpse into the distant past of a family who have left an indelible mark on their cities, countries, and across the globe.
Order DNA origin analysisDörfl: Where does the name Dörfl come from?
The last name Dörfl is quite common throughout Germany and the surrounding countries. In Germany, the name is currently most commonly found in the eastern part of the country, in the states of Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Bavaria. Outside of Germany, the name Dörfl is especially popular in Austria, with a large population in Vienna, as well as a concentration of Dörfl surnames in Burgenland. In Switzerland, the name is especially found in the cantons of Thurgau and St. Gallen. In other European countries, such as France and the Netherlands, the name is much less common.
Outside of Europe, Dörfl is only rarely encountered. There have been reports of the surname in Australia, though this is likely due to recent immigrants. The name can also be found in the United States and Canada, although in much smaller numbers than in Europe.
Overall, the Dörfl surname is traditionally common in German-speaking areas, especially in parts of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is much rarer outside of these areas, though it does exist in scattered pockets all over the world.
Variations of the surname Dörfl
Dörfl is a German surname originating from the Middle High German word mervel, meaning village. It is commonly found throughout Germany and Austria, as well as other countries with German-speaking populations such as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg. Variants of this surname include Dürfl, Dörrfl, Dörrflein, Dürflein, Dörfel, Dörfling, and Dörfol. Surnames of the same origin include Dorff, Dorfly, Dopfle, Dorfel, Dopfel, Dorflingen, Dorfmeyer, and Dorfer.
Dorff is the most common variation of the surname, which is most commonly found in the Netherlands and Belgium. This variant is also found in the United States: in Maryland, Virginia, and parts of the Midwest. The variant Dorfly is most commonly found in Bavaria, Germany.
Dopfle and Dorfel are more uncommon variants, both originating in Germany, while Dörflingen is native to Switzerland. Döpfel and Döpflingen, along with Dorfmeyer and Dorfer, are all popular in Austria.
Similar surnames of German origin include Dörner, Dörfner, Dürr, Dörrenberg, and Dörnfels. These surnames differ in spelling and meaning, but demonstrate how the structure and spelling of a single surname can change over time.
Overall, Dörfl is a common German surname found throughout German-speaking countries, though variations in spellings and structure are also common.
Famous people with the name Dörfl
- Große-Dörfl, Hans: German track and field athlete, competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics
- Dörfl, Christoph: Austrian actor and director
- Dörfl, Brigitte: Austrian ballerina and actress
- Dörfl, Peter: Austrian businessman and politician
- Dörfl, Gregor: German footballer
- Dörfl, Alfons: Swiss conductor and composer
- Dörfl, Udo: German baseball player
- Dörfl, Rudolf: Austrian historian
- Dörfl, Alexander: Czech sculptor and woodcarver
- Dörfl, Florian: Austrian Paralympic athlete in track and field, winner of three gold medals at the 2000 Paralympics
- Dörfl, Margot: Austrian singer and actress
- Dörfl, Johann: Austrian visual artist
- Dörfl, Tobias: German footballer
- Dörfl, Thomas: Austrian conductor and composer
- Dörfl, Isabelle: German-American singer, actress, and writer