Surname Mäuslein - Meaning and Origin
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Mäuslein: What does the surname Mäuslein mean?
The last name Mäuslein is derived from the German word "Maus," which translates to "mouse" in English. The origin of the surname may have been used to denote an individual as being small or thin like a mouse. The addition of the diminutive suffix -lein ("little") could have been added to denote the small physical stature of the individual or individuals the surname was originally applied to.
Mäuslein is a toponymic surname, meaning that it was originally derived from a place or geographic region. Research suggests that the origin of the name could have originated or been associated with the village Mäus playful in Bavaria. The spelling of Mäuslein could have also been influenced by the area’s dialect, which can often lead to slight variations in name spelling. It is also possible that the surname was derived from another region or different term altogether. For example, it may have been derived from another German word, such as mausling or mäuserich, which mean “little mouse” or “mouse-like.”
Mäuslein is today a surname found primarily in Bavaria, Germany; Austria; Switzerland; the United States; and other German-speaking areas. The name continues to be used today and can be a source of pride for those descended from its original family or families.
Order DNA origin analysisMäuslein: Where does the name Mäuslein come from?
The last name Mäuslein is found mainly in German-speaking regions of Europe. It is particularly common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is estimated that more than 20,000 people in Germany alone bear this last name.
The etymology of the name Mäuslein is uncertain. It may derive from the German word maüs, meaning "mouse", or maus, meaning "sour". Depending on the application, the name could also be translated as "Little Mouse" or "Sour Mouse". It could also come from a personal name meaning "the little one" in Middle High German.
The Mäuslein surname has been found as far back as the 17th century in some parts of Germany. It is possible that the family was originally found in the city of Passau, Bavaria, where the name is still found today. It is also possible that the name is more widespread than what previous records indicate, as some of those bearing the name chose to emulate the “Mäuslein” moniker, rather than using a formal last name.
The surname Mäuslein is still used in German speaking countries today. It is very common in Germany and can be found among not just ethnic Germans, but also many first- and second-generation immigrants living in the region. It is also likely to be found among the German diaspora in other countries, including the United States.
Variations of the surname Mäuslein
Mäuslein is a German surname originating from the Middle High German "Mûselin". The surname can be seen in many different spellings and combinations of the name. Few of these variations include Mousellin, Mauselin, Mauslein, Mausslin, Mausling, Mulsele, Meusle, Mausslein, Meisslein, and Mouslein.
The variants and spellings of Mäuslein depend on where the family has lived in the past. For instance, the spelling of the name is different than its original spelling in some regions. It is known that the spelling has been corrupted in the United States and many other countries due to name changes and other moderations. For example, the spelling “Mausslin” is typically used in the United States, while “Mauselin” is used in German-speaking countries.
Mäuslein's variant spellings often come with varying surnames. Various surnames associated with Mäuslein include Mauselin, Mausslin, Maussell, Meislin, Meisslin, Mausslein, Mousselin, and Mauslinger.
In some cases, the name Mäuslein is occasionally seen spelled as "Mösli" or "Möseli," which is actually a Swiss regional variant for the name. This version of the surname is more likely to be seen in the Swiss region of Appenzell. The name Mäuslein can also take on different forms in other countries, such as in Austria, where it can appear as "Mausl" or "Mäusler". In France, the name is almost always seen spelled as "Mousselin."
Overall, the surname Mäuslein has many spellings and variants which have simply come about from years of emigration and language changes. This means that its many spellings and surnames should all be considered when researching this family name.
Famous people with the name Mäuslein
- Anton Mäuslein (1866–1953), Swiss actor
- Gottfried Mäuslein (1905–1984), German Nazi concentration camp commandant
- Karl Mäuslein (1850–1927), German zoologist
- Diana Mäuslein (born 1956), German actress
- Wilhelm Mäuslein (1871–1951), German-American composer and painter
- Arthur Mäuslein (1881–1961), German status theorist
- Frank Mäuslein (born 1969), German football coach and former player
- Jörg Mäuslein (born 1964), German actor
- Marianne Mäuslein (born 1951), first German female Olympic sailor
- Ruth Mäuslein (1953–2019), German field hockey player