Surname Uhle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'U'
Uhle: What does the surname Uhle mean?
The last name Uhle (pronounced ”yool-uh”) has Germanic roots and is thought to come from the Old German words "hohil" or “hula,” meaning “hill” or “knoll.” Historically, it may have been used as a surname for people living close to a hill or knoll, or as a nickname referring to someone who was short or slight.
The earliest known record of the Uhle surname appears in records from the 16th century in the region of Saxony, Germany. During this time, medieval surnames were used to distinguish between people with the same name by using occupational names, nicknames, and geographical indicators. The Uhle surname likely fit into this medieval naming structure as a topographical surname.
Today, the Uhle name is still prevalent in Germany and other German-speaking countries. It usually denotes descendants of ancient Hill dwellers, or of people who once lived near hills. Through the years, Uhles have had a notable presence in German history as mayors, ministers, and theologians.
In other countries, like the United States, the Uhle name is not as common. However, the Uhle family tree has grown to include communities of people from all over the world who share an interesting common story.
Order DNA origin analysisUhle: Where does the name Uhle come from?
The Uhle surname is primarily found in Germany today, with roots that trace back to the Middle Ages. The Uhle family name is derived from the Middle High German word "Uhle," which means "Uhu," the German word for an owl.
The earliest record of the Uhle surname in Germany dates to the 15th century. Since then, the Uhle name has spread across many parts of the country, particularly in the areas of Bavaria, Prussia, and Brandenburg. Today, the Uhle surname is most common in the regions of Bavaria and Saxony. In the rest of Germany, the Uhle name is mostly found in the northeast.
The Uhle name is a popular name in Germany, and it has been adopted by other European countries, Canada, and the United States. In Canada and the United States, the Uhle surname is most predominant in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York; however, it is found in many other states as well.
In Germany today, the Uhle surname is still in common use by citizens of numerous cities and towns across the country. The diverse backgrounds of Uhle’s ancestors, along with geographical mobility over the centuries, means that the Uhle surname continues to be passed down to new generations today.
Variations of the surname Uhle
The surname Uhle is a Germanic and Polish surname derived from the Middle High German word 'Uhle', which was used to refer to an owl. The variants, spellings, and surnames that have the same origin are Uhl, Ul, Uhlich, Uhlmann, Uehle, Ueyle, Uhlichs, Ullman, Ullrich, and Ullricht.
The Uhl variant of the surname is common in Central Europe and can be traced back to the early 13th century. During this time, several branches of the Uhl family were recorded, most of were found in Western Germany. A common place name associated with this variant is Uhlendorf. This was a village on the outskirts of Berlin founded by the Uhl family during the 16th century.
The Ul variant is believed to have originated in the area around present-day Denmark and the Ruhr Valley in Germany. This variant derived its origin from the Middle High German word 'Ulm' which meant 'elm tree'. This variant is most common in Germany, Austria, and Bohemia.
The Uhlmann variant is derived from the Middle High German word 'Uhlemann' which meant 'owl-man' or 'owl-keeper'. This variant is common in eastern Germany and is most prevalent in the Silesia and Saxony regions.
The Uehle, Ueyle, Uhlichs, Ullman, Ullrich, and Ullricht variants are all derived from the same Middle High German word. It is believed that the root word 'Uhl' was adopted into different European dialects which led to the formation of these variants. Uehle is the most common variant among this group, and is the most widely prevalent in Germany and the United States.
The Uhle surname is a product of its Germanic roots and has been in existence for hundreds of years. It is still a common surname in many parts of Europe and the United States and serves to remind us of the generations of people who shared common roots and ancestry.
Famous people with the name Uhle
- Hans Uhle-Wolf: German entrepreneur and industrialist, born in 1874
- Dr. Marjorie Uhle: Professor of psychology and behavioural neuroscience at the University of Montana
- William Uhle: American actor, best known for his role in The Blacklist
- Luke Bryan Uhle: US Navy Chief Petty Officer and Medal of Honor recipient
- Steven Uhle: American artist, filmmaker and winner of the Grand Prix at the Florida Film Festival in 1988
- Ernst Gustav Uhle: German explorer and politician, born in 1857
- Martin Uhle: German theologian and professor, born in 19th century
- Karl Conrad Friedrich Uhle: German doctor and botanist, born in 1853
- Dr. Hermann Uhle: German geographer, born in 1853
- Michael Uhle: German businessman and writer, born in 1955