Surname Fetterlein - Meaning and Origin

Fetterlein: What does the surname Fetterlein mean?

The last name Fetterlein is a German surname of noble origin. It means ‘small fetter’ or ‘little bond’, signifying a family of importance and prominence. During the Middle Ages, the Fetterlein family was a small, titled aristocracy in regions of eastern Germany which included areas of modern-day Brandenburg, Saxony, Silesia and Lower Lusatia. The surname earned the right to noble titles and arms after distinguishing themselves with bravery in battle and by offering loyalty and service to various dynasties over generations.

Descendants of the Fetterlein family still populate parts of Europe today. In German-speaking countries, the surname is often found with the spelling Fettlerlein. In some countries, the spelling of the surname has also been simplified to Fetzerlain, Fittlerlane or even Fettling. In some contexts, the title of Freiherr has also been adopted with the surname, which translates to ‘free nobleman’.

An illustrative example of a Fetterlein-related family prominent in history include the German noble, Feldzeugmeister Johann Manfred von Pöllnitz-Fetterlein, who was an important figure in the 14th century Holy Roman Empire. He was a close associate of the King of Bohemia, blindly devoted to the Emperor and earned many titles in recognition of his loyalty, including the title of Prince of Malvasia of the House of Fetterlein.

Fetterlein: Where does the name Fetterlein come from?

The last name Fetterlein is a surname of German origin and is found most commonly in Germany and other countries with German-speaking populations. Fetterlein is a relatively rare name, and is most often found within Germany itself.

In Germany, Fetterlein is most common in the eastern states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringen. In the western parts of Germany, the name is found far less often due to the historical split between East and West Germany.

Because of Germany’s historic immigration patterns, occurrences of the last name Fetterlein can also be found in other countries in central and eastern Europe including Austria, Switzerland, and Poland. Fetterlein is also a fairly common name in the United States due to the large influx of German immigrants into the country during the 19th century.

It is likely that the Fetterlein family first originated in Germany, however their roots likely trace back even further and could be linked to either Austria or Switzerland. The name Fetterlein has likely been in use in Germany and the surrounding regions for hundreds of years, and is one of countless German-derived surnames. Today, it is common in eastern parts of Germany and can also be found in the US, Switzerland, and other countries.

Variations of the surname Fetterlein

The surname Fetterlein is a German variant of the English surname Fetterly, and is an occupational surname derived from the Middle English word 'fetter', meaning 'linksmith'. It is most commonly found as Fetterlein in Germany, but there are other derivatives of the same surname, including Feitel, Fetler, and Feitl.

The spelling of the name is sometimes seen as Vedderlein, Vitrielin, and Vödderlein, and is also found as Siedlerin in some parts of Germany, which is an archaic spelling meaning 'small one who lives in a settlement'.

Variants of the name found in other countries include Fetterelli and Fetterelli in Italy, Feterl in Croatia, and Fetral and Fedral in the Czech Republic. In the United States, the surname is is usually spelled Fetterly or Fetterlee. The surname Fetterlee is the most common variant found in the United States, but other variations have been found in census records, including Fetterly, Feterl, Fetter, Fetterhoff, Fetterly, Fetlar, Fetler, Fetterman, Feterle, and Fetters.

The surname Fetterlein is found across the world, with variations of the name spelling in many different countries. It remains a popular surname today and can be found in many different countries.

Famous people with the name Fetterlein

• Christian Fetterlein: A Danish singer and television judge
• Jakob Fetterlein Jørgensen: Danish professional football player
• Johan Fetterlein: Swedish figure skater
• Ditlev Fetterlein: Danish actor
• Carola Fetterlein: German model and TV presenter
• Gabriele Fetterlein: German opera singer and actress
• Micha Fetterlein: German TV presenter and sports agent
• Alfred Fetterlein: Austrian Olympic javelin thrower
• Christian Fetterlein: German banker
• Wolfgang Fetterlein: German baritone
• Kurt Fetterlein: German author and playwright
• Anton Fetterlein: Austrian ceramic painter
• Hermann Fetterlein: German Olympic rower
• William Fetterlein: Danish entrepreneur and investor
• August Fetterlein: German artist

Other surnames

Fetterle