Surname Guhl - Meaning and Origin
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Guhl: What does the surname Guhl mean?
Guhl is a surname of German origin, although its specific meaning is not explicitly clear. The most widely held interpretation is that it is topographic in nature, derived from Middle High German "gûl", which refers to a pit or hole. Therefore, the surname could have been initially bestowed upon people who lived by a significant pit or hole. Furthermore, it also could be occupational, representing someone who worked in a pit such as a miner. Alternatively, it could be derived from an old Germanic personal name. However, without detailed research into a specific family's history, it's hard to state the definitive meaning and origin. Like many surnames, its significance can change based on geographical areas and historical context. It's also important to note that the spelling of surnames often changed over centuries due to various factors like migration and illiteracy, influencing its original interpretation.
Order DNA origin analysisGuhl: Where does the name Guhl come from?
The last name Guhl is most common in the German-speaking countries: Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This is due to the Germanic origins of the surname; derived from the term “gugil” which originally referred to someone who had a reputation of being brave and reliable.
In Germany, the surname is most common in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia. It can also be found in the states of Lower Saxony, Hesse, Schleswig-Holstein, and Bavaria, as well as in the city-states of Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen.
In Austria, the name is found mainly in the states of Vorarlberg and Salzburg, as well as in Vienna and Linz.
In Switzerland, it is located in the country’s German-speaking cantons, such as Zurich, Schwyz and Obwalden, as well as in Ticino and Basel-Land.
In the United States, the last name is found predominantly in the states of Pennsylvania and Alaska. Other states with a higher than average population of Guhl’s include Indiana, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey.
Given the Germanic origins of the surname, the name is also found in places with German-speaking populations in other parts of the world, including Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Guhl
Guhl is a common Germanic surname, that may be spelled differently depending on where it originates from. In Germany, as well as other Germanic-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland, the most common variant is Gutl. This variant is found in other areas in the Upper German dialects. Other variations of the surname Guhl include Gohl, Goehl, Gahle, Goel, and Goehle.
Guhl may also be spelled as Guehl, Guhlle, Goehl/Goehle. Guhl is also sometimes written as Guehle, Gohl, Gohlle and Guhle. It is also commonly found as Kuehl, Kuhle, and Gehl. This surname may also appear in records as Gühl, Gühle, Gühlle, Gühlmann, Gühlen and Kühl, among others.
This surname is also known by several variations, depending on the region. In France, the most common spelling is Guehl, and in Poland, it may also be spelled as Goehl or Koehl. The surname may also be spelled Kuehl in Danish and related to Dutch and Scandinavian countries, and Koehl in Spanish. In Hungary, the most common spelling is Gohly.
Variations of Guhl are also found in other countries, such as in the United States, where it may appear as Goehle, Gohl, and Koehl. In the Netherlands, this surname may be spelled Koele or Kole, and in England, Kuehl.
The variants of this surname all originate from the same root, having a common origin in Germanic language. Although the spelling varies from country to country, the surname generally refers to the same basic family line.
Famous people with the name Guhl
- Franz Guhl (1829–1893): German male author and publicist
- Henry Guhl (1837–1923): German male archaeologist, historian, and topographer
- Bruno Guhl (1844–1924): German male professor of Roman literature, archæologist
- August Guhl (1819–1899): German male classical philologist, professor of philology
- Karl Guhl (1835–1898): German male orientalist
- Karl Guhl (1889–1964): German male geologist, paleontologist and stratigrapher
- Wilhelm Guhl (1843–1924): German male classical philologist
- Norbert Guhl (1935–2017): German male professor of Literary Theory, Cultural Studies and German Studies
- Eric Guhl (1790–1865): German male royal master of hounds, lord of the manor, and entrepreneur
- Freimut Guhl (born 1943): German male journalist, author, producer, television presenter, and development aid worker