Surname Ölhorn - Meaning and Origin
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Ölhorn: What does the surname Ölhorn mean?
The last name Ölhorn is a patronymic surname which roughly translates to “son of Ölh”. It is most commonly found in Denmark, Sweden and Germany and is believed to derive from the Old Norse elements öl, which means “ale” or “brew” and horn, which refers to a “cup”, “goblet” or “cornucopia”. It is likely that the name may have originally been an occupational surname referring to someone who worked in the brewing or hospitality industry.
The last name Ölhorn may also have also evolved from the nickname “Ölh”, referring to someone who was jovial and had a fondness for beer. This nickname was likely then passed on to the person’s children, creating the Ölhorn surname.
In Denmark, the Ölhorn family is believed to have originated in South Jutland, where it is thought that the surname was brought over by immigrants during the Viking age. The earliest recorded example of the name is believed to be a man named Brun Ölhorn, who was born in the village of Karboys near Aalborg in 1389. In Germany, members of the Ölhorn family have become prominent in the farming industry, while in Sweden the surname is mainly associated with universities, scientific research and the arts.
Today, the surname Ölhorn can be found all over the world, but still remains quite rare. Despite its origins in the brewing industry, the name has come to represent a person of strong character, with a creative and open-minded approach to life.
Order DNA origin analysisÖlhorn: Where does the name Ölhorn come from?
The last name Ölhorn is primarily found in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, as well as some other Scandinavian countries, primarily due to the fact that they are a common Nordic surname.
The name "Ölhorn" comes from two low German components: 'öl' meaning "ale" or "beer" and "horn" a reference to a drinking vessel. This combination of words could refer to a family production of beer, or other alcoholic beverages, or a professional occupation related to the making of beer.
The geographical distribution of the name, however, is not limited to Scandinavian countries as it can also be found in Germany, Poland, Finland, Latvia, and Estonia. In parts of the United States and Canada, the surname has been anglicized to become "Elhorn."
Today, the last name people with the name Ölhorn can be found all over the world, even though the highest concentration of people with that name are of Scandinavian descent. People with the surname Ölhorn may also trace their heritage back to German, Polish, Finnish, Latvian, and Estonian families as well.
Variations of the surname Ölhorn
The surname Ölhorn is a variant of many different surnames and spellings. These variations can stem from many different countries and regions as many people with this surname moved from place to place throughout the years.
The most common spellings are Ölhorn, Olhorn, Olhorne and Ellhorn. As Germanic surnames, these spellings would primarily be found in Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Germany. As people moved around, the surname could have traveled with them, causing slight variations in spelling. The closest variants include Ellhorne, Ellhorne, Elhorne, Ellhorne, Elhurne, Eolhurn, Olhourn, Olhurn, Elhurn, Elhurne, Eolhurne, Elhurns, and Elhorn.
The variants of Ölhorn are indicative of the surname's long and varied history. Originally derived from a low German term for "old farm," the surname was adopted by an early farmer who sought to distinguish themselves and their land by this name. As that farmer's descendants moved and spread out to different countries, they adapted the surname to their new homeland language, resulting in these many different variants and spellings. With the help of modern genetics and genealogy, many people with the Ölhorn surname have reunited with their ancestor's long lost heritage.
Famous people with the name Ölhorn
- Erik Ölhorn: Swedish architect
- Jonathan Ölhorn: Swedish Handball Player
- Mathias Ölhorn: Swedish footballer
- Agneta Ölhorn: Swedish discus thrower
- Carl Julius Ölhorn: Swedish geologist
- Olof Ölhorn: Swedish actor
- Thomas Ölhorn: Swedish skier
- Ulf Ölhorn: Swedish photographer
- Linda Ölhorn: Swedish ice dancer
- Martin Ölhorn: Swedish opera singer