Surname Gierle - Meaning and Origin
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Gierle: What does the surname Gierle mean?
The last name Gierle or "van Gierle" is a Dutch occupational surname, derived from the Middle Dutch words "gier" and "vogel," which both mean "bird". This indicates that the original bearer of the name had a profession related to birds, such as poultry farmer, fowler, falconer, or birdcatcher. The name is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. It is also sometimes spelled as Gierl or Griel.
The name is believed to come from the Low Germanic verb "giern," which means "to create a sound, yell, roar," and may suggest a profession related to hunting, such as a tracker, hunter, or poacher. The related term "gier", which is also found in the surname, means "a mechanism or tool that catches or spreads flying birds," suggesting an occupation related to substances used for capturing birds, such as a bird snares, nets, or traps.
Surnames derived from professions are generally quite old, and Gierle is thought to have first appeared in the 1400s during the Dutch Golden Age. During this period, there was also a large influx of Dutch settlers into Germany, so the name spread far beyond the Netherlands.
Today, the name Gierle is still found across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and even in pockets of the United States. It serves as a reminder of the ancient professions that came before us and the pride of our own national heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisGierle: Where does the name Gierle come from?
The last name Gierle is of Belgian origin and is most commonly found in the eastern region of Flanders, particularly around the cities of Leuven and Gent. Outside of Belgium, Gierles are most commonly found in the Netherlands, France, Germany, and the United States.
In the United States, the cities most associated with the Gierle surname are Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Boston. The highest concentration of individuals with the Gierle surname is found in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, followed by Philadelphia and Chicago.
Internationally, the Gierle surname is most commonly found in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. In Belgium, the surname is concentrated in the Flanders region, and is particularly noticeable in the cities of Leuven and Gent. In the Netherlands, Gierles are primarily found in the provinces of North Holland and Zuid-Holland. In France, the surname is largely associated with the Alsace-Lorraine region and the Pays de la Loire in the southwest.
Overall, the last name Gierle remains strongly associated with Flanders and Belgium, but it is also found in significant numbers in the United States, the Netherlands, France, and Germany.
Variations of the surname Gierle
The surname Gierle is a patronymic name derived from the German source ‘Gierl’, meaning ‘boy’. The spelling variants of this surname are Gierl, Gierlle, Gierle, Gurl, Gurle, and Ghirelli, while the surnames with similar origins are Göhrle, Göhrl, Gherl, Ghirl, Gerle, and Gyrle.
One of the oldest and most well-known Gierle families is found in the Canton of Zurich in Switzerland, and is believed to have descended from the Gierah family, a high-ranking noble House of the late Middle Ages, possibly originating in South Germany. The spelling variants have expanded widely throughout Europe, and in areas of the United States where German immigrants settled.
In the late 1800s, two brothers of the Gierle surname immigrated to the United States from the Canton of Zurich in Switzerland. Their surname was changed to the Anglisized spelling of ‘Gierl’ upon arrival. This spelling can still be found in some parts of the United States. There are several other variations of the surname found in the United States such as ‘Gierle’, ‘Gierlle’, ‘Gerle’, and ‘Ghirl’.
Throughout Europe, the Gierle surname is widely spread and represented in all German-speaking countries and beyond. According to recent censuses, the Gierle surname is not currently one of the most widely spread or common surnames in the world. However, it is found in all parts of the world where German immigrants settled, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, and South Africa.
The surnames Göhrle, Göhrl, Gherl, and Gyrle are also believed to be derived from the same source, even though their spellings differ slightly. These variants can also be found across Europe and in areas of the United States where German immigrants settled.
Famous people with the name Gierle
- Géraldine Gierle, Belgian designer and artist
- Cristina Gierle, Argentine professional rhythmic gymnast
- Philippe Gierle, Belgian cinematographer
- Geert Gierle, player of the Flemish traditional game ulvenhout
- Frédéric Gierle, Belgian politician
- Joao Gierle, Brazilian-born American actor
- Sidonie Gierle, Swiss-born Austrian stage and silent screen actress
- Sonja Gierle, Austrian performance artist and photographer
- Cécile Gierle, Belgian judoka
- Wies Gierle, Dutch artist