Surname Juhl - Meaning and Origin

Juhl: What does the surname Juhl mean?

The surname Juhl is of Danish origin. It is a patronymic name derived from the Old Norse personal name "Júl", which means "Christmas." This indicates that it may have originally been used as a byname or nickname for someone born around Christmas or had a significant connection with this period. Over time, it became a familial name passed down through generations. The name is quite common in Denmark and other Scandinavian countries, reflecting the region's historical usage of patronymic surnames (names based on the father’s first name). Although the exact historical origin is not defined, the surname Juhl, like many other surnames, served as a crucial identifier during the era when communities began to expand and individuals needed more distinct identification than their first names.

Juhl: Where does the name Juhl come from?

The last name Juhl is most common in Germany and Denmark, but it is present in many other countries. According to World Names Public Profiler, Juhl is a relatively common surname in Germany, appearing in 27 out of 898 surveyed municipalities and reaching a concentration of 0.33%. In Denmark, it is also a common surnamed, appearing in 79 out of 395 surveyed municipalities and reaching a concentration of 0.45%.

Beyond Germany and Denmark, Juhl remains a fairly widespread surname. In the United States, it is Verizon's 1000th most common surname, appearing in 0.007% of people. It is also present in the Netherlands, appearing in 0.0049% of the population. Further, it is present in Hungary, appearing in 0.0021% of the population.

Researchers have also suggested that Juhl is a toponymic surname, derived from the word "juhl" meaning "meadow, pastures." This may suggest that the name is primarily localized to northern and eastern Europe, where meadow and pastures are more plentiful than in other parts of the world.

In conclusion, the last name Juhl is largely concentrated in Germany and Denmark but can also be found in many other countries, especially northern and eastern Europe. Its prevalence may also suggest its toponymic origin, referring to meadows and pastures.

Variations of the surname Juhl

The surname Juhl has a variety of spellings and variants, including Juhlke, Juul, Juhlmann, Juhls, Juhle, Juel, Jual, Youell, and Yuill. The exact origin of the name remains a mystery, although many believe it was likely derived from the German word "johl" which is defined as a sign of approval or joy.

The majority of the variants of Juhl stem from the surname’s original spelling and pronunciation in Germany. In the 19th century, the spelling of the surname in German records began to change, leading to more common spellings and variants. The variations in spelling of the name are thought to be related to dialects and languages of the various regions where the family resided.

The most common spelling of the surname is Juhl, which is the Scandinavian form of the name. Juhl is most commonly found in Denmark and Norway, although it can also be found in Germany and other European countries.

Juhlke is another variant of the name and is found mainly in Germany. In the early 21st century, it is the third most common variant of Juhl in the United States.

The other variants are typically found in smaller numbers in the United States. Juul and Juhlmann are commonly found in Germany, and Juhls is found in Estonia. Juhle, Juall, Youell, and Yuill are variations of the name found in the United Kingdom.

Altogether, there is an array of variants of the surname Juhl in Europe and the United States. But no matter its original spelling, the source of the surname remains the German word "johl".

Famous people with the name Juhl

• Finn Juhl: Danish architect and furniture designer (1912–1989).
• Ulrich Juhl: German actor (1935–2007).
• Mattias Juhl: Danish electronic music artist (born 1964).
• Troels Juhl: Danish cartoonist and illustrator (born 1977).
• Christian Juhl: German professional footballer (born 1993).
• Jeanne Juhl: Danish-American film director, producer, and editor (born 1968).
• Christine Juhl: Danish alpine skier (born 1967).
• Lasse Juhl: Danish professional footballer (born 1988).
• Anders Rønnow Juhl: Danish angel investor and entrepreneur (born 1977).
• Kim Juhl: Danish bassist and singer-songwriter (born 1981).
• John Juhl: American singer-songwriter and bassist in the band Phish (born 1961).
• Asger Juhl Olesen: Danish actor (born 1973).
• Adam Juhl: Danish film director, animator, and screenwriter (born 1977).
• Morten Juhl: Danish handballplayer (born 1949).
• Dorthe Juhl: Danish journalist and broadcaster (born 1961).
• Emily Juhl: Danish former skeleton racer (born 1981).
• Søren Juhl: Danish politician (born 1950).
• Henning Juhl: Danish film editor and director (born 1956).

Other surnames

JuhlianJuhlienJuhlinJuhllianJuhllienJuhlyanJuhlynJuhlyonJuhlyunJuhst