Surname Pihl - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Pihl: What does the surname Pihl mean?
Pihl is a surname of Scandinavian origin, coming from the Old Norse personal name 'Pell'. It was popular amongst the ancient Norse people of Scandinavia who inhabited what is now Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The meaning of the name is most often related to 'trust', 'confidence', and 'dedication'.
In modern Scandinavia, the name is found most frequently in Denmark, where it is the ninth most popular surname in the Danish population. It is also one of the most common surnames in Finland and Sweden.
Throughout the world, the last name Pihl is found in many countries, suggesting there has been some migration of the name out of Scandinavia. In the US, many immigrants from Scandinavian countries, who changed their names to conform to the local custom, brought the name with them.
Given the meaning of the name, it can suggest the people named Pihl are very trustworthy and dependable. Many people have said their experience with someone with the last name Pihl will include them having a strong sense of loyalty, integrity, and commitment. They are believed to be reliable friends and valuable partners.
The name Pihl continues to be enjoyed by many across the world to this day, and it is sure to remain a strong part of the Nordic heritage and influence for many more years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisPihl: Where does the name Pihl come from?
The last name Pihl is most common today in Scandinavia, especially in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The name is an old Norse name derived from "pihl" which some believe to mean “marshy meadow”. In the 1800s, many of the Pihl families who lived in Scandinavia migrated to the United States, particularly in the Midwest.
In Denmark, records of the Pihl family date back to the 15th century, and in Norway, Pihls are first documented from the 16th century. In modern day Norway, the name is still relatively common in the southeastern and southwestern areas, particularly in Buskerud, Telemark, and Akershus.
In Sweden, Pihl is most common in the provinces Östergötland and Södermanland. At this time, it’s estimated that around 4,000 people in Sweden have the name Pihl.
In addition to the large Scandinavian population, Pihl is also common in Canada, Iceland, Germany, and the Netherlands. In the United States, the highest concentration of Pihl is in the states of Michigan, Oregon, New York, California, and Washington, where it’s estimated that about 900 Pihls live.
Clearly, the Pihl name has a long and storied history in Scandinavia and they can still be found in large numbers in the region today.
Variations of the surname Pihl
The surname Pihl is an uncommon surname, and has many variants, spellings, and later surnames that have developed from the same origin.
Variants of the surname Pihl include Pihlajaniemi, Pilo, Pihlman,Pihlaaja, Pihla, Pilomaki, Pehla, Pail, Pihlo, Pilke, and Pihel.
Spellings of the surname Pihl include Pilo, Pihl, Pihlman, Pihlo, Pilomäki, Pehela, Pihlaaja, and Pihlajaniemi.
Later surnames with the same origin as Pihl include Pihlaviita, Pihlgren, and Pihlasalo.
The surname Pihl is derived from the Finnish word pihlaja, meaning rowan tree. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname likely lived in a place with lots of rowan trees.
Pihl is also a topographic surname, referring to someone who lived near a lake or a river. Some historical records of the surname have the spelling Pihlo, meaning to ply within rapids. This could refer to someone who lived near rapids or was a boatman on a river, traversing dangerous waters.
Pihl has also been found as a habitational surname, referring to someone from a place called Pihlajaniemi, a district in southern Finland.
In conclusion, the surname Pihl is thought to have originated in Finland. The origins of the surname can be traced back to the Finnish word pihlaja, and has many variants, spellings, and surnames that developed from the same origin.
Famous people with the name Pihl
- Mona Pihl: Mona Pihl is a Norwegian actress. She has played the role of imprisoned neo-Nazi in the 2019 film Skin, for which she received critical acclaim and a Bodil Award nomination for Best Actress.
- Ola Pihl: Ola Pihl is a former footballer who played a defender for Strømsgodset IF and Norway’s national football team.
- Kato Pihl: Kato Pihl is a Denmark-based theatre actor who has starred in numerous productions throughout his career. He is also known for his work in the Danish crime drama television series “Unit One”.
- Mikkel Pihl: Mikkel Pihl is a Danish former footballer who played as a forward. He is the head coach of two Danish teams, FC Nordsjaelland and FC Midtjylland.
- Kenneth Pihl: Kenneth Pihl is a Danish former professional footballer who played for Aarhus Boldspilklub. He is currently the assistant manager for FC Midtjylland U17.
- Joakim Pihl: Joakim Pihl is a former professional footballer who played for the Swedish clubs IFK Norrköping and IFK Göteborg, and for the Norwegian club Viking FK.
- Anders Pihl: Anders Pihl is a former Danish cross-country skier who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics. He is now a ski coach and is the manager of the Danish Ski Association.
- Anders Pihlblad: Anders Pihlblad is a Swedish professor in economics at Lund University. He also works as a senior adviser to the Swedish government.