Surname Sommerlath - Meaning and Origin
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Sommerlath: What does the surname Sommerlath mean?
Sommerlath is a German surname and is derived from the Middle High German word 'Sommerlade,' which means 'summer barn.' It is thought to have been originally used to describe a person who owned a barn that was used in the summertime.
Sommerlath is also an old aristocratic name, referring to an individual who held the rank of Sovereign or Imperial Lord. This would mean that they had estates and privileges that included collecting taxes, dispensing justice, and administering the forests.
The Sommerlath family has an impressive history, with many prominent members, including Queen consort Silvia Sommerlath of Sweden. Queen Silvia is the wife of King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden, and is the mother of the current reigning monarch, King Carl XVI Gustav's daughter, Crown Princess Victoria. Queen Silvia is a Swedish-Brazilian model who married the King on the 19th of June 1976.
The surname Sommerlath is a proud reminder of the achievements of those who have come before and the staunch sense of pride that the family has for its long and distinguished roots.
Order DNA origin analysisSommerlath: Where does the name Sommerlath come from?
The last name Sommerlath is primarily found in Germany and Brazil. It is a relatively uncommon name and does not appear among the most popular surnames in either country.
In Germany, the last name Sommerlath dates back to as early as the 16th century when a family from the town of Sommerlath in Brandenburg adopted the name. At the time, it was customary for people to take on the name of their home town or village as their last name, and Sommerlath was one of the most common names among Brandenburg farmers and laborers. Today, the last name Sommerlath is still common in the Brandenburg region.
In Brazil, the last name Sommerlath is connected to the German imperial family. It is believed that after World War II, some members of the family fled to Brazil to escape the Russian occupation of Germany. Today, the last name Sommerlath is most common in the city of Rio de Janeiro among the descendants of former German immigrants.
Due to its limited geographical distribution, the last name Sommerlath is considered relatively uncommon. It is estimated that currently less than one thousand people inhabitant on Earth are bearing this name.
Variations of the surname Sommerlath
Sommerlath is a German surname that is found mainly in Germany and Austria, with some additional presence in other German-speaking countries. It is derived from the German word sommer meaning ‘summer’ and lath meaning ‘shire’ or ‘region’. Thus, the name suggests someone from a region that is especially hot or summery.
The variants and alternate spellings of Sommerlath are Sommerlad, Sumerlath, Zummerlath, and Summerlath. It is sometimes spelled with double ‘m’ (i.e. Summerladd, Sumerlad) and with ‘h’ at the end (i.e. Sommerladh, Summerladh).
The surnames derived from Sommerlath are Springlah, Sommerladt, Sommerladen, Summerliden, Zummerheit, and Zommerliden. They are derived from combinations of other German words related to summer such as springen (to jump) and heit (heat).
Sommerlath is a fairly common German surname, and different versions of it have been passed down through multiple generations. The surname is still in use today, and those who bear it are likely to have some relatives who have lived in the same area for a long period of time.
Famous people with the name Sommerlath
- Great-grandFatemeh Sommerlath: first wife of the former King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf.
- Queen Silvia of Sweden (formerly Frau Sommerlath): wife of the current King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf.
- Carl Philip, Prince of Sweden: son of the current King and Queen of Sweden.
- Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden: daughter of the current King and Queen of Sweden.
- Zarah Leander: a famous Swedish actress during the 1930s and 1940s. She was born Carin Sofia Magdalena Sommerlath.
- Ola Rapace: a Swedish actor, born Per Olof “Pär” Ola Rapace Sommerlath.
- Eva Sommerlath: Swedish figure skater.
- Marion Sommerlath: German writer.
- Elke Sommer: Actress and singer born as Elke Baronesse von Schletz-Sommer.
- Berthold Sommerlath: industrialist and father of Queen Silvia of Sweden.