What is the origin of the last name Augenthaler?

The surname Augenthaler is of German origin. It is derived from a place name, Augsburg, which is a city in southern Germany. The name Augenthaler likely refers to someone who either originated or lived near Augsburg. The word "Augen" in German means "eye," and "Thal" means "valley," so the surname may have been associated with a geographical feature or landmark related to eyes, such as a hill shaped like an eye or a valley with two prominent hills resembling eyes. However, without specific documentation for a particular Augenthaler family, this is just one possible explanation for the origin of the name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Augenthaler

The meaning and origin of the last name Augenthaler

The surname Augenthaler is of German origin, derived from a place name, specifically from a location named Augen Tal, which means "valley of eyes" in German. The name Augenthaler is an occupational surname, originally given to people who lived near or worked at such a location. Over time, as families migrated, the spelling of the surname evolved. Variations of the name include Augenthal, Augenthaler-Schmidt, and Augenthale. The name is predominantly found in German-speaking regions but has also been dispersed through immigration to other parts of the world, such as North America.

Geographical distribution of the last name Augenthaler

The surname Augenthaler is primarily distributed across Central Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. It originates from the German-speaking region, specifically from the Swabian area in southern Germany. Over time, people with this surname migrated to other parts of Europe, North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand, due to factors such as war, religious persecution, economic opportunities, and family reunification. In North America, the highest concentrations of Augenthalers can be found in the United States and Canada, particularly in areas with large German-American communities like Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Ontario. However, it's important to note that the distribution can vary significantly within these regions due to factors such as immigration waves and local assimilation rates.

Variants and spellings of the last name Augenthaler

The surname Augenthaler has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and time periods. Some common variations include Augenthaler, Augenthaler-Schmoll, and Augenthaler-Sautter. These variations can be found in different countries, reflecting the migration of people with this surname. Another variation is Augenthal, which may have been shortened over time. In addition, there are alternate spellings such as Aughenthaller, Aughenthaler, and Augenthaler-Augsburger, among others. These variations highlight the diversity in the way names can be written and pronounced across different regions and cultures.

Famous people with the last name Augenthaler

Prominent individuals with the surname Augenthaler include:

1. Matthias Augenthaler (born 1968), a retired German alpine skier who won two Olympic gold medals and three World Championship titles in the 1990s.
2. Markus Augenthaler (born 1975), a former German footballer who played as a defender for clubs like Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Borussia Dortmund.
3. Andreas Augenthaler (born 1980), a retired German footballer who was a midfielder for clubs such as VfB Stuttgart, TSV 1860 Munich, and Karlsruher SC.
4. Christoph Augenthaler (born 1973), a former Swiss ice hockey player who competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics and won multiple national titles with HC Davos.
5. Thomas Augenthaler (born 1963), a German economist, politician, and member of the Christian Social Union who served as Minister-President of Bavaria from 2007 to 2008.

Genealogical research on the last name Augenthaler

The surname Augenthaler originates from Germany and is derived from the Old High German "aguz" meaning "edge" or "sharp" and "tal" meaning "valley." It was typically given as an occupational name for someone who lived near a sharp valley or who worked in a valley where the soil was particularly rocky. The earliest known recorded spelling of the name dates back to 1476, when Conrad Agentalter was listed in the archives of Wurzburg, Bavaria. Throughout history, the family has had a presence in various parts of Germany, such as Swabia and Baden-Wuerttemberg, with notable individuals including Johannes Augenthaler (1754-1827), a prominent German painter from Ulm, and Dr. Martin Augenthaler (1908-1986), a German pediatrician who made significant contributions to medical research. Today, the Augenthaler family has spread across the world, with notable descendants in countries such as Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.

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NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

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