Surname Pähr - Meaning and Origin
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Pähr: What does the surname Pähr mean?
The name Pähr is of German origin, derived from the elements ‘pah’ meaning ‘a small area of land or enclosure’ and ‘her’, an Old High German word meaning ‘army’. As such, the name Pähr likely originated to indicate an individual who owned or controlled a small area of land, such as a farm or homestead, and the military and defensive aspect of their assumed position.
The earliest records of the family are dated to the 13th century, when they flourished in their native Silesia in what is now southwestern Poland. The name is also associated with East Prussia, where members of the Pähr family emigrated to in the mid- to late-18th century. By the late 19th century, the name had spread to Switzerland and Austria as well as the United States.
Today, the name Pähr is fairly common, though it is spelled a variety of ways, including Behr, Beer, and Bahr in various parts of Germany. The name is still strongly associated with Silesia and East Prussia, where many descendants of the earliest members of the family still reside. As such, the name invokes a sense of regional pride and a connection to a rich and vibrant cultural heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisPähr: Where does the name Pähr come from?
Pähr is a surname that is most commonly found among families of German, Austrian, Swiss, and other Central European descent. In Germany, it is found mostly in the southern and western regions, primarily near the Rhine, Bavaria, Thuringia, and Saxony. The surname can also be found in countries such as Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic where many German-speaking families moved during the 19th and 20th centuries.
In the United States, the Pähr surname can mainly be found in areas where many German immigrants settled, such as parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The surname also has pockets of higher occurrence in some cities, such as Philadelphia, Seattle, and Chicago.
Given its origin, it is somewhat rarer than common German last names in the Netherlands and Belgium, even though many German-speaking people live there as well. It is also found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where there were waves of German immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Overall, Pähr is not an uncommon surname. It appears in various parts of the world, but has its roots in German-speaking regions of Europe.
Variations of the surname Pähr
Pähr is a German and Swedish surname, originating from the medieval personal name Pähr. It is also found as Pahr, Paehr, Paehrer, Paehl, PAEHLER, PAEHR, and Paehlmann.
The primary spelling for the surname Pähr is Paehr, which was the Old Norse form of the name. This name is mainly found in Southwest Germany, and the surrounding region. It first became popular in the late 16th century, and has since been used as a surname for over four centuries.
The spelling Paehl is mainly used in Denmark and Sweden, and is a contraction of the original form Pähr. It was first used in Scandinavia in the 16th century, and has been used as a surname ever since that time.
The spelling PAEHLER is mainly used in Austria and Bavaria. It is a variant of the spelling Paehr, and was first used in the 17th century.
The spelling PAEHR is also found in Denmark and Sweden, and is a variant of Paehl. It is usually used in Sweden and has been used as a surname since the 18th century.
Lastly, the spelling Paehlmann is mainly used in Germany and Austria. It is a variant of the name Paehl, and was first used in Germany in the 19th century.
Overall, the surname Pähr has many variants and spellings, and has been used as a surname for centuries. It is mostly found in Southwest Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Austria.
Famous people with the name Pähr
- Isabell Pähr: Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter born in Germany
- Ulf Pähr: Swedish actor, television presenter, and author
- Jan Pähr: American actor, director, and producer
- Ingrid Pähr: Swedish theatre and film actress
- Dennis Pähr: German basketball player
- Uwe Pähr: German footballer
- Jörg Pähr: German former weightlifter
- Emanuel Pähr: Swedish former cross country skier
- Lena Pähr: German figure skating coach
- Martin Pähr: Swedish ice hockey player
- Anna Pähr-Sjöberg: Swedish former cross-country skier
- Franz Pähr: German footballer
- Tino Pähr: former German ice hockey player
- Edmund Pähr: Austrian former ski jumper
- Caj Pähr: Swedish former athlete