Surname Stirzl - Meaning and Origin
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Stirzl: What does the surname Stirzl mean?
The last name Stirzl is of German origin and can be traced back to the medieval region of Lower Austria. It is derived from the Middle High German term “stirze,” meaning an upright stake, or post, and refers to a person who lived near an upright post that served as the boundary of a village or as a village marker. This surname is sometimes spelled Stirzel, Sterzl, or Stirzle, and is still quite common among Austrian families.
The Stirzl family is said to have originated in the village of Streitau, in Tyrol, located along the Inn River in current day Austria. The town's name is derived from the German word “straite” meaning “straight” and is believed to be the origin of the Stirzl last name.
Today, the Stirzl family is well-represented throughout Europe, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. This family has had a long-standing role in the region's cultural landscape as makers of traditional instruments such as yodels and flutes.
Directly descendants of the Stirzl family are noted for their strong traditions, crafts, and values that have been passed down from generation to generation, some of which remain to this day. Many of them hold an intense pride in their heritage and lasting legacy. Despite the changing faces of the world, the Stirzl family name continues to be an integral part of the European family tree.
Order DNA origin analysisStirzl: Where does the name Stirzl come from?
The last name Stirzl is found mainly in Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. It derived from a medieval noun meaning "rod or stalk,” which was used to describe the origin of a family. Stirzl was originally a patronymic surname, meaning it was derived from the first name of a father or ancestor.
It first appeared in the records in the late medieval period of the Holy Roman Empire in Germany in the 14th and 15th century, with Stirlzen, Stuerzel, Stuerzell and Stirzel listed among the earliest recorded examples. The most prominent members of this family were Count Johann Stirzl, a diplomat who represented the Holy Roman Emperor at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I of England, and Johannes Stürzel, a courtier in the service of Emperor Rudolf II.
Today, Stirzl is still quite common in the countries of its origin. In the Czech Republic, it is the 873rd most common surname, with an estimated 2,300 people bearing the name. In Slovakia, it is the 354th most common surname and is estimated to be held by around 5,000 people. In Poland, it is the 967th most common surname, with an estimated 1,200 people bearing it.
In the US, Stirzl is much less common. According to the 2020 US Census, there were only around 52 people with the last name Stirzl living in the country. It is thus one of the rarest surnames in the United States, appearing at position #47,390 on the list of most common surnames.
Variations of the surname Stirzl
The surname Stirzl is a variant of the names Stirzle, Steirzler, and Stürzle. The variants of the name change throughout history, offering a glimpse into the development of the surname over time.
The variants are derived from Middle High German words that mean a “road trader” or a “wagoner”. The root of the word, “Stürz”, is the same for various European-based spellings, as well as similar sounding names, like Stürzl, Steirlz, Stivali, Stival, Stivale, Stievale, and Stirlin.
As is common when passed through generations, the surname has seen phonetic alteration and spelling change, such as Sturzle, Stirzle, Strzle, Steirzle, Steirzler, Stirl, Stirrl, Stirli, Störzlier, Storzler, Strzler, Steirzl, Störzl, Steirzili, and Strzlin. In some cases, the name has been split into two different surnames, such as Startz or Startzli.
In addition to the variants, the Stirzl surname is also found in Austria and New England as well as in many spellings of the same names in other languages such as Strzl in German-speaking countries and Steirzler in Vienna, Germany.
The Stirzl surname is a common, but sometimes difficult to locate, name. Its numerous variations provide insight into the various stages of the surname's development in different countries and time periods.
Famous people with the name Stirzl
- Hanna Stirzl: an Austrian politician and entrepreneur, known for her involvement in technology and her advocacy for gender equality.
- Lucas Stirzl: an American actor, best known for roles in the films "Repo Man" and "Death Race".
- Roman Stirz: an Austrian downhill mountain bike racer, who is a two-time world champion.
- Jakob Stirzl: an Austrian Alpine skier and ski instructor, who has competed in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.
- Schwarzel Stirzl: an Austrian sculptor, painter and illustrator, known for surrealist art works.
- Friedrich Stirzl: an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, who is best known for his research on early mental illness detection and treatment.
- Tom Stirzl: an American television presenter and weather expert, known for his appearances on the popular network show "The Weather Channel".
- Michael Stirzl: an Austrian film director, whose debut feature film "The Wooden Harvest" was widely acclaimed.
- Gregor Stirzl: an Austrian politician, who served as Minister of Public Health from 2003 to 2008.
- Maximilian Stirzl: an Austrian media entrepreneur, who is the co-founder and chairman of the media company "Stirz-Media GmbH".