Find out how popular the last name Spühler is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Spühler.

Spühler, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Spühler surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Spühler in America

Spühler is the 141788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Spühler surname appeared 108 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Spühler.

The history of the last name Spühler

The surname Spuehler is believed to have its origins in central Europe, specifically within the regions that are now modern-day Switzerland and Germany. The name likely emerged around the 14th or 15th century, a period marked by considerable movement and settlement in these areas. The surname appears to be derived from a term related to a geographical feature or occupational activity, which was a common practice in surname formation during medieval times.

The German language includes the old word spielen or its older variant spael, which means to "play" or "entertain." It is possible that Spuehler could have originated from an occupation related to musicians or entertainers. Alternatively, the presence of the common suffix -ler, often indicating a person from a specific place or region, suggests it might be connected to a locale where such activities were prominent. There is also a possibility that it is derived from the word Spule, meaning "spool" in German, denoting someone who worked with thread or yarn.

Medieval records from the regions along the Rhine Valley and into Swiss cantons indicate the earliest documented appearances of variations of the surname. By the late 1500s, records from Zurich and Basel illustrate the use of similar surnames, such as Spühler or Spuhler. A notable entry in the Basel city archives from 1587 mentions a Conrad Spühler, a weaver by trade, highlighting the possible professional ties the name had.

In the 17th century, the Thirty Years' War led to widespread displacement and migration, which caused the dispersion of families bearing this surname. Records from this period show individuals like Hans Spuehler, born in 1612, who emigrated to escape the ravages of war and ended up in what is now the Alsace region of France.

By the 18th century, archival documents, such as those kept in local parish records, mention a Johann Spühler, a merchant operating in Zurich, born in 1735 and died in 1802. His business interactions across the European continent underscore the mobility and prominence that some bearers of the surname achieved.

In the 19th century, with the wave of European emigration to the Americas, some families with the surname Spuehler can be found in the immigration records of the United States. Personal accounts from Ellis Island identify Fredrick Spuehler, who arrived in New York in 1853. He later settled in the Midwest, contributing to the establishment of various German-American communities.

Another prominent person from the 19th century was Matthias Spuehler, born in 1824 and a notable academic in Heidelberg, who contributed significantly to the field of mathematics and served as a dean in the University of Heidelberg from 1868 to 1875. His works in the realms of algebra and geometry were influential and remain part of academic curricula in the region.

In conclusion, the surname Spuehler has a rich history rooted in Central Europe, influenced by occupation, geographical migration, and historical events. From skilled weavers like Conrad Spühler in the late 1500s to prominent academics like Matthias Spuehler in the 19th century, the name has traversed continents and centuries, capturing the diverse heritage and contributions of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Spühler

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Spühler.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Spühler was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Spühler was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Spühler, please contact us.

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