Surname Löcklin - Meaning and Origin
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Löcklin: What does the surname Löcklin mean?
The German surname Löcklin has a variety of possible meanings. The most likely is that it is derived from Middle High German words meaning "lock," as in a lock of hair or a lock on a gate. There is even the possibility that it came from a nickname for someone who habitually wore a padlock necklace. It is possible that the name is related to the verb "lösen," which means "to open," therefore meaning someone who could open locks with ease.
A more humorous take on the surname would be the old German word "Löcklein," which translates to "little lock," meaning that someone who was diminutive in size was given this name.
Löcklin may also be an abbreviation of certain other surnames, such as “Löffelock” (“little spoon”) and "Löwenhöllein" (“little lion’s den”). Ultimately, though, all of these possible explanations come down to the fact that this is a toponymic surname, derived from a German word or phrase that was then adopted by various families over the years. It may have originally been used to identify a person from one particular area or a family from a particular region, but its true origins are lost to time.
Order DNA origin analysisLöcklin: Where does the name Löcklin come from?
The last name Löcklin is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries and regions of Europe, especially throughout parts of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also present in some of the surrounding countries like the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, and parts of Italy.
The surname comes from Middle High German and was derived from a term meaning “lock-maker”, likely in reference to a type of medieval locksmith. During the Middle Ages, it was a relatively common name in what was known as the Rhenish Palatinate and Baden regions of Germany. Later, it would spread to some of the other German-speaking regions within Europe.
Today, the surname is among the more common surnames in some of the major German-speaking cities, like Vienna, Berlin, and Munich. It is also in the top 25 of the most common last names in Switzerland. According to a 2019 report, it is the 19th most frequent family name in Austria, where it is concentrated mainly in Tyrol and Vorarlberg.
The last name Löcklin is also found in a scattered way throughout some parts of the United States, mainly due to the large influx of German immigrants during the 19th century. There is even a small Löcklin Park located in the town of Los Angeles, California.
Overall, it is safe to say that the last name Löcklin is most commonly found within German-speaking parts of Europe, with a small presence also found in the United States.
Variations of the surname Löcklin
The surname Löcklin is a German and Swiss variant of the Christian name Locklin. It is used as an occupational surname referring to a locksmith. The primary spellings of the name are Löcklin and Locklin, though it is also commonly seen spelled as Löchlin, Lochlin, Lochlynne, Locklen, Lockling, and Locklyn.
The variants of Löcklin can be found mainly in German speaking regions such as Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Families with this surname will likely have roots in the regions where these languages are spoken. It is also common in regions of the United States that had strong German influences such as Pennsylvania where many Palatine Germans settled in the 18th century.
Other surnames with the same origin as Löcklin include Lücklein (distinctly German spelling) and the Dutch spellings Loeck, Loecken, Loek, and Lok. The origins of these “Loe-” family of surnames likely come from the Middle High German locheln and Low German lockeln which mean “to lock” or “to close with a latch.”
The Löcklin surname may also be seen as an Anglicized spelling of the Irish surname O’ Lochlainn meaning “descendant of Lochlann” a byname of Scandinavian origin for ancestors of Norse or Scandinavian descent. The surname is still common in Ireland especially in counties such as Galway, Mayo, and Kerry.
The surname Locklin is also an Irish variant of the English surname Lockinge which is derived from the locative name Lockinge meaning “the enclosure of the family or followers of a man called Locke.”
Famous people with the name Löcklin
- Lars Löcklin, Swedish national ice hockey team goaltender
- Christian Löcklin, German actor
- Wilhelm Löcklin, German composer
- Kari Löcklin, Finnish actress
- Kirsten Löcklin, Danish radio host and stand-up comedian
- Jan Löcklin, Finnish actor
- Mathias Löcklin, Swiss-German artist
- Alexandra Löcklin, Swedish singer
- Harry Löcklin, Swiss-Italian actor
- Peter Löcklin, Swiss-German actor