Surname Carl - Meaning and Origin
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read moreCarl: What does the surname Carl mean?
The last name Carl is derived from the given name Carl, which is a Germanic name derived from the Old Norse karll, meaning ‘Free Man’. Carl was also used as a diminutive form of Charles, which itself is a Germanic name derived from a Germanic word meaning ‘strong’ or ‘manly’.
The surname Carl is common not only throughout Germany, but also in parts of Scandinavia. It arose independently in several different places and evolved over time, leading to several minor variations such as Carlsen, Karlson, and Karsen. During the 19th century, Carl was adopted as a last name by immigrants from Germany and Scandinavia who settled in North America, giving rise to the surname Carl in English-speaking countries.
As a surname, the name Carl conveys an image of strength, courage, and independence. It also implies a sense of leadership, kinship, and protection. It has an old-world charm, invoking a sense of nostalgia for a forgotten past, and is even occasionally used as a given name today.
In short, the surname Carl is rooted in a long and complex history of migration, immigration, and exploration. It is a symbolic name that conveys themes of strength, courage, independence, and belonging—all characteristics that many people strive for in life.
Order DNA origin analysisCarl: Where does the name Carl come from?
The last name Carl is most common in certain countries in Central and Eastern Europe. It can also be found in smaller pockets of populations in certain regions around the globe.
In Europe, the Carl surname is most common in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, and Poland. It is also quite common in Denmark and Sweden, and can be found in surrounding countries like Norway, Belgium, and Lithuania.
In the United States, Carl is a moderately popular surname among Americans of Germanic ancestry. Statistically, it ranks as the 148th most popular surname in the United States according to the 2000 Census. In addition to those of Germanic heritage, many African Americans have adopted the last name since it is relatively short and easy to pronounce.
Carl can also be found in concentration in parts of South America, particularly the temperate climates of Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. In Mexico, the Carl last name is quite popular in Puebla. In the Middle East, small pockets of the Carl surname can be found in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.
In addition, it is quite common in some African countries, such as Senegal, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
To sum up, the last name Carl is widely spread throughout the world, most prevalent in certain parts of Europe, South America, the United States, and parts of Africa.
Variations of the surname Carl
The surname Carl is a diminutive of the Germanic male name Karl which comes from the Old Germanic word for ‘man’. It has a long and rich history in European countries, and is quite common in many parts of the world today.
In its basic spelling, the surname Carl is found virtually everywhere around the world. Variations include Carle, Carlin, Carll, Caroll, Carlyle, Carrell, Caval, Charle, Charel, Charlea, Charlee, Charleigh, Charley, Charli, Charlie, Charline, Charlot, Charlu, Chelle, Chall, Corll, Karle, Karloff, Karoll, Karoly, Karrey and Kerl.
In many cultures, this name has taken on different spellings and surnames relating to its origin. For example, in Italian it is sometimes spelled Carlo, and its related surnames may include Carlini, Carlozzi and Carloni. In Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries, it often takes the spellings Carlos, Carlo and Carrasco, with its related surnames Carrera and Carvajal. In French-speaking countries, it may be spelled Charlier, accompanied by its related surnames Charpentier, Chalon and Charenton.
Additionally, this name has also evolved into a number of other surnames, such as Carlisle, Carlsmith, Carlton and Carlsen. For Jewish persons, its variations may include Carlinsky, Karlinsky and Karawinsky. In Russia, the surname Karloff is often found.
The endless variations of this name have allowed it to spread across many cultures and flourish in many countries.
Famous people with the name Carl
- Carl Sagan: A renowned astronomer and astrophysicist, Sagan was well-known for his extensive work in astronomy, astrophysics, and annunciated some of the earliest discoveries of exoplanets.
- Carl Reiner: A famous comedian, writer, director, and actor, Reiner was part of the TV show "Your Show of Shows" in 1950 before going on to create "The Dick Van Dyke Show" in 1961, and appearances in such films as "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World".
- Carl Frederick of Prussia: A German nobleman, Frederick was a member of the House of Hohenzollern and was the first Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights.
- Carl Laemmle, Jr.: The president of Universal Pictures from 1929 to 1936, Laemmle Jr. helped oversee the studio's transition into the sound era.
- Carl Lewis: An American Track and Field athlete, Lewis was a nine-time Olympic gold medallist and was voted the "World Athlete of the Century" by the International Association of Athletics Federation.
- Carl Anderson: An American actor, Anderson is best known for his role as Judas Iscariot in the stage and screen versions of the "Jesus Christ Superstar" musical.
- Carl Ferdinand von Freiherr von Marschall: A German general, Marschall was head of the Austrian forces during the Italian War of 1859 and was responsible for planning the attack on the Battle of Magenta.
- Carl Correns: The German botanist and geneticist, Correns is widely credited with rediscovering Gregor Mendel's laws of inheritance.
- Carl Jung: The Swiss psychiatrist, Jung is well-known for his theories of psychological archetypes and the collective unconscious.
- Carl Brashear: The first African-American U.S. Navy master diver, Brashear was known for his determination and stubbornness, which helped him become a highly respected diver and U.S. Navy leader.