Surname Löhde - Meaning and Origin
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Löhde: What does the surname Löhde mean?
The surname Löhde is of German origin and is derived from a place name. The German word Löhde can refer to a specific type of wetlands or forested area, as these were often the preferred places to settle and start a family. The compound word literally translates to “lee-dune” or “low-dune” depending on the context. It is possible that the Löhde settlers were Original Bürger (citizens) of the historic German village or town located in the area.
The surname Löhde is quite uncommon today and can be found primarily within Germany. Historically, the Löhdes were almost all farmers. It may have been that the soils in the low dunes facilitated farming or fishing in the area that extended from Hessen to the North Sea coast. In recent generations, the Löhdes have become much more mobile as they have spread throughout Germany and even immigrating to other countries.
A prominent member of the Löhde family was Johannes Löhde (1883 -1968), who was a renowned German composer and organist. Another was Gert Löhde (1935-2006), a German politician and Member of the Parliament of Lower Saxony from 1976 to 1991.
The surname Löhde still exists today and its origin and heritage are perpetuated through its significant public figures and everyday citizens alike.
Order DNA origin analysisLöhde: Where does the name Löhde come from?
The last name Löhde is believed to have a German origin, but today it is mainly seen in Scandinavia, particularly in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
In Denmark, the name is found mostly in Jutland, the peninsula west of the larger island of Zealand, of which the capital of Copenhagen is located.
The name is also common in Sweden, especially in the southwestern province of Skåne. The name Löhde was officially registered for the first time in 1767 in a village called Rostkärr in the province of Småland on the east coast of Sweden.
In Norway, the name Löhde is mainly seen in Vest-Agder, an administrative region located in the southernmost part of the country. It is believed that the first person with the last name in Norway was a craftsman named Lars Löhde who arrived in Kristiansand in 1718.
Today, the name is still most commonly associated with Scandinavia, though some people with the last name Löhde can be found elsewhere in Europe or even in the United States. Such individuals may have come to North America with Scandinavian immigrants, or have origins that predate the 19th century immigration waves.
Variations of the surname Löhde
The surname Löhde can take on several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Löhde is the most common version, but other versions include Loehde, Löhden, Loehden, and Lohden.
Löhden is the original form of the surname, derived from a geographical region in north-central Germany and northern Lower Saxony. The spelling Lohmde is also seen, but is probably a variant of Löhde. It is thought that the Lohmde spelling was influenced by the dialect of the region.
Other related surnames include Lowde, Lohse, Lühde, Luehde, and Luede. These variations may be from other countries, as the name originated in Germany. Lowde is a variation of the German spelling Löhde. Lowse is another variation of the same German spelling. Lühde is a French variant, derived from the German Löhde.
The surname is also found in areas of Scandinavia, most likely from emigrants from Germany. In Denmark, the variant is spelled Loede or Løede. In Sweden, the spelling is Loedh or Löedh.
Variations found in America include Lowe and Luhde. These versions are Americanized variants of the German surname, Löhde.
Overall, the surname Löhde can take on several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variations are found in other countries outside of Germany, as well as in America.
Famous people with the name Löhde
- Anja Löhde: German economist and social science theorist.
- Heidi Löhde: German stage and television actress.
- Carl Wilhelm Löhde: German physician and anatomist.
- Christian Löhde: German forest economist and forestry specialist.
- Johann Christian Löhde: German composer and director of music.
- Vince Löhde: German physicist.
- Johannes Löhde: German historian, theologian, librarian, and educator.
- Katharina Löhde: German sculptor and designer.
- Hans Peter Löhde: German politician.
- Wolfgang Löhde: German historian and politician.
- Johannes Löhde: German-Dutch evolutionary psychologist and historian of philosophy.
- Caren Löhde: German actress.
- Winfried Löhde: German Christian Democratic Union of Germany politician.
- Jörg Löhde: German film director.
- Oliver Löhde: German media artist and film producer.
- Peter Löhde: German entrepreneur and managing director.
- Eric Löhde: German-American journalist and author.
- Julia Löhde: German politician, currently Aederal Vice President of the Federal Life Insurance Office.