Surname Voitl - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
Voitl: What does the surname Voitl mean?
The last name Voitl is likely of German origin, derived from a variant of the German surname “Wohlt,” which itself is derived from the Old German phrase “woht el” meaning “good will.” Variant spellings of the name include Voitel, Wohtol and Wohlt.
The surname may have originally referred to a family of people who were peaceable, friendly, and brought goodwill to all they interacted with. It is also possible that those who carried the name were relieved of their tax burden by the European aristocracy. It is known that in Medieval Germany, those families deserving of praise, who saved their liege from harm and danger, would be rewarded grants, or “voits.”
Today, the last name Voitl continues to remains popular in Germany and Austria, as well as among immigrants from those nations who moved to the United States in the late 19th century. The name has also spread to places all across Eastern Europe.
In the United States, the Voitl name is associated with great entrepreneurial spirit and is associated with a host of successful family-run businesses. The Voitl name also graces many high-achieving individuals in a variety of professions, ranging from professional athletes to scientists and authors.
Regardless of its origin, the last name Voitl now carries with it the air of goodwill associated with its original meaning and a proud heritage of hard work and success.
Order DNA origin analysisVoitl: Where does the name Voitl come from?
The last name Voitl is most commonly found in the German-speaking world. In Austria, it is the 98th most common surname. It is also quite common in Germany, where the name ranks 137th out of all surnames. The last name Voitl is also found in Switzerland, particularly in the canton of Schaffhausen.
An examination of public records reveals that the Voitl family has been established in various countries across Europe for centuries. The earliest records show the family in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic, as far back as the 16th century. The family then expanded to Austria, and from there to Germany, Switzerland, and the neighboring countries.
In more recent times, the surname has spread further afield. For example, many people with the Voitl surname are found in the United States, largely due to immigrants from the German-speaking world who settled in the US in the 19th and 20th centuries. Canada is also home to many Voitls, due to a large number of German settlers in the 19th century.
The last name Voitl is associated with many stories and legends, most of them centering around the family's origins in Bohemia. One particularly popular tale involves a heroic ancestor who fought off invading Turks from Vienna in the 16th century.
Today, the last name Voitl is most associated with Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, although members of the Voitl family can be found in many other countries all over the world.
Variations of the surname Voitl
The surname Voitl is an old German/Austrian surname. It is thought to originate from the Czech vocabulary word 'vita', which means 'burden' or 'work load'. The main variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the name Voitl are as follows:
Voitel, Woytl, Woitl, Voitle, Voltl, Voytl, Voicell, Vojt, Vojta, Voytel, Vojtek, Voytek, Wojtas, Voelkl, Voelkel, Fojt, Wojtek, Fojtek, Fojtik, Fojtl, Fojtik, Faytl, Voytila and Voysila.
The primary spelling of the surname Voitl originated from Germany and Austria in the 1500s-1600s. Its related variants and spellings from this time include Woytl, Voitle and Voytl. These variations of the name spread across Europe during this period as people migrated from their native countries.
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, variations of the name made their way to the United States and eastern Europe, such as Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Hungary. Here, the surname took on additional variants (Voelkl, Voelkel), spellings (Vojt, Vojta) and surnames (Vojtek, Voytek, Wojtas, Wojtek, Fojt, Fojtek, Fojtik, Fojtl). Variations of the surname also moved to Canada and South America.
In more modern times, the name has been further modified with spellings like Voytila and Voysila. No matter how the surname is spelled, the meaning of 'burden' or 'work load' remains the same.
Famous people with the name Voitl
- Mark Voitl: German footballer who made 124 appearances for FC Bayern Munich between 1983 and 1988.
- Michael Voitl: Austrian former professional figure skater and coach who competed in pairs and single events.
- Martin Voitl: Austrian champion alpine skier who competed in the 1991 and 1995 FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships.
- Peter Voitl: Austrian former professional footballer who made 474 appearances for Veinzel Linz between 1987 and 2003.
- Walter Voitl: Austrian former professional footballer who played for clubs including Linzer ASK and LASK Linz in the early 1980s.
- Michael Voitl: Austrian Paralympic athlete who specialized in skiing events.
- Doris Voitl: Austrian ski mountaineer who competed in a range of events including the World Ski Mountaineering Championships.
- Alfred Voitl: Austrian professional footballer who made 36 appearances for his country.
- Johannes Voitl: German politician representing the CSU party who was elected to the Bundestag in 2009.
- Andreas Voitl: Austrian ski mountaineer who has won several awards at regional and international events and has achieved some impressive results at the World Championships.