Osterle (umlaut over the O)

[Schoch]

Wonder if anyone can clear this up for me.

I have this name in my family records (handwritten notes).  However my research shows the name should be Osterlein (Church records from Germany provide this spelling).
I have  also come across other "spelling" variations that include Oesterle/Oesterlein (believe this may have occurred to eliminate the "umlaut" over the "O").

Are all these names the same and how do I account for the extra letters of "in".  I did get some information that Osterle is the male variation of the female version of Osterlein.... is it ?

Confused

Richard

[carinthiangirl]

in this case will Österlein or Osterlein show more the reduction, belittlement at word.
the ending -le and -lein also very typically in Swabian areas.....
example for belittlement:
Kind - child
Kinder - Children
Kinderlein - very small children
and the same names in very old documents often changed at later documents. this also came about that language also changed some over the centuries or persons simply wrote in another way.

orgin for the name can be about Osten - east (person from a more eastern territory?)
östliche Gegend - eastern territory (of village, county, country etc.)
maybe also connection to Ostern - Easter?   
but do not know really. 

the ending - in at german-lingual areas for female was most time only used more colloquial and not often in documents. but still usual at country-side. in any case know it in South-Germany (Bavaria) and Austria, in fact at bavarian language-group. no idea if the other germans still also use.

as you have also a note for "Schoch - Germany (Stuttgart Area)" would guess the name is also from there and this fits for a swabian lastname. it sounds so typically. 
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alemannic-Dialects-Map-German.png
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwaben
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwaben

[Schoch]

Thanks for the information.
So it seems that Osterle(in) will be the same name but a different derivative (not able to put umlaut above the "O" on my computer).

Yes the Schoch/Osterle families are linked in the Ohringen (insert umlaut) area through great grandparents marriage.  So if I refer in my records using Osterle spelling I should be  OK ?


Thanks

Richard (less confused)

[Peonie]

Hi Richard,

when you click on Europe (where this post is located) you will see at the top  "Typing 'foreign' characters e.g. Umlaut". It is quite easy "Ö" is Alt 153 (on number pad).

Oe and Ö are interchangeable. For example in cross words it's usually oe.

The ending -in for females was used in most German states until the 1800s, especially in Church books. Even now, if you live in smaller towns or villages in Bavaria you are a Huberin, Müllerin etc.   

Regards Peonie

[Schoch]

Thanks Peonie,

Kind of guessed about the spelling variations but wanted it confirmed by the experts.

I use a Mac and so far have not been able to create umlauts. "Alt" ("Option" key on the Mac) does not seem to get me the result.

Thanks anyway

Richard

[Peonie]

Hi Richard,

have you tried this: http://mlrc.hss.cmu.edu/links/keyboardhelp.html

Regards Peonie

[Schoch]

Brilliant.. thanks Peonie Ö

[carinthiangirl]

to do it correct at being not able to get an ö you must write oe, like also Peonie stated.
ä = ae
ö = oe
ü = ue

[Schoch]

Thanks both..have just finished amending all my files to reflect the correct usage of Ö.


Richard