This interesting surname is of Old German origin, and has two possible derivations, each with the suffix "-er", which can mean "one who works with", when attached to an occupational name, or "dweller at" if attached to a placename. Firstly, the surname may be of locational origin from a place called "Bohl", in Germany. Locational names were originally given as a means of identification to those who left their village or place of origin to settle or work elsewhere. It may also have derived as a nickname for a particularly brave or bold person from the Old German "balda", bold, brave. The surname is first recorded in the late 16th Century (see below) and is also found as "Boehler", "Boler", "Boelert" and "Boehter". Anna Bohler married Christoph Thiele on November 27th 1592 at Chemnitz, Obernermersdorf, Sachsen (Germany), while Aggatha, daughter of Niclass and Dorothea Boelert was christened on December 5th 1598 at Landau in Pfalz Stadt, Bayern. Anna, daughter of Debus Boehler was christened on November 9th 1606 at Konstanz, Oberzell, Reichenau, Bayern (Germany). Elizabeth daughter of Charles and Ann Bohler was christened on August 8th 1830 at St. Giles, Cripplegate, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jacob Bollerer, which was dated June 26th 1586, marriage to Dorothea Huxen at Landau in Pfalz Stadt, Pfalz, Bayern, during the reign of Emperor Rudolf 11, Holy Roman Emperor (1576-1612). Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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