Dohrns

Dohrns is a family surname that has its roots primarily in German-speaking regions of Europe. The name is sometimes spelled with an umlaut as Döhrn, reflecting regional phonetic variations. It is believed to stem from a toponymic source, likely referring to a particular village or estate that bore a similar name, or from a Germanic occupational term related to gatekeeping or toll-keeping.

Historical records trace the earliest mentions of the Dohrn name back to the late Middle Ages, with documents from the 13th and 14th centuries found in the archives of Lower Saxony and the Rhineland. Over the centuries the surname spread throughout Germanic territories and later into neighboring countries. In the modern era, demographic data indicate that bearers of the name can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and in diaspora communities in North America and Australasia. The name is relatively uncommon, but it maintains a modest presence in genealogical studies of German surnames.

Prominent individuals with the surname include Hans Dohrn (1849–1917), a German entomologist noted for his contributions to insect taxonomy and for his work at the Natural History Museum in Berlin. Outside the sciences, Maria Elisabeth Dohrn (1902–1984) was an Austrian painter whose canvases explored expressionist themes in the interwar period. Ludwig Dohrn (born 1975) serves as a contemporary figure in the field of environmental science, focusing on climate change modeling within the European Union. These figures illustrate the varied professional fields that bearers of the Dohrn name have entered and contributed to over time.