Pohl

Pohl is a surname of German origin. It is found in German-speaking countries and among communities abroad that trace their ancestry to German-speaking regions. As with many German surnames, the exact origin can vary by family; it may be toponymic, deriving from a place name such as a settlement or landscape feature, or it could originate from a descriptive nickname or occupation used in earlier centuries. The name has spread beyond Germany through migration and is now found in various countries, often carried by descendants of German and Central European emigrants.

In terms of distribution, Pohl remains relatively common in Germany and is also present in Austria and Switzerland. Across North America and other parts of the world, bearers of the name reflect the broader patterns of German diaspora, with communities integrating into local cultures while maintaining the surname.

Notable individuals with the surname include Frederik Pohl (1919–2013), an American science fiction writer and editor known for his influential contributions to the genre, including the novel Gateway and a long career as an editor and facilitator of science fiction. The surname has appeared across diverse fields, illustrating the broad dispersal and varied accomplishments of people who bear it.