hendler

Hendler is a surname of German origin, commonly considered a variant spelling of Händler, the German word for merchant or dealer. As an occupational surname, it originally referred to a person who worked as a trader or merchant in a medieval marketplace. The form Hendler arose through transliteration and regional spelling variations, particularly where the umlaut over a is replaced with an "e" or where diacritical marks are dropped. This pattern—changing or omitting umlauts in German-derived names—is seen in many surnames that migrated to English-speaking countries and to Jewish communities.

Geographic distribution and usage reflect its Germanic roots and diaspora history. The name occurs in German-speaking countries and among populations with German or Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, including communities in the United States, Canada, Israel, and parts of Europe. It is less common than Händler but is a recognized variant in genealogical and onomastic contexts.

Pronunciation of Hendler typically follows conventions of the local language, but in many Anglophone contexts it may be pronounced as it is written, without a distinctive umlaut sound. Spelling variants are most often encountered in historical records, immigration documents, and family genealogies.

See also: Händler, the original German form of the name, and other occupational surnames that arose from trade professions. The name Hendler thus reflects a historical link to mercantile activity and the broader German linguistic heritage, carried into modern times by families and individuals around the world.