Surname Brinkel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Brinkel: What does the surname Brinkel mean?
The surname Brinkel is derived from the Dutch word ‘brinkelen’, which means ‘to twinkle’. It is thought to have originally been given to people with connections to the business of jewelry making, as it suggests an association with the sparkling of jewelry and gold.
The spelling of the name has changed various times throughout the centuries, with spelling variations including Brinck, Brinckel, Brinkey, Brinkele and Brinckle. Although it is most commonly found across Europe, some instances of the name have been documented in other locations, including in the United States.
Records of the name can be traced back to the late 13th century, when a man called Gerardus Brinck was recorded in the Dutch county of Gelderland. Over the years, many people with the name Brinkel have contributed to society, such as Professor Henk Brinkel, a Dutch professor of Dutch language and literature. In recent times, some Brinkels have even become famous, such as Dutch television presenter Dane Brinkel, who has developed a number of hit television shows.
To summarise, the surname Brinkel is derived from the Dutch word ‘brinkelen’, meaning ‘to twinkle’. There are numerous spelling variations of the name, and it has been recorded in countries across Europe, as well as the United States. Historical and contemporary individuals with the name Brinkel have been noted for their accomplishments and influence.
Order DNA origin analysisBrinkel: Where does the name Brinkel come from?
The surname Brinkel is most common today in Germany. According to the German-language genealogy research site Verwandt.de, it is the 120,964th most common surname in Germany, with about 5,602 individuals bearing the name.
In addition to Germany, there is a minor presence of the Brinkel name across the world. It is found, though uncommonly, in Austria, Switzerland, the United States, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine.
In the United States, the name "Brinkel" is ranked 76,074th as of the 2020 census. Those surnamed "Brinkel" in the United States are found mainly in areas in the Midwest and Northeast, such as Washington, Ohio, and New York.
Despite the overall low global presence of the surname, the name may have a deeper history in Germany. In the 17th century, the Brinkel family of Schleswig Holstein (Germany), and the Brinkel family of Bugewitz Manors (now part of Brandenburg, Germany) were lineages recorded in the Journal of the General Meeting of the Westphalian Nobility. This may suggest the name arose in parts of what is now Germany centuries ago.
Today, those surnamed Brinkel are truly a rare breed. Despite the dormant presence in other countries, those individuals with the surname Brinkel have a common thread that binds them together.
Variations of the surname Brinkel
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Brinkel are:
Brinck, Brink, Brincker, Brincke, Brinckmann, Brinkman, Brinckel, Brinkmann, Brinckman, Brinkley, Brincler, Brinckels, Brinckens, Brinkelman, Brinkelmann, Brincken, Brinckelman, Brinckelmann, and Brinkels.
The surname Brinkel is a toponymic name derived from a person who lived near a particular geographical area or landmark and whose name would be taken from that area. It is thought to have originated in Germany or Holland and has different spelling variations due to the local dialect of the time.
In Germany, it is seen more commonly as Brinck or Brink, while in the Netherlands it is seen more commonly as Brincker or Brincke. The surname Brinckmann is also found throughout Germany and the Netherlands. In America, the surname has been modified into the spellings of Brinkman, Brinkelman, and Brinkelmann.
In addition to those previously listed, other variants and spellings that have been used in places like Scotland and England include Brinkley, Brincler, Brinckels, Brinckens, Brincken, Brinckelman, Brinckelmann, and Brinkels.
All of these surnames could stem from the same origin, with the spelling variations due to regional dialects. It is possible that the surname stem from an ancestor who lived near a particular geographical area with a name derived from that area. No matter the origins, it is still a unique surname that has multiple spellings and variants.
Famous people with the name Brinkel
- Fritz Brinkel, German actor
- Hans Brinkel, German author
- Piet Brinkel, Dutch painter
- Andreas Brinkel, German footballer
- Gianluca Brinkel, Italian footballer
- Adam Brinkel, American swimmer
- Ben Brinkel, American golfer
- Bart Brinkel, Dutch speedskater
- Nico Brinkel, Dutch equestrian
- Errol Brinkel, Netherlands Antilles footballer
- Gerco Brinkel, Dutch tennis player
- Charles Brinkel, German-American actor
- Lilly Brinkel, Irish actress
- Hank Brinkel, American baseball player
- Maynard Brinkel, American chief of police
- Gitte Brinkel, Danish figure skater
- Joe Brinkel, American football player
- Kenny Brinkel, American ski instructor