Surname Deufel - Meaning and Origin
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Deufel: What does the surname Deufel mean?
The last name Deufel is of German origin, although its exact translation is uncertain. The most likely suggestion is that it is derived from the Middle High German words ‘diuvel’ or ‘diufal’, which can mean ‘devil’ or ‘evil’. This suggests that it may have been originally used as a nickname or descriptive name for someone considered overly mischievous or devilish.
It is unclear when the name first originated. It is possible that it was used by villagers as early as the 12th century, although the earliest recorded use of the name was in the 17th century in the German town of Saar. The main bearers of the name can be found in that region of Germany, although smaller pockets are located in other parts of the country. It is also found in modern times in countries further afield, likely due to people migrating or descendants of migrants.
It is likely that the name was adopted by people independently, but its connection to the devil or devilishness may have been passed down through family tradition. This could mean that there is some sort of wild story or superstition shared between those with the last name, though such stories have not been documented.
Today, the last name Deufel is mostly associated with the town of Saar and is a reminder of German heritage and pride. It may also still be associated with the ‘devilish’ meaning that it had so many centuries ago, although it is mostly used in a completely unrelated context now.
Order DNA origin analysisDeufel: Where does the name Deufel come from?
The last name Deufel is most commonly found in Germany, with 61,756 people listed in the phone book having the same last name. It is also quite common in Austria, with 29,157 people attributed the same last name in the phone book. There are also a few people scattered throughout the United States - primarily in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania - who share the same last name.
The actual origins of the surname are somewhat mysterious. It is believed to be derived from the Latin word 'deufolius,' which means 'humble,' and some have theorized it was given to those who were humble or peace-loving people. It is unclear how the name migrated across Europe, but records indicate that Deufel is most commonly associated with Catholic communities.
In addition, there are several branches of the Deufel family, each with its own variant spelling. For example, Dufeld, Diufeld, and Diefel are all variations of the same surname. Some have theorized that the spelling variations the result of a politically unstable and largely illiterate Europe that caused the various spellings of the same name to become more widespread across different countries.
It is clear that the last name Deufel came from humble and peace-loving individuals. And while its ultimate origins remain a mystery, today it is definitively a common surname in Germany and Austria and is spread out across a few individuals in the United States.
Variations of the surname Deufel
Deufel is an uncommon surname originating from Germany and is usually encountered among individuals located in the south and central areas of the country. The most common variants and spellings of the name are Deufel, Deuffel, Duafel, Duafelen, Dufel, Dufele, Düffel, Düffele, Dufhellen and Dufly.
The name derives from the Middle High German words “duofel” or “duafel” and roughly translates as “apology”. It is possible that in medieval times the members of the family were known for their propensity to apologize rather than using physical force and thus gained the moniker.
Other possible variants and surnames of the same origin are Diefel, Dimofel and Divofel. Divofel in particular has its roots in the Middle High German words “difol” or “dival” and translates as “referring to dust”. This could have had a literal meaning in past centuries or could relate to a more figurative interpretation relating to dying or being humbled.
Other rare surnames with a similar origin are Dyefel, Defel and Devfol. The surname Dysful has a distant connection to Deufel, as it is derived from the Old French words “desful” and “desville” and roughly translates as “from the wild area”. The Deutschel and Deutschen families also have a relationship with Deufel, as they come from the German word “teutsch” which meant “belonging to the people”.
Famous people with the name Deufel
- Mark deufel: International recording and performing artist
- Stan deufel: American cinematographer
- Heidi deufel: Actress and voiceover artist
- Timo deufel: German professional soccer player
- Lars deufel: CEO of German aerospace engineering company
- Pia deufel: German environmental leader
- Matthias deufel: German racecar driver
- Klaus deufel: German endurance athlete and motivational speaker
- Friedrich deufel: German WWII fighter pilot
- Doreen deufel: Actress and voiceover artist
- Josephine deufel: German artist and doctor of philosophy
- Richard deufel: German architect and designer
- André deufel: Swiss electronic music producer
- Maya deufel: French artist and animated film director
- Sabine deufel: German Food Scientist and Environmental Planner