Surname Dinkl - Meaning and Origin
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Dinkl: What does the surname Dinkl mean?
The last name Dinkl is of Germanic origin and is an occupational surname. It is derived from the German word 'Dink', which was an old low German word referring to someone who was involved in the production of leather goods. Depending on the exact geographical region and which period of time in which it was used, 'Dink' may have also referred to a tanner or currier, someone who processes skins and makes leather.
The Dinkl surname appears to have first appeared in the Middle Ages, when people began taking on hereditary surnames. It was common for individuals to take on surnames based upon the occupation or trade they performed, and it is from this practice that the surname Dinkl is believed to have originated.
Throughout the centuries, the surname Dinkl has grown and spread and today can be found in several countries and regions around the globe. It is most common in Austria and Germany, where the number of people with this surname is most prevalent. This is likely due to the fact that this geographical region has had a strong history with leatherworking, and thus the frequent use of the 'Dink' term.
While the Dinkl family name may be historically linked with leatherworking, today it is not necessarily indicative of a chosen profession among the people who carry the name. It is likely that the majority of people with this surname are no longer involved in the same profession as their ancestors. Rather, over the years, descendants of the Dinkl family have gone on to pursue a variety of different professions, trades, and occupations.
Order DNA origin analysisDinkl: Where does the name Dinkl come from?
The last name Dinkl can be found today mainly throughout Germany, particularly in North-Rhine Westphalia. The name is believed to originate from lower German dialects, with the root word “dinken” meaning to think or consider. Thus, the original meaning behind the name would have been “someone who thinks carefully”.
Today, the name Dinkl is associated mostly with Northern Germany, but there are some pockets of the name in other parts of the country, as well. It has also spread to other countries, such as the United States, where it can be found in major cities such as New York City.
Dinkl is not just a surname, however. It can also be used as a given name, especially when used with the Dutch suffixes -jan or -mar. In fact, in Germany, Dinkl is typically used as a forename meaning “little thinker”.
The prevalence of the name Dinkl appears to be growing. In 2013, there were 464 people in Germany with the surname Dinkl, representing a 9% increase from the previous year. The name can also be found in countries like the United States and Australia, although not nearly as frequently.
Overall, the last name Dinkl is still most common in Germany, but its global spread indicates that it is becoming a well-known surname in other parts of the world, too.
Variations of the surname Dinkl
The surname Dinkl is most likely derived from a Germanic personal name "Dinko" or "Dinck",54 and is thought to have been used as a given name by either Danish or German settlers in England or by Anglo-Saxon settlers in Germany – the two languages being so similar in many aspects. Variations of Dinkl include Dinkle, Dinkel, Dinkler, and Dinkelmann.
In Germany, the name "Dinkel" is a common occupational name, meaning "one who works with spelt", a cereal grain related to wheat. From this, it could be deduced that people originally bearing the name as a surname were grain merchants or farmers in ancient Germany.
In England, variations exist of the name in the form of Dinkle and Dinkel, being particularly found in the area surrounding Norfolk and Lincolnshire. In northern England, Dinlaby is also a common spelling. The origin of the variant is thought to be either Norman French or Danish, introduced into the Anglo-Saxon language at an early period.55
The addition of "-mann" to the spelling of Dinkl is also common in Germany, suggesting that the bearer of the name was either a tenant farmer or a freeman of lesser importance. Mann indicating the status of the bearer of the name. The added surname is also seen in Denmark, as is its variation Dinkelmann.
Overall, all the various spellings can be traced back to the original root of Dinkl, and the surname is thought to have either Anglo-Saxon or Germanic roots.
Famous people with the name Dinkl
- Friedemann "Fiete" Dinkl: Friedemann "Fiete" Dinkl is a German musician, playing instruments like the cello, bass, and keyboard. He is a member of the band Frida Gold, as well as a studio/session musician.
- Marco Dinkl: Marco Dinkl is a multi-instrumental producer and composer from Germany. He has written and produced music for TV, theater, film, and multimedia projects.
- Malte Dinkl: Malte Dinkl is a German music arranger, composer, pianist, and vocal coach. He has composed music for both television and film, and has been involved with several musical productions.
- Marcel Dinklage: Marcel Dinklage is a German actor who has appeared in numerous television shows and films, including the recent hit TV series Game of Thrones.
- Torsten Dinkl: Torsten Dinkl is a German football manager, currently managing the club Leverkusen. He formerly managed Nuremberg and Stuttgart.
- Dirk Dinkl: Dirk Dinkl is a German football player, playing for the club FSV Union Fürstenwalde. He has played professional football since 2012.
- Lars Dinkl: Lars Dinkl is a German computer scientist and professor of computer science at the University of Marburg. He has published several books on computer science and algorithms.
- Jan Dinkl: Jan Dinkl is a German professional poker player. He made the finals of the European Poker tour in 2011 and has won several prestigious tournaments since.