Surname Dittel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Dittel: What does the surname Dittel mean?
The last name Dittel is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word "diz", meaning portion or part.
The surname is most likely born as an occupational name, referring to a small-scale property owner or tenant in a larger estate. Others, however, believe the surname is derived from the Middle High German word "ditel", which means "axe". People with this surname could have been employed as wood-cutters and lumberjacks who used axes to help with their trade.
The surname Dittel is particularly common in the Bavarian region of Germany and it has spread to other parts of the world through subsequent emigration. In America, the surname is mostly found in Pennsylvania, as well as in parts of Ohio, Wisconsin, and Texas. It is also found in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.
The Dittel surname is also found in other variants, such as Dittler, Dittele, Dettel, and Dietel. Some members of the Dittel family may have adopted these other surnames over the years based on interaction with members of other cultures.
The Dittel surname does not appear to have any traditional meanings or symbols associated with it, and it remains mostly as a source of identity and pride for members of the Dittel family.
Order DNA origin analysisDittel: Where does the name Dittel come from?
The surname Dittel is a northern German surname, originating from the towns of Greifenberg and Niederthann in Bavaria. The earliest known record of the name dates back to 1372, when a Ktherinus Dettel was mentioned in a listing of local landowners. Although the name has since spread to other parts of Germany, it is most commonly found in Bavaria.
The name Dittel can also be found in other areas of Central Europe, particularly in Austria and Hungary, where it is also a common surname. For example, the Austrian physicist Wilhelm Dittel lived and worked in Vienna in the 1830s.
Outside of Europe, the surname is less common, but it still appears in the United States. The ancestors of today’s American Dittels most likely came to the New World from Germany and Austria. Records from the 1880 US Census suggest that the name was most prevalent in Pennsylvania, and it is still quite common in the region today.
In the United Kingdom, the surname has also seen a rise in popularity, particularly in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Kent. It is also found in Scotland, especially in the cities of Glasgow and Perth.
Overall, the last name Dittel is most commonly found in Bavaria, Austria, Hungary, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Scotland.
Variations of the surname Dittel
The surname Dittel is derived from the medieval personal name "Ditrich". Variants and spellings of the surname Dittel include Detlef, Dietlef, Tidel, Ditel, Ditlow, Dietel, Dytel, and Dytel. Interestingly, Dittel is also a variant spelling of the last name Dittler, which is of German origins and derived from the word "Dittel", which means thornbush.
Throughout German history, the use of surname variants was a common practice, as many people changed or altered their surnames to indicate a certain social or economic standing or to differentiate themselves from others who had the same name. For instance, the variants Ditelef and Dydtel are quite common and likely derived from the name Dietlef. Similarly, Ditlow and Detlef likely stemmed from the name Ditrich and became more commonly seen over time.
In the United States and other parts of the world, different variants of the surname Dittel may be found. One of the most common variants is Tidwell, which is a special spelling of the Dutch surname "Ditwell", a short form of the name "Dietwell". Additionally, Ditlef and Detinken are two Dutch variants of the surname Dittel.
In conclusion, the surname Dittel has several distinct variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin which are derived from the medieval personal name "Ditrich". Common variant spellings include Detlef, Dietlef, Tidel, Ditel, Ditlow, Dietel, Dytel, and Dytel. Dittel is also a variant spelling of the German surname Dittler, which means “thornbush”, and it is likely other surnames with Dutch origins may have a variant spelling of Dittel as well.
Famous people with the name Dittel
- Albert Dittel (1890-1973), German scientist and astronomer
- Bessie Dittel (1925-2009), American modern dancer and choreographer
- Edward Dittel (died 1931), American military officer
- Edwin Dittel (1880-1969), American farm politician
- Ernest Dittel (1883-1932), German Army officer
- Erwin Dittel (1919-2009), German mentor, coach and sports instructor
- Felix Dittel (1890-1966), German electrical engineer
- Franz Dittel (1871-1955), German aircraft designer
- Friedrich Dittel (1904-1988), German scientist and chemist
- Heinz Dittel (1934-2003), German engineer and writer
- Johannes Dittel (1868-1945), German military chief of staff
- Konrad Dittel (born 1937), Austrian racecar driver
- Ludwig Dittel (1846-1915), German architect
- Michael Dittel (born 1973), German physiotherapist
- Sebastian Dittel (born 1966), Austrian classical recorder player