Surname Egeli - Meaning and Origin

Egeli: What does the surname Egeli mean?

The last name Egeli is of German, Swiss-German, and Scandinavian origin. It was most likely adopted by immigrants from these regions to other countries, such as the United States, sometime in the 19th or early 20th centuries. The root of the name is the German word "Egel," which means hedgehog. This prompted many researchers to believe that the name might have originally referred either to those who kept or tended hedgehogs as a profession or simply to someone with a particularly stubborn and strong-willed character.

In modern times, the name Egeli is particularly popular in Switzerland and Germany. It is among the most common surnames in the region, with over 11,000 individuals having the surname in Germany alone. It is also one of the oldest surnames in the region, with records dating back to the 13th century. It is still a very uncommon last name in the United States and other English-speaking countries, with only about 500 active individuals bearing it.

In terms of its many variants, the last name Egeli also appears as Egel, Eggeli, and ELAI, among many others. Depending on nationality, the name has varied meanings. For example, in German, it has the connotation of "powerhouse" while in Scandinavia, it signifies "original" or "authentic."

The last name Egeli is an old and distinct surname with various interpretations in different countries. With strong roots in German-speaking countries, the name today is still quite popular among its ancestral homes and with fewer people outside these countries possessing it.

Egeli: Where does the name Egeli come from?

The last name Egeli is most commonly found in Switzerland today. This surname is relatively rare, but it is still found in many Swiss cantons (states). The German form of the name is either Egeli or Egele.

According to census records, Egeli is the 21,309th most common surname in Switzerland. The cantons of Bern and Zurich have the highest numbers of Egeli surnames recorded; around 2,500 individuals currently living in these cantons have this last name. Some other Swiss cantons where this surname is found include Basel-Stadt, Thurgau, Geneva, Basel-Land, and Aargau.

Surname distribution maps indicate that the Egeli last name is most common in the German-speaking areas of Switzerland. The maps also show that there are some individuals with the Egeli last name in parts of the French- and Italian-speaking regions of the country too.

Outside Switzerland, the surname Egeli is also found in parts of Germany and Social Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also common in the United States and other several countries around the world where individuals with Swiss heritage have relocated. It is assumed that most of these individuals descend from a Swiss ancestor with the last name Egeli.

Variations of the surname Egeli

There are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Egeli, although they are quite rare. The most common variants are Egelli, Egely, Aegeli, Eggelly, Aeggelli and Agelli.

The origin of the surname Egeli likely comes from the German or Yiddish word “igel”, which means “hedgehog”. Many surnames derived from this word, including Egeli, Edgeli, Eggeli, Egelli, and Egely. These surnames were given to families who lived near hedgehogs or took on the symbol of the hedgehog as a crest or coat of arms.

Although these surnames are generally associated with central Europe, they can be found all over the world today. In England, Scotland, and Wales, the surnames Egli, Egley, and Egley can be found, while in Germany, Austria, and Poland the surnames Egli and Egely are common.

In the United States, the surnames Eggelli, Egelli, Egely, and Egelli can usually be traced back to early immigrants who came from Germany, Hungary, and Austria. Records indicate that the surname Egeli came to the Americas mainly in the 19th century.

The spelling of the surname Egeli can sometimes be confusing, as there are so many variants and spellings. Regardless of spelling, the origin and meaning of the name remains the same.

Famous people with the name Egeli

• Christian Egeli: Christian Egeli is a professional landscape and figurative oil painter based in Virginia. He works mostly in the tradition of the early-20th century American realists.
• Ivano Egeli: Ivano Egeli is an Italian sculptor known for his large, public sculptures.
• Bjarne Egeli: Bjarne Egeli is a Norwegian painter and printmaker. He's best known for his figurative works and his oil paintings.
• Nathan Egeli: Nathan Egeli is a contemporary fine art painter known for his vibrant Impressionistic style.
• Barry Egeli: Barry Egeli is an award-winning visual artist who works primarily in acrylic on canvas.
• Sybille Egeli: Sybille Egeli is an Austrian sculptor and installation artist whose works combine humor with political commentary.
• Werner Egeli: Werner Egeli is an illustrator and printmaker best known for his kinetic representation of cities.
• Susan Egeli: Susan Egeli is an American harpist and composer who plays a range of styles from classical to jazz.
• Eirik Egeli: Eirik Egeli is a Norwegian-Italian musical composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
• Helge Egeli: Helge Egeli is a Norwegian poet and short story writer. He is known for combining traditional genres with experimental works.

Other surnames

EgelkrautEgelston