Surname Fingerl - Meaning and Origin

Fingerl: What does the surname Fingerl mean?

The last name Fingerl is a German surname of Jewish origin most commonly found in eastern Europe. It is derived from the Yiddish word "fing" meaning "hand". The name is believed to have been given to a person with great skill in manual work or a worker who was employed with their hands.

The variant ‘Fingerle’ was found in the 13th and 14th century as a nickname for someone described as a ‘yzur’ or master craftsman. This may refer to a metalsmith, sculptor, stonemason or even a carpenter. The surname may also have developed from the term ‘fingersmith’- also an occupational name for someone who curved or elaborated pieces of metal.

Today, the Fingerle/Fingerl surname is commonly associated with German, Polish and Jewish communities in Europe and the Americas. Bearers of this name have had many accomplishments in the arts, sciences, education and politics.

In summary, the last name Fingerl is indicative of a skilled craftsperson. Its variants have been found in communities across Europe and the Americas. Over time, the name has been associated with an impressive range of professions and accomplishments.

Fingerl: Where does the name Fingerl come from?

The last name Fingerl is most common in Germany today. It is believed to have originated from either Saxony or Thuringia, although the exact origin is not known. The name is derived from a short form of the Germanic name Fingar, which translates to 'a fighter' or 'one who fought'. This connection suggests that the family likely had some sort of military background or were highly esteemed warriors.

The thriving city of Berlin is the primary source of the Fingerl surname in Germany. Various records and census data, such as the surname registry of the 19th century, tend to list more Fingerls in Berlin than any other part of the country. According to genealogical sources, the last name first appeared in the city during the early 1800s and quickly spread to other parts of the country over the ensuing decades.

Outside of Germany, Fingerl is also found in quite a few other countries, including Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. Most of these Fingerls are believed to be descendants of those who emigrated from Germany. Additionally, there has been a small number of Fingerl families found in the United States, mostly in the state of Pennsylvania. While the last name is not incredibly common outside of Germany, the Fingerl family is still widespread and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving family history.

Variations of the surname Fingerl

Fingerl is a very uncommon surname, with origins tracing back to Austria. It is not derived from any known first name, but is believed to be occupational in origin. As such, there are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Fingerl.

The most common variants of the surname Fingerl include Fingerle, Fingar, and Fingere. Other variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin include Finnger, Finck, Fink, Finkel, Finckl, Finkler, Finchel, and Finngel.

Fingerl, Fingerle, and Fingar are all Austrian surnames deriving from "fingar," an old Austrian word for "finger." Fingere is a modified form of the word "fingar," while Finnger and Finck are derived from "fingar" and a Germanic term for "a farmer or a countryman." Fink, Finkel, Finckl, Finkler, Finchel, and Finngel are all German and Yiddish variants of "fingar."

Given the occupational nature of the surname, it is possible that some branches of the family may have adopted more than one spelling of the surname in the course of their history. This makes it particularly difficult to trace a single, consistent line of the Fingerl surname, and any other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Fingerl

• Richard Fingerl, a German actor, dramatist, and director
• Jiri Fingerl, a Czech actor
• Richard Fingerl, a German jazz trombonist
• Heinrich Fingerl, an Austrian painter and film director
• Alexandru Fingerl, a Romanian painter and graphic artist
• Günter Fingerl, an Austrian actor, director, and dramatist
• Philipp Fingerl, an Austrian physicist and political scientist
• Amino Fingerl, a politician and former Prime Minister of Serbia
• Lenore Fingerl, an American costume designer
• Harold Fingerl, an Austrian novelist, biographer, and journalist

Other surnames

FingerFingerhutFingerhuthFingerleFingerlinFingerlingFingerloosFingerlosFingermannFingernagelFingert