Surname Hänssel - Meaning and Origin
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Hänssel: What does the surname Hänssel mean?
The last name Hänssel is of German origin and is derived from the given name Hans. Hans is a variation of the name John, which is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, meaning “God is gracious.” Historically, the name Hänssel referred to the son of Hans or a person descended from Hans. It is a common surname found throughout Germany and Austria as well as other parts of Europe, and is also seen in other countries, such as the United States.
In German, the suffix “-sel” is a diminutive form attached to a name to reflect endearment or affection. It is often found in both first and last names and can signify “little” or “beloved”. Therefore, the last name Hänssel likely refers to a beloved or endearing Hans.
In German-speaking countries, Hans is a very popular name and is found in various forms including Hans, Johannes, Hanssen, Hannes, Hannsen, Hänsel and Hansel. As such, it is no surprise that the name Hänssel has been carried on through generations as a surname.
Generally, the last name Hänssel is associated with the phrases “God is gracious” and “beloved”. It is a popular surname found around the world and is usually associated with German culture and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisHänssel: Where does the name Hänssel come from?
The last name Hänssel is most commonly found in Germany today. Germanic and Central European ancestors first used the surname Hänssel to refer to someone who was the son of a man named Hans.
The use of the surname Hänssel was widespread throughout Germany and was especially popular among German families living in the city of Berlin. Records dating back to 1590 indicate that the surname Hänssel was established in different German states, including Prussia and Brandenburg. During the 19th century, the last name Hänssel was also commonly found among immigrants from German-speaking countries who settled in various parts of North America, particularly in the United States.
Today, the last name Hänssel is still quite common throughout Germany. According to statistics compiled in 2020, approximately 4,226 people were living in Germany with the last name Hänssel. It is also one of the most commonly found surnames in the German city of Berlin, where more than 3,000 people share the last name.
Throughout the diaspora of Germanic and Central European immigrants, it is also relatively common to find households with the surname Hänssel in North America, especially the United States and Canada. For example, the last name Hänssel is found in approximately 600 households in the United States alone according to 2020 statistics.
Overall, the surname Hänssel is most common in Germany but can also be found in various other parts of the world, including North America, where it is also relatively common.
Variations of the surname Hänssel
Variants of the surname Hänssel include Hansell, Hansel, Hansl, Haenszel, Haeneel, Hanseler, and Hassel. It is an occupational surname that originated from the medieval German word “hansel,” meaning an itinerant peddler of fixed goods, usually household items. It generally became common because many of these individuals later went on to own stores or become merchants.
In Germany, variants of the name are spelled Hansel and Hansl. In the Netherlands, it is more commonly spelled Hänssel, Haenszel, and Haeneel. In the United States, some variants are Hansel, Hassel, Hanseler, and Hansell.
The name is found in many places across Europe, including Germany, Poland, Austria, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Croatia, and Slovenia. It is also found in the United States, where there are about 5,000 people with a variant of the surname.
Famous people with the surname include the German author Jörg Hänssel, the Austrian writer and sculptor Friedrich Hänssel, the art historian Käthe Hänssel, and the renowned artist and illustrator Walter Hänssel.
The name is often seen in combination with other names, such as Hänssel von Donnersmarck or Hänssel-Kahler. It may also be seen spelled as Ahnsol, Anschel, Ansel, Änsel, Hanselka, Hänsl, Hänslmeier, Hassel, Hasser, Hässler, Hazell, Hoenselaar, and Hönseler, among many others.
Famous people with the name Hänssel
- Sven Hänssel: German actor best known for his roles in Die Flügel der Freiheit (1991) and Suburbia (1984).
- Willi Hänssel: former East German Olympian and shot putter who won gold in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Jérôme Hänssel: American-French actor, producer and voice-over artist.
- Oliver Hänssel: German entrepreneur and CEO of gronkh.de, a German web video and entertainment website.
- Jenny Hänssel: German sprinter who won the bronze medal at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in the 400 m event.
- Anja Hänssel: German actress best known for her roles in Im Kreis der Liebe (2005) and Das Wunder von Bern (2003).
- Wolf Hänssel: German-American designer, artist and author, most known for his work in 3D printing and digital fabrication.
- Vanessa Hänssel: German handball player who plays for the German club Borussia Dortmund.
- Cosima Hänssel: German opera singer who has performed at international venues such as the Royal Albert Hall in London and Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.
- Vincent Hänssel: German actor known for his role in Ich, der Neffe (2009).