Surname Heel - Meaning and Origin
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Heel: What does the surname Heel mean?
The last name Heel is of German origin and is a topographic or occupational surname often used to describe a person who lived on or near a hill or hillside. It is also thought to be an occupational name given to a worker in the leather industry, as it is derived from the Germanic word ‘hahal’ which means tanner’s implement. This name is most common in northern Germany and is still in use in modern Germany, although variations in spelling exist, such as Hehl, Heil, or Heller.
The earliest use of this surname dates back to 12th century documents in Germany, where it was primarily used to indicate land ownership and geographical origin. Records indicate a Johann von der Heyl and his son Jacob both settled in London in 1572; the mention of Jacob’s chidren on various deeds of the 16th century suggests the Heyl family was established there for several generations.
The name Heel is still in use today and can be traced back to its German roots. Heel is believed to come from an occupational past and today is primarily used to describe someone's geographical or land origin. It is also a reminder of the historical importance of the leather industry in northern Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisHeel: Where does the name Heel come from?
The surname Heel is most commonly found in present-day Germany. In modern Germany, there are particularly high concentrations of the Heel surname in the Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria regions. This is in keeping with the historical roots of the surname Heel, traced back to the medieval period in Germany in the late Middle Ages.
While Heel surname concentrations remained in Germany for centuries, the surname has spread across the world as a result of German immigrants who settled in new regions and countries. Heel surnames can now be found in England, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada and beyond.
In the United States there is a notable pocket of Heel surnames in the Midwest region, particularly in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. The Heel surname is also commonly found in the states of Louisiana and Texas, as well as in North Dakota and South Dakota.
Overseas, the Heel surname also appears in the records of many countries. In the United Kingdom, the Heel surname is associated with the Isle of Man. In South Africa and Zimbabwe, the Heel surname is derived from Dutch settlers from the Netherlands. The Heel surname can also be found elsewhere in the world, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and parts of Central and South America.
Overall, the Heel surname is most common today in Germany but is spread out across the world in pockets and concentrations due to the global history of German migration.
Variations of the surname Heel
The surname Heel has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variants and spellings are Heel, Heeles, Heeley, Heely, Heil, Heily, Heilig, Helling, Hellinge, Hillig, Hille, Hilliges, Hilligesz, and Hilligs.
Heel is derived from the Middle English word "heel," meaning one's heel or hind part of the foot. In German and some other languages, the word for heel is translated to "hyl," which is why the surname Heel is sometimes spelled as "Heel" or "Heeley" as well.
The surname Heel can also be a variation of the German surname "Heil," or the Dutch surname "Hell," both of which mean "hale." The surname Heel can also mean "clearing in the woods," derived from the German word "heide," and this likely accounts for surnames such as "Heely," "Helling," and "Hellinge."
The surname Heel can also be found in some cases as the Dutch surname "Hille," which is derived from the Middle Dutch word "hille," meaning "hill" or "mound." In other cases, the surname is derived from the Old High German word "hildi," which means "battle."
The surname Heel has many spelling variations and variants, so it is important to understand its history and origin when researching family history. Each of the variants and spellings mentioned above can be indicators of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Heel
- Reinhold Heel: German former tennis player who won 10 titles during his career from 1985 to 1994.
- Erich Heel: Austrian-German alpine skier who competed in five Winter Olympic and won several medals in various international championships.
- Stefan Heel: German ski jumper who competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.
- Gabriele Heel: Austrian former alpine skier who participated in four Winter Olympics and several World Championships, and won the European Cup in 1981.
- Julius Heel: German javelin thrower who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
- Marlene Heel: Austrian figure skater who competed in the 1976 and 1980 Winter Olympics and contributed to the first medal for Austria since the 1968 Winter Games.
- Valentin Heel: German footballer who currently plays for Fortuna Dusseldorf.
- Jonas Heel: German footballer who plays for the under-17 side of FC Schalke 04.
- Hans Heel: former Belgian footballer who played for the national team between 1927 and 1935, making him one of the most capped Belgian player in the early days of the sport.
- Chris Heel: British director and writer who is known for the series “I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again”.