Surname Hefele - Meaning and Origin
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Hefele: What does the surname Hefele mean?
The last name Hefele is of German origin. It means “head of the army” or “chieftain”. It is derived from the old German word Hevele, which comes from the words “hef,” meaning “head,” and “le,” meaning “army.” The surname Hefele would have been the surname of a military commander in his feudal lord’s army many centuries ago.
In Germany, there are several variations of this name due to its popularity. Some of these variations include Hevel, Hevele, Heffele, Hebel, and Heverle. Many of these variations are associated with different geographical locations as well as different languages. The surname may have also evolved from other languages, such as French, Swiss-German, Italian, and Spanish.
The Hefele family is believed to originate from Bavaria, a region in the southeast of Germany. This is due to the high concentration of the name in that region. It is also thought to have been brought to other countries through migration.
Many of the people with the last name Hefele have achieved success in different areas, including politics, music, sports, academics, and business. They are considered to be of a noble lineage who have achieved great heights in their respective fields.
Overall, the last name Hefele holds a long history that is steeped in pride and strength. It has been used by many generations of families and passed down from one generation to the next. For those who carry the name, it is a symbol of respect and admiration.
Order DNA origin analysisHefele: Where does the name Hefele come from?
The last name Hefele is most common today in Austria and Germany. This German surname has its origins in the Latin name “Hefelius” and was first documented in the late 12th century. It was widely adopted by families living in the region of Württemberg around 1700 and has since spread to other parts of Germany and Austria. Today, Hefele is a top 100 surname in Austria and the 35th most common last name in Germany. It is also found in small numbers in the United States, Canada, and other countries with German and Austrian heritage.
The Hefeles of Württemberg were typically agriculturists or wooden barrel makers. Variations of the surname can be found in different parts of Europe. In Austria, many people with the last name Hefele are Roman Catholics, while in other countries they may be Jewish, Lutheran, or Reformed.
Most of the people who carry the Hefele name today descend from a single family in the town of Friedrichshofen in the German state of Württemberg. Descendants of the family can be easily found through genealogical records, and many still live in the same area today.
Variations of the surname Hefele
The surname Hefele is a variation of the Germanic surname "Herfel," which also has a variety of spellings and other derivative surnames. Spellings of the surname vary slightly but still have the same meaning and origin, such as Hafle, Hafela, Heafel, Hafely, Hefel, Hefele, and Heffele. Similarly, derived surnames may also have slight variations of the root name, such as Herfeller, Herfey, Herlif, Herley, Herly, and Heyerly.
The root of the surname, Herfel, comes from Germanic personal name Herifilo, which is derived from the Germanic elements "harjaz," meaning "army," and "filu," meaning "one who loves or likes." Therefore, while the surname may have many spellings, each of these spellings has the same root meaning of someone who loves or likes the army.
Although the surname origins are mostly Germanic, its usage also spread across other countries with German immigrants. In the United States, this surname can still be found most commonly among states with a large concentration of German ancestry such as Pennsylvania, where the surname is primarily found. Furthermore, in other countries such as England, there are also occurrences of the surname where it is listed as an English surname derived from the same German root.
As with many other Germanic surnames, the Hefele lineage has roots that can be traced back centuries. It is typically listed as an occupational surname, but in some cases can be linked to a certain region or other meaning that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Famous people with the name Hefele
- Archbishop Ludwig Hefele (1817–1893): Catholic theologian and diplomat born in Württemberg (Germany). He wrote several important books about Catholic Church Councils and was a proficient scripture scholar and Greek and Hebrew expert. He is most famous for his work on the Vatican Council.
- Paul Hefele (1809–1893): German professor of church history and diplomat who studied at the University of Tübingen. His work as professor focused on the development of Christian doctrine and religious evolution in Europe from antiquity to modern times.
- Joseph Hefele (1840–1925): German Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as apostolic vicar of Mainz from 1889–1893 and was appointed bishop of Rottenburg in 1895. He was a strong advocate of papal doctrines and wrote extensively about religious doctrine.
- Wolfgang Hefele (1941–2014): German composer and musicologist who focused on the studies of baroque and classical music. He was also a professor at Frankfurt’s University of Music and Performing Arts and served as head of musicology at the Academy of Music in Cologne.
- Bernhard Hefele (1919–1996): German operatic singer known for his bass-baritone roles. He was active in Vienna, Cologne and Munich before moving to America in 1952. He was well-known for his roles in operas by Mozart, Wagner, Strauss, and others. He performed and recorded several operas with the famous conductor Herbert von Karajan.