Surname Hengel - Meaning and Origin

Hengel: What does the surname Hengel mean?

The last name Hengel is German in origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “hengel” which was used to describe a metal pole with a hook at the end. In the Middle Ages, this pole was used to carry items like buckets, flagpoles, and spears. It is believed that the name Hengel was originally given to people who worked as metal workers or were involved with military related activities.

The Hengel surname is found throughout Europe, especially in Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Records suggest that people with the Hengel surname were involved in industrial trades and were involved in farming and animal husbandry.

Due to the prevalence of the name, many variants of the name have developed. For example, variants of the name include Henges, Hengelmann, Hengst, Heng, and Anglich.

In modern times, the surname Hengel is still a very popular surname, mainly in Austria, Germany, and Netherlands. It is possible that one reason for the persistence of the name is its association with different professions, such as metalworking and farming. The name also has a long and proud history in Europe, with records suggesting that Hengel families were among the earliest Europeans to migrate eastward across the continent.

Hengel: Where does the name Hengel come from?

The last name Hengel is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands. It is a rare but widely distributed surname in both countries. The first recorded occurrence of the name was in 1284, when Johannes de Hengele was noted in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Over time, the name has spread throughout Europe, with occurrences in France, the Czech Republic, Macedonia, Sweden, Finland, Poland, and Luxembourg.

The most recent statistical research conducted by the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research shows that Hengel is one of the most frequent surnames in Germany, ranking around 5,000 with approximately 28,500 individuals bearing the name in that country. The Netherlands also sees a large presence of the name, with approximately 14,250 bearing the name, ranking around 254 in terms of frequency.

In the United States, it is estimated that there are over 4,000 individuals with the last name Hengel, distributed across 41 states. Most of the individuals with this last name can be found in New York, Pennsylvania, California, and Texas. Notably, there is also a sizable presence of these individuals in Canada, as well.

Overall, Hengel is a popular and well-established surname in both Germany and the Netherlands, though exhibiting a presence in many countries around the world due to population mobility.

Variations of the surname Hengel

Hengel is a surname of German origin which can also be seen in other European countries such as Austria and the Netherlands. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'hengel' which means 'latch' or 'hook'. Though the spelling of the surname has remained consistent in recent centuries the surname has seen several variants that have been used by some of its bearers over time.

The most common spelling variants for Hengel are Henkel, Henigle, and Hanigle. The Henkel spelling is primarily found in Austria whereas Henigle and Hanigle are more commonly seen in the Netherlands. There is some debate about the origin of the Hanigle spelling, it is believed by some to be a German-Jewish spelling variant while others suggest it is a variant related to the Hanau region in Germany.

Surnames related to or stemming from the Hengel surname include Hengle, Hangleman, Henglemacher, Henkelmann, Henklein, and Henkelke. The regularly seen family names such as Henkelmann are also considered variants of the Hengel surname.

Overall, the surnames related to or stemming from the Hengel surname represent a range of origins and spellings. As such, it is important to acknowledge the variety of spellings within the family while taking into consideration the spelling variations in different countries.

Famous people with the name Hengel

• Curt Hengel: American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
• Martina Hengel: American professor of linguistics and language revitalization.
• Mitch Hengel: American mathematical physicist.
• Robert Hengel: German explorer, research fellow, and practitioner in the fields of anthropology and cultural and social studies.
• Gunther Hengel: German historian and classical philologist.
• Baron Ranald Hengel: British Rear-Admiral of the features and a member of the House of Lords.
• Christine Hengel: German author, historian, and member of the German Academy of Sciences.
• Robert Hengel: German historian who wrote extensively on the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire.
• Rainer Hengel: German writer and television host.
• Jeff Hengel: American writer and humorist.
• Kurt Hengel: Austrian geologist who specialized in volcanology.
• Harry Hengel: American chemist and professor at the University of Maryland.
• Tim Hengel: American coach who led the University of Virginia's basketball team to an NCAA championship.
• Dietmar Hengel: German modern philosopher and medical ethicist.
• Len Hengel: American mayor of Wyckoff, New Jersey.
• Ingmar Hengel: German World War II fighter pilot and U.S. Air Force astronaut.
• Jeff Hengel: American comedy writer and sketch artist.
• Tom Hengel: American military officer who commanded the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Division in the Army's Iraq campaign.
• Axel Hengel: German World War II naval officer who commanded the German battleship Tirpitz.
• Volker Hengel: German computer scientist and author of several books on computer programming and artificial intelligence.

Other surnames

Henge