Surname Hirtel - Meaning and Origin
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Hirtel: What does the surname Hirtel mean?
The last name Hirtel is of French origin and is thought to have originated from the German meaning “man from the hirst” or “dweller near the hert”. The oldest ancestor of the name was located in Lenzbourg, Switzerland around 1350. The history of the name draws from the French dominion over Germany and Switzerland as it spread from the middle ages into the modern era.
The direct link of the name to its origin is unclear, however it could have been derived from being a habitation name or an occupational name for a person associated with hert, or hirst, which is an old German word for a heron. This could be an indicator that the family was connected to heron breeding, or possibly as fishermen in the areas near the heron's marsh habitat.
The Hirtel name can be found in many locations throughout Europe, demonstrating the family's widespread history. It can be found in Germany, Austria, Poland, France, and Switzerland. Today, the name is associated with strong leadership, courage, and ambition. It has been listed among many prominent people in the past, and is often connected to notable accomplishments.
Order DNA origin analysisHirtel: Where does the name Hirtel come from?
The last name Hirtel is believed to be of German origin, though its exact origin is unclear. It is still found in Germany today, particularly in the southern part of the country. It is also found in several dispersed locations across Europe and other countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. Research has shown that the name is most commonly found in Bavaria, one of the sixteen states of Germany.
The name is also generally found across states in the United States such as Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, Illinois, and Colorado. This is likely due to the migration from Europe of Germans looking for work and other opportunities. In Canada, the name is most common in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia with significant numbers living in western Canada.
The name Hirtel is not especially common; in the United States, for example, it ranks in the top 5,000 surnames and is particularly rare in Canada. Despite not being especially common, it is still found in multiple countries due to migration and increased globalization.
Variations of the surname Hirtel
The surname Hirtel is of German origin and is from the Middle High German word "hirzel" meaning ‘small village’.
Variant spellings of the surname Hirtel include Hirtel, Hirtl, Hertell, Hertel, Hartl, Harter, Harrtl and Härtel.
Surnames of the same origin are Hirzel, Hirzell, Harsch, Horzel, Hurzel and Hartzell.
Additionally, Widely-occurring variants of the surname Hirtel include Horsell, Horschl or Hurschel, as well as Horch, Herrschel, Herschel and Hurschel.
In some instances, the first letter of the surname may also be spelled with an I, as in Ihrtel, Irtell, Ihrtsal or Irzal.
Ehrtel and Aertel are two other variants of Hirtel that can be found in Austria.
Among the alternate spelling of Hirtel in the United States are Hirshl, Hearcel, Hearse and Hearzell. The surname can also be found under various spellings in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
In other parts of the world, the surname may also have been spelled as Hirstle and Hursell, in addition to other variations such as Horstle, Hurlsdon, Hurrsdon, Hirstell, Hursell, Hirzel, Hirtich and Hurtig.
Generally, the surname Hirtel has remained unchanged since the time of its first recorded instance in German records in the year 1412.
Famous people with the name Hirtel
- Wolfram Hirtel: a German novelist and poet.
- Christian Hirtel: a German business owner and founder of Peoplefone, a telecommunications company.
- Wilhelm Hirtel: a German pianist and composer who specialized in compositions for the classical guitar.
- Erika Hirtel: a German actress and opera singer.
- Tim Hirtel: a professional poker player from the United States.
- Dieter Hirtel: a former German football referee.
- Ric Hirtel: an American professional basketball player.
- Clemens Hirtel: an Austrian diver who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- Mathias Hirtel: a French sculptor and painter.
- Josef Hirtel: an Austrian composer and conductor.