Surname Hoel - Meaning and Origin
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Hoel: What does the surname Hoel mean?
Hoel is a surname of Old Norse origin that's mostly used in Norway. It's derived from the Old Norse words "hǫfuð," which means "head," and "hólar," which denotes a "high or rounded hill." So, the surname could probably interprec as "head of the hill." The name likely originated as a topographic name for someone who lived on a hill or as a nickname for someone identifiable for their supreme or high-standing rank, much like a "head" of an organization or group. Specific meanings can vary greatly based on historical and geographical usage, and like many surnames, the exact origin and meaning may be unclear due to the passage of time and evolution of language.
Order DNA origin analysisHoel: Where does the name Hoel come from?
The last name Hoel originates from Celtic Britain. It was initially a personal name, borne by several medieval figures including King Hoel of Brittany and Hoel, Duke of the Cornouaille. The name is derived from the Old Breton “Houel,” which suggests a possible connection to the sun and light. It possibly could also be a locational surname from a place called Höel in Germany.
Today, the surname Hoel is still found in Brittany, where it's considered traditional. However, it's more commonly found in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Île-de-France in France. The name is also present in Norway, perhaps due to intermarriage or migration, but it is not as common. Due to French emigration historically, the surname can also be seen in Canada, the United States, and other countries but is not especially prevalent.
Variations of the surname Hoel
The surname Hoel can have various spellings and forms based on geographic location, language adaptations, and family preferences. Variations can include Hoele, Hoell, Hoelle, and Hoehler in German-speaking countries. In French-speaking regions, it might appear as Huel or Huelle.
Similar sounding surnames like Holl, Holt, and Howell may sometimes be mistaken for Hoel, but they typically have different origins.
Then there is Hoelscher, which is a patronymic version of Hoel, meaning it is derived from the father's first name (in this case, a person named Hoel).
In Scandinavia, the surname can be found as Höel or Høel due to the usage of the letters "ö" and "ø," respectively.
The surname Hoel has various versions in Celtic regions too, where it can be spelled as Hoell or Hoyll in Welsh or Huel in Cornish. In Brittany, a region in France with a strong Celtic heritage, the name can appear as Hoël.
It's always important to trace the genealogical and historical records to ascertain the exact origin and variation of a surname.
Famous people with the name Hoel
- Owen Hoel: An American actor who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including the Star Trek franchise.
- Wencke Hoel: A Norwegian-born model and actress who has appeared in many television shows and films.
- Inger Johanne Hoel: A Norwegian politician who was the former leader of the Norwegian Labor Party from 1997 to 2001.
- Nils Hoel: A Norwegian artist and writer who wrote more than 30 books on Norwegian history and culture.
- Ernst Hoel: A Swiss-born author and artist whose works of fiction are known for their surreal imagery and metaphysical themes.
- Knut Hoel: A Norwegian journalist, author, and publisher who founded the publishing house Aschehoug, which is still active today.
- Rolf Hoel: A Norwegian film director whose work includes the critically acclaimed ‘Family of Me’.
- Geir Hoel: A Norwegian composer, best known for composing several movie soundtracks and symphonic works.
- Kjell Hoel: A Norwegian athlete and hockey player who competed in several Winter Olympic Games.
- Marie Hoel: A Norwegian philologist, author, and translator whose work includes a translation of the Nibelungenlied.