Surname Hövel - Meaning and Origin
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Hövel: What does the surname Hövel mean?
The last name Hövel is a German surname rooted in Middle High German and is associated with both bold and honorable behavior. It is derived from the Old German word “hövelen” or “hövelich,” which is translated to mean “courtly” or “courtly manners.” This characteristic refers to the chivalry, gentility, and respect recognized in the Middle Ages as an ideal of courtly behavior. Hövel is also related to the word “hof” which is the German word for “court.” Thus, Hövel implies someone associated with courtly or refined behavior.
The title of Hövel is often connected to nobility due to its adoption by the House of Hovel, a Hessian noble family. The Hovel name dates back to the 13th century and is believed to originate from Wöllstein, Germany. Since then, Hövel has been a popular surname throughout Europe. Hövel families are especially concentrated in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, and Hungary.
Ultimately, the last name Hövel symbolizes sophistication, honor, and respect. It is also highly associated with medieval courtly behavior and often connected with nobility. People with the last name Hövel can embody these generous qualities through their own words and actions, living up to the expectations of the family name.
Order DNA origin analysisHövel: Where does the name Hövel come from?
The last name Hövel is most commonly found in Germany. It is of German origin, and can be traced back to the German states of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, particularly the cities of Erfurt and Magdeburg. A similar variation, Hovel, is also found in Denmark, with some records going back to the 1700s. The name is also found in the United States and Australia, though the exact number of individuals with the surname is unknown.
In Germany, it is a quite regularly occurring name and is still prevalent in some areas. It is also fairly common in Denmark, where a number of individuals are known to have immigrated to the United Stated in the 19th century.
The last name is likely derived from the German word, hovel, which means small hut or cottage. This is probably due to the fact that it was once a rather common name given to those who inhabited huts or cottages in the aforementioned regions in Germany.
The meaning of the surname can also be seen in its spelling: two separate letters of ‘Ö’ signify a double form of the word, meaning ‘bent hillside’, which would describe an area typical for small huts or cottages tucked away on a hillside.
Overall, the name is still commonly found in Germany and Denmark, and can be cautiously found in the United States and Australia. It is likely derived from the words hovel or hövel, small huts or cottages, which were quite common in the German states of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalts centuries ago.
Variations of the surname Hövel
The German surname Hövel is a topographic name derived from the Old High German word "hubele," meaning "hill." The use of Hövel as a surname originated in Germany in the medieval era and is still found there today. In addition to the original spelling, there are several variants and surnames with the same origin.
Variants of Hövel include Huevel, Höbel, Höbler, Hubel, Hubl, Hoebel, and Heebel. Spellings used in other languages include Hovl and Hovla. Some of the surnames derived from Hövel include Huble, Hovelman, Hebel, Heebeler, and Hevler.
The use of the surname Hövel has spread beyond Germany to countries including Austria, Slovenia, and Switzerland. For example, Hövel is found among the German-speaking population of Lower Styria, a region in Slovenia that borders Austria.
Hövel is also an uncommon masculine first name; it often appears in deed records from medieval German-speaking regions. One notable bearer of the first name is Hövel, also known as Otto, who was the court clerk of Upper Saxony during the late thirteenth century. Records from 1296 show him entering a deed of sale on behalf of Aachen's archbishop for the abbey of Winchen.
In summary, the German surname Hövel has several variants and spellings, and is derived from the Old High German word "hubele." Variants include Huevel, Höbel, Höbler, Hubel, Hubl, Hoebel, and Heebel; spellings in other languages include Hovl and Hovla. Distinctive surnames derived from Hövel include Huble, Hovelman, Hebel, Heebeler, and Hevler. The surname and first name have spread beyond Germany to countries including Austria, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
Famous people with the name Hövel
- Christian Hövel: German soccer player who plays for German club Borussia Dortmund.
- Jörg Hövel: German television presenter, model, and actor.
- Max von Hövel: German composer, musical director, and conductor.
- Richard Hövel: German artist and art professor.
- Corina Hövel: German actress and businesswoman.
- Thomas Hövel: German politician and Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party of Germany.
- Johannes Hövel: German poet, writer, and journalist.
- Klaus Hövel: German historian, author, and professor.
- Heinrich Dr. Hövel: German politician and Member of the German Bundestag.
- Karin Hövel: German medical doctor and scientist.