Surname Kagel - Meaning and Origin
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Kagel: What does the surname Kagel mean?
The last name Kagel is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. However, its specific meaning remains unclear as it doesn't seem to directly translate to a known word in Yiddish or Hebrew. The name might be derived from a geographic location, occupation, or characteristic of an ancestor but this information is not definitively established. Few sources indicate that it might be an occupational name derived from the Yiddish term "kagal" which refers to a Jewish self-governing body in a town or village in Eastern Europe. Kagel might also be an anglicized form of some other Ashkenazi Jewish surnames. Variations of the surname include Kegel, Kagl, and Kagal. It's essential to note that surnames can have multiple origins and meanings, which can vary based on the regions and communities where they're used. Thus, the specific meaning and origin of the surname Kagel may depend significantly on one's family history and lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisKagel: Where does the name Kagel come from?
The surname Kagel is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word 'kagal', meaning a ring or circle, perhaps originally denoting someone who lived by a circular feature such as a round hill, a ring of stones, or similar. Alternatively, it may have been an occupational name for a maker of hoops, rings, or links of a chain. The surname Kagel is predominantly found in Germany today, especially in the northern and eastern regions. However, it has been distributed around the world due to patterns of global migration. So, while it continues to be relatively rare, one can find it in various countries including the United States, Canada, Argentina, and other parts in Europe. Despite its global dispersion, the surname Kagel remains rare and unordinary, thus those with it might face difficulty in finding a comprehensive family history due to its exclusive occurrence and distribution.
Variations of the surname Kagel
The surname Kagel is of Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin and is a habitational name derived from several places called Kagel in Germany, including Kagel near Fürstenwalde, and Kagel lake near Gosen. The surname depicts a person who came from Kagel, which signifies a local name for someone who lived there.
Despite its unique spelling, other spellings for Kagel may include Kagal or Kegel. Name variations could occur based on regional accents, literacy levels, or simple spelling errors on official documents.
Some families might have also changed the spelling of the surname over time to assimilate better in a new country, which was a common practice during the waves of Jewish migration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, the specific spelling variants of Kagel are not particularly distributed, and it remains fairly unique.
It's important to note that while last names often give clues about one's heritage, it isn't always the case, as names have been changed intentionally or by accident throughout history.
Famous people with the name Kagel
- Mauricio Kagel: Argentinian composer of contemporary music, known for his experimental, avant-garde works.
- Jorgen Kagel: German entrepreneur and founder of various companies, mainly in the field of telecommunications.
- John H. Kagel: American economist who specializes in experimental economics and has received numerous awards for his work.
- Alan Kagel: A well-known attorney who has been involved in high-profile legal cases in the US.
- Martin Kagel: An Ancient Greek literature scholar and professor at the University of Georgia.
- Anja Kagel: A German archaeologist who specializes in the study of pottery from the Bronze Age.
- Claudia Kagel: A German psychologist and psychotherapist focusing on trauma.
- Judith Kagel: An author and educator known for her work with disabled children.
- Aloys Kagel: A German-Congolese footballer who played for FC Bayern Munich.
- Leonhard Kagel: A noted German sculptor and painter of the 20th century. This list represents variety in fields including music, academia, law, psychology, and sports.