Surname Kandel - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kandel: What does the surname Kandel mean?
The last name Kandel originated from various regions in Europe, including Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, and is predominantly found among Ashkenazi Jews. The name is derived from the German word "kandel," which means "candle." This indicates a possible occupational connection to candle making or dealing in the past. As a Jewish surname, Kandel could have been linked to a characteristic or symbol associated with the bearer's family. It's crucial to note that surnames could hold different meanings across diverse cultural and geographic contexts. In some South Asian cultures, for example, the term "Kandel" is considered a variation of "Kandelwal," a name associated with a specific Indian merchant community. However, its interpretation may differ across communities and geographical boundaries. Surnames' etymological exploration can be a complex task, given the array of linguistic, ethnic, and historical factors influencing their origination and adoption.
Order DNA origin analysisKandel: Where does the name Kandel come from?
The last name Kandel is of German origin. The name derives from the Middle High German term "kandel", meaning candle. It's believed to have been an occupational name for a candle maker or a chandler. Despite its origins, the name is spread across the globe due to migration and diaspora.
In modern times, the name is relatively common in various countries, including the United States, Germany, and Israel. Besides its original form, variations of the name can also be found in different regions, such as Kandels, Kandelman, and Kandeler. In particular, it is a fairly common surname among Ashkenazi Jews. Notable people with the surname Kandel include Nobel laureate Eric Kandel and historian Walter Kandel. The name's prevalence in different nations illustrates the migration and dispersal of individuals with the surname Kandel from their places of origin.
Variations of the surname Kandel
The surname Kandel may have various spellings, variations and related surnames due to differences in language, culture, or personal preference. Some alternate spellings could include Kandl, Kandle, Kandell, Candel, Candell, or Kundel.
Variations of the surname could be influenced by geographical location and local dialects. For instance, it could be spelled as Kandele in some Slavic countries, or Kandelis in Lithuanian.
As for surnames of the same origin, this depends on the exact origin of the name. However, assuming it is Germanic in origin (from 'Kandel', a type of candlestick), it might be related to surnames like Kerze (German for candle), or Candle/Candler in English.
This surname could also be Jewish, derived from the Yiddish term 'kandel', meaning a chandelier or candelabrum, and used as an ornamental name. Therefore, there can also be surnames of the same Jewish-Yiddish origin like Licht (light), Lampert (lamp), or Fener (lantern).
Keep in mind that surname origins and links between them can be complex and uncertain, so this list may not cover all possibilities.
Famous people with the name Kandel
- Eric Kandel: Eric Kandel is an Austrian-American neuropsychiatrist, a senior investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and a professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 2000 for his research on the physiological basis of memory storage in neurons.
- Herb Kandel: Herb Kandel is a Canadian-born businessman and philanthropist. He co-founded the software company Open Text Corporation and served as its chairman and chief executive officer for twenty-five years.
- Mike Kandel: Mike Kandel is a composer and lyricist who has written for films, television shows, video games, and musical theater. He composed the music for the blockbuster musicals “Wicked,” “Avenue Q,” and “Legally Blonde,” among others.
- Irving Kandel: Irving Kandel is a Nobel Prize-winning American economist, known for linking economic theories and empirical evidence of economic behavior. He is currently the Emeritus Professor of Economics at Columbia University and the author of numerous textbooks on economics.
- Martin Kandel: Martin Kandel is an Austrian-born American painter and printmaker. Known for his highly stylized landscapes, he was a founder and prominent member of the Brookdale School of Painters and the Rockland Society of Painters.
- William Kandel: William Kandel is an American chemist who made many contributions to the field, most notably the Kandel Hall-Heroult Process for the production of aluminum. He was awarded the Priestley Medal in 1944 and the Perkin Medal in 1948.